Been reading around the web about the laws of our land, and it looks to me like whenever you have a complaint about anyone or anything theres some department to complain to. Now thats summat I totally agree with in the worst cases of anti-social behaviour, but pleaseee we are being encouraged to report the slightest misdemeanor
if we carry on like this there wll be no society left, we will all be sat in our litle boxes scared to death to go out in case someone don`t like something we do and report us !!

Do you think the government are right or wrong to be interfering so much in our day to day lives ?

Maybe America's influence?

I wouldn't say whingers but Panic-stricken seems more appropriate to me.

Originally posted by Funke88
[B English people need to complain more. The only way to improve service is to let restaurants know what their problem is so that they can correct it and make it better for the next person.
My dad's attitude about bad service is "we're never coming here again" He pays the bill and leaves.
A comment whether it be good or bad should be welcomed by the establishment so that they can make amends and change it.
I'm from a nation that rarely complains, whereas the Americans are certainly not shy about telling you what they think. Too much sometimes I can tell you and some people should be hung, drawn and quartered. I work in a hotel so I know about complainers; but they always leave happy because we fix the problem and learn from the experience.
[/B]

This was part of a discussion from August of last year about tipping in restaurants. I remembered that we’d discussed this issue before. I just believe that British people don't complain enough. They put up with shoddy, crappy service because they don’t want to make a scene or upset anyone. My parents are a typical example of people who accept bad service and just walk away without a word. Establishments need to hear people's complaints so that management has the chance to fix the problem and make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else. So what if Americans are influencing people? Maybe it’s not before time. If you don't complain they you get what you deserve. The government gets involved and implements laws. Rules and regulations are put in place to maintain high standards. For instance, in the food and beverage industry there are rules about sanitation, the hygiene of the workers and the preparation of food. In the hotel industry we have rules about safety and privacy of our customers. If a problem is not reported then someone's rights are being violated. Don't just go home and winge and moan about it. Say something if you are not happy or satisfied. Why would you be scared to go out? If you aren't doing anything wrong you won't have anything to worry about.

A classic example of litigious lunnacy was delivered in a news report in which an interviewer spoke to an injury-claims lawyer and a representative of the local authority.

The issue was that the authoty had been deluged with small claims from people who had tripped on loose paving-slabs.

The lawyer represented many of the claimants and argued that they had a legal right to sue for damages as a result of the councils negligence.

The representative of the council, on the other hand, argued that the money to pay the claims took away from the budget that could be allotted to repair the pavements and came originally from the tax-payer anyway (i.e. the taxes of the residents of the area would have to rise to meet the cost of their own lawsuits against the authority).

Both arguments have merit, the first in the eyes of the law and the second in plain common sense.

We need to stand up for our rights, but first we need to know what they are and then balance what we do next with a dose of common sense.

So the person that tripped and hurt themselves is at fault and has no way of being compensated for something that should have already been fixed? If the council fixed the problem early then unfortunate people would be spared from falling. That person may not be able to work cos they broke their leg, twisted their ankle, therefore, lost wages and possible lost their job. Who protects their rights? The council needs to get on with making sure they fix problems instead of leaving great pot holes in roads and pavements for people to trip and fall. Sheffield is full of roads like this.

Like you said people have to stand up for their rights. Lawyers are there to make sure these people get a fair deal not a raw deal. An uncaring city councillor is more interested in budgets and spending while poor Joe Blogs sits in the emergency room having a plaster cast put on his leg wondering how he's going to get to work the next day. Who then forks out money for loss of wages while he's off sick? This of course is an extreme "for instance" case. The city should just fix the loose pavings and potholes. Spend money on keeping people safe first. A thorough investigation of the incident and the scene where it happened should determine if the case has merit.

My mum's Auntie at 91 years old recently fell at a NHS nursing home. The nursing home was closed down. Why, because it had happened before and was never fixed. So, it wasn't the first time! They found other instances where the place was in total disrepair. Hazards everywhere. Rather than use money to fix the problems, they just shut down and moved all the old biddies to other places. She is still in hospital with a broken hip. No, she will not be sueing. It wouldn't be lunacy though if the family decided to. Who would they sue, the NHS? That would never happen because who sues the government?

I agree that there are 2 sides to an issue. Lawyers are there to protect both sides. Based on the evidence, may the best man win. A judge decides if the case has merit and worth going ahead with.

Originally posted by Funke88
I agree that there are 2 sides to an issue. Lawyers are there to protect both sides. Based on the evidence, may the best man win. A judge decides if the case has merit and worth going ahead with.
Except by the time you reach that stage you are either bankrupt or so poor (like the Maxwell Bros) you qualify for legal aid.