laura_seabrook | Telstra Service

The Telstra service technician turned up unexpectedly just now. I'd run in a call about how the plumber had cut through the phone lines and patched it up (albiet at 1/3 slower speed). The operator (in a weird accent) promised someone would be out soon to fix it. Now I get sensitive to dealing with people over the phone. The operator originally called my "Sir" and I lost my temper after they continued to do so after i corrected them. Face to face is another matter.

Anyway, the technician turned up and I went out to talk to him. At first he called me "mate" and "buddy". Mate is a British/Australian slang tern meaning "friend" and despite having masculine overtones (it originally referred to a "bread mate" on the convict ships that came here) it tends to be gender neutral in use. I went inside and decided to change my top. When I went out again he referred to me as "Babe". What was different? Here's...

and

Ha - had to laugh, because I don't think this was a conscious reference. Any it was all fixed and the net connection seems to be back to full speed. The bill goes to the Plumber, because they didn't phone Dial Before You Dig before they dug. The techo also installed something called a Lucas Box on the side of the house, so that can be opened for inspection with any future problems.

That's a relief. One less worry just right now.