And in response – in one of the most comical viral emails of recent years – the civil servant (or funcionario) asks for the most staggeringly long list of paperwork imagineable. Some photocopied twice, others actually stapled.
So begins a dual of paperwork, in which the determined blonde professional manages to match his every demand and finally gets the stamp on her form in a tense standoff.
Anyone who has seen the short film 036, which is currently doing the rounds, will find it funny and shocking in equal parts.
But what makes the video by Juan Fernando Andres and Esteban Roel Garcia so scary, is just how true to life it really is.
For all the charms of life in Spain, it has to be said Spanish bureaucracy represents one of the biggest challenges for expats and locals alike.
And most have fallen victim to the well-worn ruse of hearing that a document is missing, so go away and come back another day.
Of course, by the time you’re back (the following day because most offices only open in the morning), there is a new face behind the desk, who tells you it isn’t necessary, after all… or worse, you actually needed to get a DIFFERENT document.
One friend told me recently that she had been to the bank to cash a cheque and despite being attended by the same woman who has served her on a week-by-week basis for the last six years, this time she was told she couldn’t cash the cheque without the company stamp on the back.
My friend explained that the company didn’t – nor had ever had – a stamp and so ensured a battle of wills.
In the end the cheque was cashed, without the need for a stamp, but the whole debacle took three times as long as normal to reach the same conclusion.
Because, the whole confusing situation is exacerbated by the fact that customer relations are still not exactly high on the agenda in Spain.
This was highlighted by a British employee of Santander bank, who emailed us with the correct proceedure, after one client wrote to the Olive Press complaining that she lost 40 euros cashing an international cheque.
“I get upset that customer service is sometimes so ignored here in Spain,” she explained. “I really want to try and improve this and always do my best to help people. I wish my colleagues tried to do the same more often.”
But sadly, no matter what you might think, it is the funcionario or employee, and not the customer, who is always right.
And if you lose your temper with them then you are doomed, thanks to the fact that they are practically unfireable.
Public workers, in particular, are hired through a process of official state exams known as oposiciones, and once appointed they effectively have a job-for-life.
On top of this, the percentage of government workers in Spain is one of the highest in Europe and last year it actually passed the three million figure for the first time.
Of these, 1.7 million (55 per cent) work for autonomous communities, 544,000 work for central government, 664,000 work for local government and 152,000 work for public companies and universities.
For without this huge red tape army the national unemployment rate of 20 per cent would zoom up much further and probably lead to major civil strife.
So bureaucracy is here to stay, despite most Spaniards agreeing that Iberian administration is simply filled with civil servants dedicated to the task of making themselves indispensable by making life complicated for others.
Even before Franco came to power in 1939 there were constant changes in government which saw each successive leadership using its own cohorts to run the civil service.
By the time Franco took over he inherited a state bureaucracy that was already corrupt and where confusion reigned supreme.
Making the most of the chaos, the civil service payroll often contained the names of friends and family of bureaucrats, with people looking after their own before the public good.
When the socialists came to power in the 1980s they attempted a mass shake-up of the whole system, doing away with some of the more confusing aspects in a bid to streamline it.
However, many of the bureaucrats clung on and there is truth in the phrase you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
So prevalent is the issue that a distinct kind of professional has actually been created just to deal with it, creating another layer to the whole bureaucratic nightmare.
Gestors, as they are called, are essentially local experts, who are on hand to help you avoid the obstacles of Spain’s paper trail, sometimes known as papeleo.
While you may feel that your problems stem from being seen as a guiri, the truth of the matter is that the locals have just as much of a hard time getting things done.
It is not uncommon for a Spaniard to use a gestor for any dealings they have with the government as it seems no one is safe from bureaucratic pandemonium.
It all feeds in to an endless vicious circle of jobs created to deal with paperwork created to give the new workers something to do.
Of course if you do decide to go it alone, there are a few ways to help overcome the red tape fiasco.
To navigate the bureaucratic maze you need to be prepared to walk away and return another day, be aware that everything will take longer than you think, that people will be unlikely to speak English, and that there is a chance you will be asked for every piece of paper you have in your possession.
And after all that, you just have to be prepared like the girl in the 036 film and have everything ready… including the hand held mini-stapler!
