I worked as a waiter for a week one Christmas when I was in the VI Form. I didn't like it and never did it again.
Yet after emigrating to Spain some 17 years ago, I've done nothing but WAIT - at the bank; at the gestoria; at the doctor's surgery, the dentist, the optician and the pharmacy; and, worst of the lot, at the policia nacional and the foreigners department (extranjeria)!
[Adobe Stock]
I always have to wait. The same thing happens at the airport: at security; at passport control; and boarding.
Before Covid, during the various lockdowns and afterwards you have to have a cita previa, even for the simplest and quickest of matters.
Waiting on the police
Recently I was waiting at the Comisaria de Policia to make a denuncia. I sat there like an idiot for 3/4 of an hour.
Actually I used the time to catch up on emails, WhatsApp messages and Facebook and to make several phone calls.
Then I started writing this article.
[Cope Ronda]
When I was finished with this rant, what was I supposed to do? Go outside for a smoke? I don't smoke!
Go for a coffee? There is no café!
Nip out to the loo? Where? They don't have one for public use!
And if I had done any of those things, I would have lost my place!
So, I crossed my legs, grinned and bore it!
[amazon.es]
At last!
Wait! There was suddenly some movement. The people before me had just left "Denuncias".
It must be my turn any second. I'd been waiting one hour and 20 minutes, but …..
….. I WAS A WAITER NO MORE!
POSTSCRIPT:
I did my denuncia in just 20 minutes and then all I needed was a cita previa with extranjeria. The first available cita was three weeks later .....
..... so I was destined to be a WAITER ONCE AGAIN!
[Sindicato USO]
© Joe King
Pictures:
Adobe Stock, amazon.es, Cope Ronda, Sindicato USO
Links:
Beating the Spanish tax man ... or not? - Olive Press News Spain
Foreigners who pay tax in Spain stand to cash in from next year
HOW TO .....? Are GESTORIAS the answer?
HOW TO ….. Dodge the Tax Man (or not): Catastral Values and Tax in Spain
The taxmen are after you! - Secret Serrania de Ronda
Tags:
airport, bank, cita, Comisaria de Policia, dentist, denuncia, doctor's surgery, foreigners department, extranjeria, gestoria, Joe King, Paul Whitelock, optician, passport control, pharmacy, police, policia nacional, security, waiter, waiting, www.eyeonspain.com, www.secretserrania.com, www.theolivepress.com