Traffic Wardens

[breadstick]

Do you know anyone who is one?

it might be sterotyping a bit but any i have encountered have been very rude

i understand they have a difficult job in terms of the abuse they must get but i often think if they were a little bit more pleasant then things would not escalate in the first place

what are your thoughts?

[Baldric]

The problem is they have no sense of humour, I introduced my OH to one once, and he went mad, F-ing and B-ing in front of everyone, and him in Uniform as well, and all I'd said was, . . . "I'd like you to meet a man whose Parents never Married!"

[frugalfred]

I asked one traffic warden, "Where is the Job Centre?" He gave me directions, and I said, "Why don't you go down there and get a proper job?". I clicked my heels, gave a Nazi salute, and retreated.

[Buenchico]

'Proper' traffic wardens (who are based at police stations) seem to be a thing of the past anyway.

In areas where parking control hasn't yet been 'decriminalised' (such as Stowmarket, here in Suffolk), PCSOs with 'Traffic' flashes on their shoulders do the job (but they also carry out other PCSO tasks as well).

In areas where parking control has been decriminalised (which includes most large towns and cities, such as Ipswich) it's council staff or contractors that undertake the task. (So, unlike traffic wardens, they have no powers in relation to moving traffic).

Indeed, it's well over a decade since I last saw a 'proper' traffic warden anywhere in the country.

Most of the parking control staff I've met have been pleasant enough but maybe that's because I'm the guy who's always telling them to "get round the corner quick and nab those idiots who think that they can stop on double yellow lines just to nip into the newsagent's shop!"

[joggerjayne]

I think, on the whole, they we quite jolly.

I mean, not if you have a car. Around here, they seem to move at warp speed when it comes to nicking motorists. But I never drive in the town.

[ummmm]

I've only ever spoke to one traffic warden. I asked her how long I could park in the section I was in (mainly 1 and 2 hour parking) because I couldn't see the sign. She said the sign hasn't gone up yet so I can park as long as I wanted.

I thought that was pleasant enough.

[B00]

"I asked one traffic warden, "Where is the Job Centre?" He gave me directions, and I said, "Why don't you go down there and get a proper job?". I clicked my heels, gave a Nazi salute, and retreated. "

That's an awful thing to say and do! you're lucky he didn't beat you to a pulp, I know i'd have been severely tempted to do so if you'd done that to me.

[sidkid]

I know someone has to do it. But why anyone would choose such a spiteful and vindictive job is beyond me.

[Sqad]

Oh! yes...oh! yes!

A fantastic job and i would just love it.

The rules of the game are quite simple.....if you step over the time highlighted on your ticket or on the signpost and if you are parking on yellow lines........then you lose and I (the traffic warden ) wins.

Particularly smart@rse parents who have adoring children on tap, shopping up to the hilt and a vicious tongue.........LOVELY....get in there sqad.

Can't see the problem.

[berniecuddles]

LOL sqad you'd be the best,I'd bet you would run out of tickets in an hour LOL

[sunny-dave]

Have you thought about joining the UKBA airport branch, sqad - you'd fit their personality profile beautifully :)

[Canary42]

Spiteful and vindictive job ?

What a sad view. They're actually tackling those selfish motorists who make the lives of the rest of us difficult.

[gness]

Girl I made friends with when she worked in a fabric shop left to become a traffic warden....she never had any problems....she was cheery which helped, but then she was also blonde and very attractive....guess that helped too....

and Canary has said what I would have said next....x

[viv38]

But they get abused too on a regular basis !

[stewey]

I suppose that traffic wardens (by-law control officers over here) can be likened to doctors: some have a pleasant road-side manner, and others...Well! By the way, Sqad, how are you this morning?:)

[gness]

Stewey,,☺☺☺

[Sqad]

stewey...LOL....right on form thank you.

Forget bedside manner, medicine is all about the size of the cheque at the end of the month...........;-)

[grasscarp]

I expect Gness's friend gets called Lovely Rita meter maid.

[gness]

I second that, Sqad....to hell with bedside manner....just do it properly and don't kill me and you can have a cheque as big as you like.....☺

[gness]

She did, Grass...and was quite happy to dance along with it.....☺

[emmie]

the ones i have encountered seem to have little command of the language, perhaps that's just as well. huge money spinner for councils. They don't come around when there is serious need for them, two used to sit in wait outside a local pub, and watch - i was seated across the road, they simply waited till the driver walked away from car and left a ticket, don't ask me how, why, or was it legal, i only know what i saw. The signs up didn't say no parking either, usury by any other name