wrote in message ...
I noticed this apology from TfL with regards to the congestion charge
system failing:

â?oWe apologise to customers for any problems they are experiencing since
the transfer of systems to our new contractor this weekend."

I'm sorry, since when did drivers forced to pay a punative tax suddenly
become "customers"? If you're a customer you're paying for a service -
what
service does the congestion charge provide other than to get some bailiffs
turning up at your door if you don't cough up? Do the muppets who come up
with these patronising statements honestly believe that calling people
customers suddenly makes the experience of money with menaces ok?

Same way as parts of the NHS try to talk about customers rather than
patients. Similarly local councils (which one was talking ******** the other
day saying they are a "customer focussed organisation" - no they're not, we
aren't their customers, we're taxpayers).

Anyway, the other thing that should have annoyed you is the habit, in these
outsourced days, to pass the blame to contactors, somehow thinking this
absolves them of all responsibility. Whenever some body/company blames the
contractors, they need to be reminded that their "customers'" contract is
with them, and who they sub out work to is of no concern. Contractors stand
behind you, not in front of you.