Me: Can I book a table for two for Saturday night?
Restaurant: I’m afraid we’re fully booked.
Me: How about the following Saturday?
Restaurant: That’s fully booked too and the week after as well.
Me: Well, when do you have a table for two on a Saturday night?
Restaurant: Not until after the end of April.
Me: OK, can I have a table for two on the first Saturday in May?
Restaurant: Bookings for May, June and July only open on the first of March. And, if you are hoping for a Saturday night, I would advise you to ring early on the 1st.
What recession?
And then, at the doctor’s.
Me: Can I make an appointment?
Receptionist: When would suit?
Me: I wonder could I book something for Wednesday of next week?
Receptionist: We don’t open bookings for next week until Friday afternoon.
Really, why?
maybe cos s/he hasn’t learned how to use the surgery’s computerised booking system properly? Otherwise bonkers. Don’t suppose you want to divulge which restaurant in Dublin is so popular and recession-proof, thereby undermining your chances of getting that May reservation (and giving them unneeded publicity)?
Because they have to offer appointments within so many days, so they only allow you to book them then.
Or is Irish healthcare not as much of a target driven bureaucratic nightmare as the UK’s?
C, Chapter 1, apparently they haven’t got so many tables for two…hmmm.
Sarah, no probably not the same bureaucratic nightmare but on the other hand I’ll have to pay €50 for the privilege.