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Well, well, this was a different occurrence in my life, but interesting.
At the end of December I received a
letter from the Office of National Statistics. Not to me personally but to my
address. Apparently, it was picked at random and started off ‘Your address has
been selected for the Crime Survey for England and Wales’ and stated that my
contribution to this study was essential for producing information about the
extent of crime in England and Wales, which is used to help reduce crime and
make communities safer.
The same day I had an unrelated visit
by a policeman in uniform who was conducting a similar enquiry, but strictly
about police. He was calling to hand out a pamphlet and to invite opinions. I
might have given him some but the request was to do it on line… which I didn’t want
to do. I told him I wouldn’t and he was okay with it. What was nice though was
being able to chat about the old days when I worked (to his amazement) for ten
years in the CID as secretary and volunteer.
But back to the O of NS. The letter from them informed me that
someone would call to carry out the survey and that I was to check their
credentials before allowing him/her in. It was a lady who called, hell bent on
making sure I knew who she was so that when she called again to do the survey I
would know who I was letting into the house. I also received a phone call from
her (yes, I gave her my number) to verify time and date. It seemed a lot of
preparation just for a few questions.
Did I say a few? In fact, the
interview lasted about an hour.
I was given two books, the pages of
which contained possible answers to questions, each page dedicated to a certain
question. I should choose one (for each question) the lady said, but half the
time I gave my own automatic response. Responses were entered, probably with a
tick or a cross, on her small computer. At first the questions were
understandable and easy but they got more difficult when aimed at the past,
like how many people worked in the building where I was once employed and which
probably no longer exists. I couldn’t see the relevance but it was okay to give
a ‘don’t know’ reply. My opinions of police, crime, and the community were
easily dealt with but it was not up to me to criticise or praise … just state
the facts as I saw them.
The woman made it more difficult
because she spoke softly and, as is common these days, her speech was hurried. I
bet she got fed up with me begging her to speak up, which she seemed unable to
do.
Well that was it, my good deed for
the day but I don’t suppose I will ever see any changes that might be
attributed to me!
Phone call received from the Department, checking on the attitude and behaviour of the lady who visited. I thought that was going a bit too far!
A WEEK LATER
Phone call received from the Department, checking on the attitude and behaviour of the lady who visited. I thought that was going a bit too far!
Wow you were good to sit answering questions for a hour! Let's hope your time is put to good use elsewhere, but somehow I doubt it. So when they phoned back a week later did you tell them that she spoke too quietly and fast?
ReplyDeleteHi Joe, Yes, I did mention that I had to keep asking for repeat questions (which probably made the whole thing longer than it should) although I didn't remember to do it until the end of the phone call.
ReplyDeleteI would not have had such patience.
ReplyDelete" My opinions of police, crime, and the community were easily dealt with but it was not up to me to criticise or praise … just state the facts as I saw them. "
ReplyDeleteValerie, I love how you said that because you are absolutely right! You'd make an excellent lawyer!
I also applaud you in taking the time to go through this process of answering those questions; especially having to ask for them to be repeated because she was talking too low. OMG....that would have drove me crazy.
Glad to read in your previous comment that you did express your experience with her and that it probably made the whole thing longer than is should have been.
I'm curious to hear if they contact you again.
Hope you're having a lovely Sunday, my friend!
X
Well they should have given you the Good Citizen Award.... The whole process seemed somewhat overdone besides annoying. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't like doing surveys, and am suspect of any inquiries. Call me paranoid, if you will. I don't know why I'm particularly leery of this sort of thing. Who knows?
ReplyDeleteFirst they come for your opinion, then they come for your feedback on the process whereby you have your opinion! :-) Welcome to modern life. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
There seems to be a growing tendency of some younger folks to talk very fast. It is very disconcerting, and often hard to understand. You were very patient to give up so much of your time for this survey!
ReplyDeleteHi Ron. A lawyer? Lol... I'm not and never have been clever enough for such a profession. I don't think I will hear anything more and I don't imagine I will see any results either. Sunday was quiet, everyone (including me) stays in to avoid the cold weather.
ReplyDeleteSJQ, I have never taken part in a survey before so I found it fairly interesting. It was the woman's quiet voice that annoyed me more than the questions.
ReplyDeleteCarole, how uncanny - I have just started to write a post on the subject of fast talking etc. Watch this space, as they say.
ReplyDeleteTroutbirder, I'm not sure we have such awards here. I could be wrong, though.
ReplyDeleteI don't like surveys as I'm rarely asked for my opinion and am afraid I am answering wrong. My husband on the other hand is all too eager to offer his. I would have had a headache at the end.
ReplyDeletekden, it was an experience I don't particularly want to repeat. However, look at it this way - it provided fodder for the blog haha.
ReplyDeleteI think they should give you a medal for taking this survey. I have such a hard time hearing I would have had great difficulty with the soft spoken lady.
ReplyDeleteDenise, I am willing to accept a medal if someone wants to give me one....
ReplyDeleteSounds like someone is getting paid per phone call here. I often wonder if these surveys are any use, but I suppose they must be. But an hour! you are a saint to do it!
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't too arduous, Jenny. I don't know about the usefulness of surveys and I guess I never will know.
ReplyDeleteThey don't make it too motivating to help out. It feels like they should be a little nicer because you are doing them a favor. And this is why I generally avoid them.
ReplyDelete