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It’s that Time of the Year:
Pre-Christmas repeats are here again!
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by Man About Town
Why is it that at this time of the year we are treated to the same pre-Christmas Messages, Reminders, Official Warnings and Industrial Threats by certain Bodies and Organisations?
I admit there’s nothing wrong in reminding people about stuff, but every year it’s the same things at the same time with the same people. It makes one think why some of these issues are not raised or are important during the rest of the year.
Let me give you some examples:
Dutiable goods
Customs reminds us all in a press notice that because of the impending Christmas period we all have an obligation to declare on importation of all dutiable goods that have been obtained outside Gibraltar. The Customs very nicely and in order to simplify things, bless them, issues out some basic declaration forms to assist the public, very efficient!
Why is it, that only at Christmas time are we all reminded of our obligations to declare dutiable goods, do these obligations not count during the rest of the year, or is it only during the Christmas period that the Customs becomes conscious that there is some work to be done at the frontier?
Do they also not know that the frontier is considered by many as the gateway into Gibraltar for the introduction of many dutiable goods, but also un-dutiable items particularly illegal substances like cocaine, amphetamines, ecstasy and cannabis? Deadly drugs that are corrupting our youth and end up on our streets amongst kids - these substances pass through the frontier, daily, don't you think?
Little is known on what is being done, if anything, to actually stop the flow of drugs through the frontier, but as Christmas descends on us the Customs Department appears to be prioritising things and focusing their attention on bus loads of housewives who are doing a bit of shopping and looking for a bargain during these difficult financial times.
Customs would better serve everyone if they published in a similar press notice how the department intends to stop the flow of drugs coming through the frontier daily.
Political broadcasts
Pre-Christmas Political Broadcasts - that's also another pre-xmas treat, when we hear from our politicians just how good they are? We are told how Gibraltar has moved forward and improved compared to those dark years in the past and how bad it was then compared to the present. I find some of these broadcasts a bit of an insult to peoples intelligence, some of these political speeches are delusional to say the least.
Many people hear these political messages and relate to the contents on what actually is the reality of the situation in the real world outside away from the environment of someone’s cosy office. And you know, on many occasions the reality is, that what people see out in the street and then compare this to what they have been told in a Christmas message, they find it sometimes un-relatable.
These pre-Christmas broadcasts have been known to put some people off their traditional turkey lunch, this is one pre-Christmas reminder we can just about stomach once a year, although normally it is followed by a spoon of Gaviscon antacid remedy.
Take it from me, the majority of people do not want to hear much about politics during these festive times, they have to put up with it consistently during the other 11 months and few weeks in the year - politicians should give the community a Christmas reprieve, you know, like just keeping quiet till the New Year, save the Christmas messages, wishing us all a Happy Christmas!
Drinking and driving
Drinking and Driving tends to be a Slow Starter. We can also expect the Royal Gibraltar Police to come out some time soon, before Christmas it is hoped, with their usual Pre-Christmas and seasonal ‘Do not Drink and Drive Campaign’ although many feel as well that it would make much more sense and would be much more effective and safer, if the Police made their Don't Drink and Drive initiative a year-long public campaign and not just a Christmassy one.
This is just a pick of some of the goings on in our community before Christmas arrives.
It leaves me to ponder, that what many should be doing is less reflecting on what marvellous things they think they have done over the year, and instead, get out and mingle, and do more of it all year round. Others should be going about performing their duties without giving the impression that they only think about it or think it’s important at Christmas time. But there are some who should stop using the Christmas period as a leverage to get a bit more cash in their pockets or perform less work.
Christmas does bring out the best in people. However, what we really need is for the Christmas spirit to last the 12 months of the year!
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