A Little Light Conversation

A Little Light Conversation

Even when you speak the same language, it can be difficult to be understood and an interpreter is required…

 

Me: “I think something needs to be done about the lighting down the side of the building. Now it’s dark when we leave at night, it’s really hard to see when you’re going to your car.”

 

My boss: “What do you mean?”

 

Me: “I mean someone could trip in the dark round the side.”

 

My boss: “Dark round the side?”

 

Me: “Yes it’s very dark when we leave at night now.”

 

My boss: “Of course it’s dark. It’s called night time.”

 

Me: “Yes, I know that. But it’s dangerous down that side.”

 

My boss: “Well don’t go down the side then.”

 

Me: “That’s where the staff has to park isn’t it? We have to go there.”

 

My boss: “The staff has always parked down the side for the past ten years.”

 

Me: “Yes and the lighting is not sufficient to see where you’re going.”

 

My boss: “There’s lighting on the floodlights at the front.”

 

Me: “Yes, at the front but not down the side. Someone could hurt themselves.”

 

My boss: “Well they’ll just have to be careful then. At night it’s dark and you obviously have to be careful. Everyone knows that. Why are you going on about it?”

 

Me: “This is like mental torture. Someone could get hurt and it would be your fault for not providing sufficient lighting.”

 

My boss: “Rubbish! How can it be my fault that it goes dark at night?”

 

<In walks the manager with Health and Safety responsibilities.>

 

Me: “I was just trying to explain to the boss that it’s really dark round the side at night and there needs to be better lighting.”

 

Manager with H&S responsibilities: “Yes, I agree. I told you last year that it needed sorting out.”

 

My boss: “What?”

 

Manager with H&S responsibilities: “Yeah, I told you that I tripped going to the car and that you needed to sort some lighting out down that side.”

 

My boss: “Well let’s sort it out then. I’ll phone the electrician now. We can’t have people tripping over in the dark. It’s dangerous.”

 

“If you want that good feeling that comes from doing things for other folks then you have to pay for it in abuse and misunderstanding.” ~ Zora Neale Hurston ~