Being the generous sort that I am (some might call it "mug") I offered to post a rather delicate shadow puppet back to the Uk for my dear friend RV. Having beautifully wrapped it in a rather individual way, which I thought made the package much more exciting, I set off down to the 'postbank' to send it on it's way. Whilst walking through the park, a chirpy 'nordic walker' woman made some comment to me as I passed her. Understanding not one word she said I just smiled stupidly, and went on my way. On arrival at the post office, the lady behind the counter looked rather pained when I produced my 'paket', firstly I think it was incorrect by her estimation, that it should be refered to as a 'paket'....she queried me, and I appologised my my inadequate language, as is customary in these situations. Then there was the question of the 'corner', or rather lack of it. I had fashioned my parcel rather like an oblong shape with one corner missing. This shape was clearly not conforming to the post office's regulations of handling. I was aghast, mostly at the thought of having to return home with the parcel and 'build' a corner onto it. I mean REALLY? The woman cross-referenced her doubts with her colleagues, and they all agreed that, I could by all means send it, but it would probably be rejected by the sorting office, due to being the 'wrong shape' leaving me in all sorts of trouble, what with having to collect it and then re-pack it and re-send it and so on. Classic tactics for deferment of descision making. I was cornered by their logic, and had no choice but to return home and make it a boring oblong shape for the boring sausageland postbank. I trudged off home, praying it didn't rain on the way, and hoping that I didn't see the Nordic Walking lady on her second lap of the park, after all she'd probably been trying to warn me about my dangerous parcel shape when I passed her earlier....