I discovered by accident that you need a beautiful Spanish women, with a wholesome chest measurement, to get you what you need. My total success was achieved through the good fortune to have a dynamic, evidently sexy, suggestive, personable and
charismatic beauty, who could charm the proverbials out of the trees. Instant success…..no agro! Just to watch male officials wilt and say ‘yes’ was worth the small fortune that it cost.No tears!
I achieved police cooperation, customs coerced, bank accounts at the drop of a hat. Keep it simple…..guapa!
"Six years ago we sat with Peter on the floor of his house, eating fish and chips, and he said he wanted to make Lord of the Rings like Tolkien imagined. One of the things is that the quintessential Tolkien battles are battles of epic proportion unlike anything we had seen on screen before. Spartacus attempted it with extras, and there&apos;s been Japanese movies that have attempted it with tens of thousands of people, but never on the sort of scale that Tolkien imagined. Helm&apos;s Deep is our first opportunity to really bring those forces to bear." To read more, CLICK HERE.
California-based Sierra Pacific Orthopedics unveiled its second campus in Fresno. Here are four take-aways from Becker Spine: 1. The 30,000-square foot campus includes a specialized spine care center. Sierra Pacific Orthopedics staffed the spine center with fellowship-trained spine surgeons and physical medicine specialists. 2. The spine center is designed around back, neck, spine and physical … Continue reading Sierra Pacific Orthopedics opens 2nd campus with spine center....
Muncie-based Central Indiana Orthopedics pushed forward with its efforts to build a new office in Fishers, Ind., according to the Indianapolis Business Journal. Here are five takeaways: 1. The new $13 million building is part of a larger medical campus. The total expense covers the land acquisition and construction of the building. 2. The medical campus … Continue reading Central Indiana Orthopedics Moves Forward with New Office....
Here are three things to know: 1. This is OrthoAtlanta’s 14th location in the greater Atlanta area and its fourth in Cobb County. 2. According to OrthoAtlanta orthopedic surgeon Donald E. Fowler, MD, the new office expands the practice’s ability to serve Atlanta’s growing west side. The Battery Atlanta office includes eight exam rooms, onsite … Continue reading OrthoAtlanta Cuts Ribbon on New Location....
Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies is constructing an ambulatory surgery and recovery center, according to Reporter-Herald Business. Here are six things to know. 1. The new surgical facility will span 67,000 square feet. The practice is building the new center to ease the patient flow at its existing Fort Collins surgery center. 2. The surgical center … Continue reading Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies Constructing Surgery Center....
Michael Chmell, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with OrthoIllinois, discusses outpatient total joint replacements in ASCs and where he sees the biggest opportunities in the future. Question: What is the biggest challenge for total joint replacements in ASCs? Dr. Michael Chmell: The first big challenge is achieving insurance contracting and fee schedule for outpatient total joints. Medicare … Continue reading Total joints in ASCs — key challenges, opportunities from Dr. Michael Chmell....
Juris Shibayama, MD, performed Middle Tennessee’s first minimally invasive outpatient transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Here are four things to know: 1. Dr. Shibayama specializes in minimally invasive surgery. For the past eight years, he worked to be able to perform an outpatient spinal fusion. 2. He performed the fusion procedure through two incisions approximately 1.5 … Continue reading Dr. Juris Shibayama performs 1st outpatient spine fusion in Middle Tennessee....
Keith Clark, CEO of Slocum Orthopedics, discusses the Physician Recruiting initiative at the 2018 OrthoForum Annual Meeting.....
Michael Behr, MD, OrthoAtlanta’s medical director, completed his eighth medical mission trip to Haiti. Here are four takeaways: 1. During his annual medical mission trips, Dr. Behr provides Haitians with general orthopedic care and surgical procedures. The people of Haiti travel for many miles, and camp outside for days, awaiting the chance to see the … Continue reading OrthoAtlanta medical director completes 8th medical mission trip to Haiti....
OrthoForum members, Twin Cities Orthopedics, partnered with the Minnesota Vikings to develop a sports performance center, set to open in 2018. With just under five months left before it is set to open, the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center recently surpassed the 70 percent completion mark. The Vikings are set to move in to their … Continue reading Twin Cities Orthopedics Partners with Vikings....
