i Editor's Letter: Are we a nation of misanthropes?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
It’s fascinating to see which subjects grind your gears – or not. Dangerous dogs, that bedroom tax, the Philpotts (obvs), but more surprisingly, Simon Kelner’s call yesterday to be addressed as ‘Mr’ or at least with greater formality.
This came the same day as Katy Guest’s column for Independent Voices, railing against people for NOT calling her by her first name, even when she had told them that name. Perhaps, as Simon readily admits, it’s an age thing. Judging by the mailbox, it might just be a Grumpy Old Man (GOM) thing.
Take i reader ‘Jimbo’ Byrne, who rather objects to being called Jimbo, despite his signing off as such, and not James. Mr Byrne writes in to moan about calling his optician. He was greeted with “Good morning, you’re through to Specsavers at Hitchin, my name is Kerry, how may I help you today?” Which was enough to drive Mr Byrne apopletic. Judging by the rest of his letter, it doesn’t take much.
Well, Kerry in Hitchin Specsavers: how very dare you? How dare you be a friendly, polite human voice willing to please and based at the actual place Mr Byrne was calling rather than being an automated message, or a call centre in Paisley or Delhi? According to Mr Byrne and the other GOMs, they ‘couldn’t give a monkey’s’ who they are speaking to, they just want action. Inevitably, this led to trashing all Americans for their ‘have a nice day’ sign off.
Give Kerry a pay rise! Have we got nothing worse to moan about than people being pleasant to us? Are we really that stereotype: a nation of Misanthropes? To use that other apposite Americanism: you gotta be kidding me!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments