51. Credit or no credit
Should I ask for a credit? That was the question. I finally decided to return a request form for 5000€ to one of those credit offers you get advertised in the mail.
That was last Friday. This morning, Tuesday, I get a call on my mobile phone asking if I would answer some more questions... How long have you been retired? - For a year or so... No, you've been retired since you're 60 so that's 6 years. - I didn't ask for my retirement until I was 65. And what credits have you got running? - None... Yes, you are owner of your house and you've lived there since 2000 and that must be on a credit. - Sorry, no, I have had that house since 1994... You said you've lived there since 2000. - Sure, I was living abroad and I only came back to France in the year 2000.
It went on like this for quite a while. I always answered nicely to the lady's harsh voice and demanding tone. At one stage I blew up and said:
- Don't you talk to me like that! I asked for a credit, you grant it or you don't but there's no reason to talk to me as if I was a criminal. She went on saying they could not lend me more than 3000 anyway, did I want it. I said no, I need that money to open my pottery business and that won't do, thanks. She had to finish off by saying it was 'refused'. Yes, thanks, good bye.
What happened to that country since the last 30 years? What's wrong? Is that so very difficult to deal with people in a kind and friendly way? It hits me in the face every time. I am not getting used to it.
That was last Friday. This morning, Tuesday, I get a call on my mobile phone asking if I would answer some more questions... How long have you been retired? - For a year or so... No, you've been retired since you're 60 so that's 6 years. - I didn't ask for my retirement until I was 65. And what credits have you got running? - None... Yes, you are owner of your house and you've lived there since 2000 and that must be on a credit. - Sorry, no, I have had that house since 1994... You said you've lived there since 2000. - Sure, I was living abroad and I only came back to France in the year 2000.
It went on like this for quite a while. I always answered nicely to the lady's harsh voice and demanding tone. At one stage I blew up and said:
- Don't you talk to me like that! I asked for a credit, you grant it or you don't but there's no reason to talk to me as if I was a criminal. She went on saying they could not lend me more than 3000 anyway, did I want it. I said no, I need that money to open my pottery business and that won't do, thanks. She had to finish off by saying it was 'refused'. Yes, thanks, good bye.
What happened to that country since the last 30 years? What's wrong? Is that so very difficult to deal with people in a kind and friendly way? It hits me in the face every time. I am not getting used to it.
Comments
I work as a receptionist at a community art center and a woman yelled at my coworker for not letting her daughter play on a dangerous sculpture outside. She was unrelenting, and poor michaela had to take her coffee break early just to escape.