Surgical Care Affiliates invested in OrthoForum member and Columbia, S.C.-based practice, Midlands Orthopaedics Surgery Center. “Midlands Surgery Center is one of the most comprehensive and cost-effective options for orthopedic and spine surgery in South Carolina. We are excited to partner with the physicians of Midlands Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery to serve the community’s outpatient surgical needs,” said Nicole … Continue reading Surgical Care Affiliates invests in Midlands Orthopaedics Surgery Center....
At the Asheville OrthoForum Meeting, we had a chance to sit down with Dr. John Hicks, a spine surgeon of EmergeOrtho, to talk about his recent trip to Kampala, Uganda organized by On-Belay Medical in Knoxville. In Kampala, they were able to partner with local surgeons at Mulago Hospital, African Renewal Ministries and Wentz Medical … Continue reading Dr. John Hicks of EmergeOrtho discusses his time in Uganda....
OrthoForum Board Member Inducted as AOSSM President OrthoForum Board Member, Charles Bush-Joseph, MD, will be inducted into the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine as President this Saturday, July 22, during the society’s annual meeting in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Bush-Joseph graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School and did his residency in orthopaedic surgery … Continue reading Congratulations to Board Member Dr. Bush-Joseph....
OrthoForum member, OrthoCarolina, has been named Charlotte’s Healthiest Employers by the Charlotte Business Journal for the second year in a row. Their score was the highest overall for any company in the category for this year’s awards. The Healthiest Employers awards program highlights local companies embracing the benefits of health and fitness programs for their employees. … Continue reading OrthoCarolina named Charlotte’s Healthiest Employer....
Dr. Tom Carter of The Orthopedic Clinic Association in Scottsdale, AZ, a member of The OrthoForum, performed the clinics first meniscus replacement surgery. The procedure was done in partnership with Active Implants using the NUsurface Meniscus Implant technology. NUsurface is designed to decrease and alleviate pain, delay knee replacement surgery, and improve patients activity levels. … Continue reading OrthoForum Member Performs Meniscus Replacement Using NUsurface Technology....
Rookie outfielder, Dustin Fowler, suffered a serious knee injury in his first ever game with the New York Yankees, Thursday June 29. In the first inning, Fowler crashed into the wall and his knee exploded. Because it was an open wound, surgery was needed immediately. Dr. Charles Bush-Joseph of Chicago-based Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush performed a … Continue reading Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush Surgeon Performs Knee Surgery on Yankees Outfielder....
Members of The OrthoForum, OrthoAtlanta, had two leaders named to the American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives Board of Directors OrthoAtlanta orthopaedic and sports medicine specialists in Atlanta, Georgia, are proud to recognize the appointments of OrthoAtlanta and IntraHealth Group executives, Patricia Brewster and Kitchi Joyce, to leadership positions within the 2017-2018 American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives … Continue reading OrthoAtlanta leaders named to the AAOE board of directors....
OrthoForum member, Athens Orthopedic Clinic, has announced the addition of an ambulatory surgical facility in Loganville to serve a growing patient base. Athens Orthopedic Ambulatory Center at Loganville was granted a state license to operate as an ambulatory surgical center and opened May 15. This marks a first for Walton County, as the AOC Ambulatory … Continue reading Athens Orthopedic Announces Addition of Surgical Facility....
Nebraska Orthopaedic Hospital and OrthoWest announced Friday that they will come together under the common name OrthoNebraska. The move is not a merger of the two organizations, which have overlapping ownership, but a rebranding initiative, officials said. The renaming was effective Friday; new signs will go up Monday. “We believe the use of a common … Continue reading Rebranding Initiative – OrthoNebraska....
The OrthoForum is proud to spotlight members like Concord Orthopaedics. The New Hampshire Food Bank, a program of Catholic Charities New Hampshire, recently received a generous donation of$10,000 from Concord Orthopaedics, located in Concord with satellite offices in Derry, New London and Windham. This donation, made in honor of the patients, primary care physicians, nurses, clinical … Continue reading Concord Orthopaedics Donates to New Hampshire Food Bank....
The Buffalo Surgery Center and OrthoForum members, Excelsior Orthopaedics, designed a new facility to make joint replacement patients feel right at home. The 28,000-square-foot, single-story facility, which opened 5 months ago, is divided into 2 separate clinical paths for GI/pain management cases and orthopedic procedures, including total joint replacements. Four of the 16 pre-op/recovery rooms … Continue reading OrthoForum Members Open New Surgery Center....
