Forum Topic

ealing station staff

I'd just like to say as an older citizen, how pleasant and helpful the staff have been to me this week, having to buy tickets to practise on the course for the Henley Royal regatta and then a train being late that might have cost me the connection to Henley at Twyford. A staff member showed me on her computer how the late train could catch up, and I would get my connection. The other pleasantry was the service and help at the ticket office. Good service needs praising. Unlike the awful Roma window wipers who have retiuned to Savoy Circus. whyu are the police not removing them. they look like exploited children to me.

Michael Wale ● 4681d9 Comments

I didn't like to say 'little old Indian man', but this does answer the description of the first of the admirable Ealing Station staff, who helped me. A charming man with a sense of humour, which he obviously needs dealing with persons such as you describe.

Michael Wale ● 4674d

I think the staff at Ealing Broadway station are very helpful and friendly. My favourtie is the little old Indian man. Last week, an irate business woman was having a go at him and was being rude. I thought she was bang out of order, but he remained calm and was polite throughout. He told her she had to phone the oyster number but she said, why can't you do it. She thought she was too important a person to actually do some work. Anyway, it is very tough work to be working with customers as there are so many rude and disgusting people who have no manners.

Asha Smith ● 4676d

I find Michaels comment about the Romas being better off under communism interesting. I have an Afghan friend who grew up in Kabul during the Russian occupation. They were better times especially for the women who had better opportunities and didn't have to cover themselves up. He never saw his mother veiled until the Russians left.

Kim Rugg ● 4676d

Under the communists, they were integrated, with education and the same rights as anyone else.But this all came to an end during the period between the fall of the communist system and joining the EU.There are Roma doctors, engineers and lawyers who did rise out of the bottom of the pile.But their life expectancy is low and very few of the educated generation are still alive. Most in the slums are under 40 years old.In Bulgaria most turned to crime. It is a very tribal country and all saw the ruling and political classes helping themselves and where they led others followed and as it cascaded down so did the type of crime from corruption in business and authority to robbery and petty crime.Now things are much more stable but the government is still corrupt, as are authorities and now the Romas are pushed right to the bottom and are in a hopeless situation.Most won't come here. Only those who are controlled by gangsters will be sent to seek rich pickings and many of those will try to escape them. But with little education and no skills, crime and sleaze will be all that they will fit into.

Michael Brandt ● 4676d

The Romanians and Bulgarians detest the Roma.In truth, their 'culture' of crime and begging has never helped their case nor has their refusal to integrate. It is quite easy to understand why their 'home' nations treat such activities with disdain and reject them.

Nigel Brooks ● 4676d

Most of the staff at Ealing stations are helpful,even though they're busy. They're particularly so with the elderly and the disabled.

Gerry Tan ● 4676d

If you saw the poverty that the Romas live in in Bulgaria ( an EU member) you would understand why they come here and wash windscreens.I don't like them doing this any more than anyone else.But I saw it myself in Sofia last month and was truly shocked. A african style shanty town full of hardship disease and depravation...in Europe.Not a casualty of famine or natural disaster but sheer corruption by mafia, governments and councils and a lot of it triggered by the EU and the scramble it created for wealth.It looks very much that the problem will get foisted on to this country in one way or another and as usual taxpayers money will get thrown at it with no results.

Michael Brandt ● 4676d

I've always found the staff there helpful too.  It is nice to have knowledgeable staff rather than just a machine.  The machines often don't offer you the sort of ticket want to buy.

Philippa Bond ● 4677d

That's good to hear (about the station staff).The Roma are sadly also back on the Hanger Lane Gyratory.They are working illegally and should simply be put on the next coach home.I was listening to a spokesman from the Romanian Embassy last week and he was clear that they are as big an embarrassment to the Romanians as they are an annoyance to us.The Border Agency (or whatever they are called now) are simply toothless.

Nigel Brooks ● 4681d