tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post1876084533070630398..comments2023-10-28T22:19:47.598+08:00Comments on RACONTEUR-ESQUE SCRIBBLINGS: RunaroundTerra Shieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00039195435967190497noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-10193744614949206762012-05-24T20:46:06.659+08:002012-05-24T20:46:06.659+08:00I guess your friend's story kind of validates ...I guess your friend's story kind of validates it. A pity he had to part with $500 extra though... he could have used it to pay someone to drive him around insteadTerra Shieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00039195435967190497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-6486561347094252792012-05-24T20:43:03.172+08:002012-05-24T20:43:03.172+08:00From what I've heard, it's not common in A...From what I've heard, it's not common in Australia. I heard on the radio once where someone who has friends who've migrated to Australia complained to him that it's almost impossible to bribe an Aussie govt servant.Terra Shieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00039195435967190497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-72578574471065449282012-05-24T20:32:02.778+08:002012-05-24T20:32:02.778+08:00That's what they're called... they do the ...That's what they're called... they do the running around to help you settle stuff in govt agencies which will otherwise take a whole day for a fee. <br /><br />And yes, I truly prefer machines to people now.Terra Shieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00039195435967190497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-40173307246973556642012-05-24T17:33:56.803+08:002012-05-24T17:33:56.803+08:00I'm afraid it's more like a human problem....<b>I'm afraid</b> it's more like a human problem... :)RCBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13073914022690759457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-1391257981500161062012-05-23T05:50:31.358+08:002012-05-23T05:50:31.358+08:00Almost all red tape in Asian countries seems to re...Almost all red tape in Asian countries seems to require extra "handling" fees. It's part of the culture.<br /><br />We don't have it in Australia, or if we do, I've managed to live my whole life without encountering it.<br /><br />About 20 years ago a friend of mine was told if he paid a certain amount to a bent cop that his DUI charge (his third, so he was looking at losing his licence for a long time) would be looked upon more favourably so he duly handed over $500.00. He STILL got a $2000 fine and lost his licence for six months anyway.nursemyrahttp://nursemyra.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-86436113288672236782012-05-23T03:13:11.710+08:002012-05-23T03:13:11.710+08:00I see now what you meant when you told me you'...<b>I see now what you meant when you told me you'd rather deal with computers.</b> My goodness, that's quite a story. Runners, too... Is that a fact? The things that people do for an extra buck.RCBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13073914022690759457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-81807030511279295982012-05-22T22:41:43.707+08:002012-05-22T22:41:43.707+08:00I thought it's more of an Asian problem...I thought it's more of an Asian problem...Terra Shieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00039195435967190497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-4437202537975648522012-05-21T10:58:37.611+08:002012-05-21T10:58:37.611+08:00Unfortunately, this is "the same old story&qu...Unfortunately, this is "the same old story" everywhere. Sorry to hear about your problems.Crack You Whiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03071785490304845124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-27300132857933305032012-05-20T18:28:23.420+08:002012-05-20T18:28:23.420+08:00Now I know.. ha ha.
Thanks for dropping by :)Now I know.. ha ha. <br /><br />Thanks for dropping by :)Terra Shieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00039195435967190497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-78790444720148308602012-05-20T16:03:14.096+08:002012-05-20T16:03:14.096+08:00Its always a pain when you have to deal with corru...Its always a pain when you have to deal with corrupted lazy people. hope things start going better for you - thanks for the post<br />Take a stop by my <a href="http://stuffguy7.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">blog</a> and check it out if you get a chance.<br />-Sg7<br /><a href="http://stuffguy7.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">http://stuffguy7.blogspot.com</a>StuffGuy7https://www.blogger.com/profile/10614070541852262409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-60366781366866489022012-05-20T14:55:46.695+08:002012-05-20T14:55:46.695+08:00Roughly. They don't ask for it openly, but tha...Roughly. They don't ask for it openly, but that's the impression you get after talking to the parties involved. :(Terra Shieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00039195435967190497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-90100156894641540022012-05-20T09:01:29.972+08:002012-05-20T09:01:29.972+08:00Wow. So basically, you have to bribe someone to g...Wow. So basically, you have to bribe someone to get the required forms completed?Secret Agent Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07564690116156754219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-8105300435570753492012-05-19T20:22:38.858+08:002012-05-19T20:22:38.858+08:00Lets not forget the morning 10 am break, and the 3...Lets not forget the morning 10 am break, and the 3 pm tea breaks where no one will answer your calls. It's so infuriating.Terra Shieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00039195435967190497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-65251312287296401572012-05-19T20:21:07.872+08:002012-05-19T20:21:07.872+08:00Indeed. It becomes a habit of sorts and leaves the...Indeed. It becomes a habit of sorts and leaves the people who want to follow the system at a loss. To go with the flow or not? That bribing the cops to not give you a ticket happens here too, Azra, although I've heard that there's now a place where you can lodge a complaint if you've been asked for 'money' to escape from being issued a summon.Terra Shieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00039195435967190497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-23572130886061075042012-05-19T20:18:14.056+08:002012-05-19T20:18:14.056+08:00Well, that's how it should be - us handling ou...Well, that's how it should be - us handling our own forms and settling things ourselves (unless we're not capable of doing so for various reasons)<br /><br />Maybe delays are inevitable if the government is short staffed, but in Malaysia, the civil service is actually bloated with too many staff, they should be able to do things. Anyway, I was there and most of them were like slugs, just waiting for their Friday afternoon break.Terra Shieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00039195435967190497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-69754598541824687662012-05-19T20:13:58.114+08:002012-05-19T20:13:58.114+08:00Yeah, I guess you're probably still young enou...Yeah, I guess you're probably still young enough to not have to deal too much with government agencies at the moment.Terra Shieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00039195435967190497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-48878497419168435402012-05-19T20:09:47.019+08:002012-05-19T20:09:47.019+08:00Actually, the Commissioner of Oaths' fee was w...Actually, the Commissioner of Oaths' fee was what I'd consider 'almost nothing' - although, like you I don't see why I had to take an oath - it's not like I was the one who repaired the car. <br /><br />To be honest, I also thought that third parties were there to only assist you if you didn't want to go through the hassle of doing it on your own. This was a really shocking revelation. I'm planning to complain to my local MP - after I get back my car, though. <br /><br />Thanks for the feedback on how it is in the UK.Terra Shieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00039195435967190497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-74891858603932421132012-05-19T19:26:26.677+08:002012-05-19T19:26:26.677+08:00oh dear. this sounds too familiar. and i'm sor...oh dear. this sounds too familiar. and i'm sorry you had to go through all that shit. i always think that government officials only work 4 days a week, with the weekend starting on friday. it annoys me to bits.JJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615777330854552040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-75580388635557517602012-05-19T17:30:23.410+08:002012-05-19T17:30:23.410+08:00Sometimes I think that when it comes to corruption...Sometimes I think that when it comes to corruption, South Africa is King. We don't need runners here, in fact people will do the job... but you can literally get whatever you want if you know the right people and "for a small fee". Here, if a traffic cop pulls someone over and wants to give them a ZAR500 fine for speeding, all they do is whip out ZAR50, hand it to him "unofficially" and the incident is forgotten. It's actually quite sickening because it ruins the system.Azhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11274624534284532361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-11735043465757586232012-05-19T17:29:23.377+08:002012-05-19T17:29:23.377+08:00That does sound like it is indeed used as a bribe....That does sound like it is indeed used as a bribe. Which is actually rather annoying. We usually only use ourselves for dealing with the government. Really that's all they allow. It takes a lot to get someone else to do something for you. They still make you wait ages though. Especially the DMV. The Department of Motor Vehicles. I hope they let you keep your car though.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12118816573712396453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-64176428634534690652012-05-19T16:08:23.282+08:002012-05-19T16:08:23.282+08:00That's pretty corrupt. Things like that are pr...That's pretty corrupt. Things like that are probably done in a similar way here but I wouldn't know. I haven't had enough experience with it yet to safely say.DWeihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01052727489537771147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-521312419336699422012-05-19T15:52:28.111+08:002012-05-19T15:52:28.111+08:00This just sounds utterly bizarre....having to swea...This just sounds utterly bizarre....having to swear an oath to prove the roadworthiness of your car? It just sounds like a spurious revenue stream for the government - what we have in recent years come to call a stealth tax.<br /><br />In the UK we do not have the kind of overt bribery that exists in many countries. There is certainly an amount of political and corporate corruption but this is so obfuscated that it is difficult to detect and prosecute.<br /><br />For some processes you might engage a third party to deal with a government agency (dealing with complex personal tax circumstances perhaps) but this is only if you cannot spare the time to do it yourself or are no good at filling in forms. There is never the suggestion you are giving people a "drink" (UK slang for a payment that has slightly more of a connotation than a simple tip).King of Scurfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06584303186903246427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-53962277287438089462012-05-19T12:28:14.677+08:002012-05-19T12:28:14.677+08:00Oh damn, how horrible. So it is a common occurrenc...Oh damn, how horrible. So it is a common occurrence. I guess the only way out is when the country starts doing stuff online so everything is transparent...Terra Shieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00039195435967190497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23144980.post-11045717725348297432012-05-19T11:43:25.933+08:002012-05-19T11:43:25.933+08:00That's the problem with this country. You need...That's the problem with this country. You need to 'pay' for most things to be approved. I have the same issue with municipal councils who approve signage licenses. It's an easy enough job to do it by myself but I'm left with having to pay runners to get things approved otherwise I'm stuck! Really corruption at it's worse! Hope you get your car issues sorted out soon.Nick Phillips (15/03/1967 - 04/11/2022)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01043552434776358684noreply@blogger.com