OrthoForum members, The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics, were recently featured on FierceHealthcare for being one of the first practices to pursue bundled payments with private payers. The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics, which is centered in Virginia, the District of Columbia and Maryland, is currently working to develop seven initial bundles for various orthopedic surgeries, Louis … Continue reading The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics featured in FierceHealthcare....
Why the direct anterior approach for THA is the future Orthopaedic surgeons consider several factors before performing total hip replacement, including which approach to use. Traditional hip replacements typically involve operating from the lateral or posterior of the hip, which often results in significant joint and connective tissue agitation. The direct anterior approach is a minimally … Continue reading OrthoForum Members Discuss Direct Anterior Approach for THA is the future....
In a recent article featured on Healio.com, Anthony A. Romeo, MD, references The OrthoForum; The business of orthopedic care is managed by the health system, and at its discretion, information is shared to the department leadership. However, this information is often processed in a way that does not accurately provide a clear understanding of the … Continue reading OrthoForum Working to Represent Interests of Orthopedic Surgeons....
Photo courtesy of AAOS On Friday, May 1, Michael McCaslin, Principal of Somerset CPAs, P.C., and Glenn Sumner, CEO of OrthoTennessee and OrthoForum President, presented at the 2015 National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference on the future of private practice. Aside from their National Annual Meeting, this conference is one of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ … Continue reading OrthoForum Presents at the 2015 National Orthopaedic Leadership Conference....
On Tuesday, April 14, the Senate approved the Medicare and CHIP Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2) in a 92-8 vote, meeting much applause from orthopaedic providers and the American Association for Orthopaedic Surgeons. The bill was then signed by President Obama on Thursday, April 16. The momentous move on behalf of the Senate culminates in the … Continue reading Orthopaedic Providers Rejoice as SGR Repeal Makes Waves....
Last month, Aetna announced its proposition to acquire Humana, which would make Aetna the second largest insurer in the country. Because of Humana’s large share of Medicaid Advantage customers, this signifies a landmark health merger, which would bring Aetna’s total Advantage members to approximately 4.4 million. Bruce D. Broussard, president and CEO of Humana had … Continue reading Aetna Announces Planned Merger with Humana....
Shortly after Aetna and Humana announced their planned merger, Anthem and Cigna followed suit. On Friday, July 24, Anthem made public its definitive agreement to acquire Cigna Corporation for a total valued transaction of $54.2 billion. Currently, Anthem is the nation’s second largest health insurer. Merging with Cigna would culminate in the creation of the … Continue reading Anthem to Acquire Cigna....
The hazard perception test has its own uniqueness to describe in the driving theory test. It is the second part of driving theory test. The Driver vehicle license agency has introduced the hazard perception test to reduce the mishap happening on the road. The inexperienced drivers are unknowingly involved in accidents where the other road user has to tolerate this mishap. Introduction of the hazard perception test was important to increase the hazard awareness among new learner drivers and inexperienced drivers on the road.
The hazard perception test was introduced in the year 2002 by the Driving Standard Agency (DSA). The learner driver�s skills can be improved only when the learner will assume themselves as a driver driving a vehicle. There are 14 video clips in which the learner has to identify the actual hazard. There are 15 hazards and one clip has two developing hazards. The hazard has road scenes features and developing hazard allows the driver to change the direction, speed and sometimes to stop. The scoring mechanism work as 5 marks for each hazard and total score for 15 hazards is 75 marks. The learner has to score minimum 44 marks to pass the hazard perception test. The learner has to understand the road scenes hazards and then they can take the step accordingly.
The above given road hazards are the barriers and obstruction on the road against vehicle where the driver has to hit the hazard and drive safely. The hazard has many features but the only thing is when the learner understands the hazard can overcome and drive safely on the road. The driving safely on the road is easy if the driver observe the upcoming hazards on the road. So try to drive vigilantly on the road with full concentration and anticipation.
The Botswana Movement for Democracy has learnt with utter sadness of the passing away of a media icon of our times; Beata Kasale. Ausi B, as she was affectionately known, was a champion of truth, openness and transparency, both in social and political life. We remember her as a self-contained human full of love, happiness and a desire to see Botswana and world as better place for all humanity. She did not only go through the ranks to be a celebrated media icon; she was a co- founder of the Voice Newspaper, a liberal media house which remains amongst the most selling newspapers of our times.
Ausi B went against all odds in male dominated media industry, to not only be a celebrated media icon and a co-founder of a powerful media house. She was to employ a lot of young talent, nurturing them to be meaningful contributors to the development of not only this nation but also to be torch bearers, and jealously guard the gains made by our fore fathers in the democratic dispensation of our society.
Amongst the many of those who went through her employ, mentoring and nurturing, have left the media fraternity and contribute to nation building and development in many areas of our society. Others continue to sparkle her legacy in the media industry, to ensure that the media be given the appropriate space and freedom. The BMD recognise that this is a difficult moment for all of you and we are with you at this hour, this moment and this period of such a devastating loss to humanity.
Ausi B has been through all the battles to ensure that media is allowed the space to embark on its true purpose as a fourth estate. Through this journey, she fought laws and regulations threatening liberal democracy and media freedom in Botswana and the world. The laws she fought remain a threat not only to Botswana but the world. We trust that her journey of media emancipation shall continue to be carried forward and the BMD shall be a part of this journey through out.
With her resilient spirit and dedication, amidst the indirect and blanket advertising ban by the Government of Botswana, Ausi B continued to lead the Voice Newspaper to adaptation through a journey of heavy social media presence. Spending little resources at its disposal, the Voice Newspaper continue to reach particularly young and cosmopolitan audiences. These audiences had due to diminishing buying power as a result of both the local and global economy, given up on buying hard copy newspapers.
We at the Botswana Movement for Democracy, and indeed on behalf of the African Liberal Network (ALN) and the Liberal International (LI) send our heartfelt condolences to the family of Beata Kasale, her husband, her children, her grandchildren, staff at Voice Newspaper, the media fraternity as a whole, her friends; locally, regionally and internationally and indeed the nation of Botswana as a whole at this hour that only serenity shall prevail over.
Many of the techniques used to treat a communication disorders don’t look like “speech therapy.” Many parents expect to see their child sitting at a table and working on their speech. The fact is, the more senses involved in learning, the more you remember. That’s why most of us can still sing nursery rhymes or camp songs with hand motions well into adulthood.
Movement, touching, tasting, seeing, hearing, singing, dancing, and laughing are all speech therapy. At Therapy Time, we incorporate the activities that spark your child’s interest and expand with as many senses as possible. If your child likes trains, we play with trains. We sing songs with our trains. We paint with trains. We pretend we are trains. We make train themed snacks and art together. We can count, learn colors, take turns, and travel the alphabet for phonemic awareness and articulation with our trains. The options are endless. As we play with our trains, we can add themes and concepts which expand your child’s interests, vocabulary, and communication. All while having fun! Fun and functional therapy.
Online retail store that offers make-up products including pretreatments, daily moisturizers, masks, age-defying, sensitive skin, specialized treatments and much more.
Details: Take 30% off any order of $75 or more, only at onestopderm.com. Top brands like Z Bigatti and Clarisonic
Details: Customer Appreciation Event: Receive an amazing 33% off all products plus FREE UPS ground shipping at www.zbigatti.com from 10-1-08 to 10-14-08. While supplies last - some restrictions apply.
Warlingham is a traditional English village in the Tandridge area of Surrey. It�s just over 14 miles from the centre of London and just over 22 miles from the county town of Guildford. Its population is nearing 8,000 and its location makes it an attractive prospect for potential homeowners. Home to three historically manors Warlingham has regular housing stock of different types including large spacious detached properties and modern semi-detached and townhouses. The average property price in Tandridge is �366,584 and removal companies are on hand to assist anyone hoping to move into the area, whether looking for an apartment or detached home.
Warlingham is efficiently served by two local train stations. Upper Warlingham offers fast services into London Victoria and London Bridge whilst Whyteleafe has slower trains that run to London and Caterham. The village is also served by several buses to other local towns. Moving to Warlingham is a popular choice for families where at least one member is commuting to work but the family as a whole want to enjoy village life. Removals in Warlinghams can be for newcomers to the area or people moving from one part of the village to another. Warlingham Civil Parish also offers a range of local events and facilities.
Moving home from Warlingham? you might need the parking permission from council to park the removals van in front of your property.