RANT CORNER

[ShaunWhite]

Kai, pity them. The world is full of people who are either sarcastic, hateful, bitter, violent or stupid (or all of the above) and their lives are often dysfunctional, loveless and unfulfilled because of it. You're destined for greater things I'm sure and theyll be a distant memory someday, still finding people to bring down rather than elevating themselves. You say you're stuck with them so I assume it's family, well 'family' is just an accident of birth and if they're not your kind of people then they can feature as much or as little as you choose once you've found your own path.

[jamesg46]

How the hell do you deal with toxic sarcastic people that you're sort of stuck with in your life?!?!?!? A genuine question to the older guys out here

Isn't sarcasm just hostility disguised as humor? I understand people like using it to hide their true feelings/flaws/envy/whatever and I know exactly what their issues are but how are you supposed to deal with someone that constantly tries to use sarcasm to abuse your good nature and mock you just because you're doing good? If clearing the air doesn't work and they're unable the change this behavior. I mean, I could easily stoop to that level and crush these people with far better "jokes" but I just don't have it in me to stomp all over someone because I'm not a massive a**hole and don't want to be one either, and that would just make the relationship that much more toxic. Should you give up on such people in your life or no?

If you're at the point where you're thinking about their actions, then it will be having a negative impact on your emotions.. on the flip side it obviously makes them feel powerful or winning at situations that involve you. The reality is, people like that only stop when they get beat at their own game, & like you say, you could easily do that... from what I've taken from your post, you're simply not that person regardless. Stick your head up & follow your plan in life... if it gets to the point that it doesn't involve said people then good riddance. All the best to you!

[Kai]

Thanks for the replies guys. That article makes me wonder how often I've used sarcasm in a bad way without realizing it, will have to be mindful of that in the future. I guess sarcasm really is a convenient way to sucker punch people and smile while doing it, it's just plain cowardice when people use it wrong like that, not everyone has the wit to pull off a Chandler (from Friends). It's just a damn shame when you have a lot in common with someone and there's potential for a great relationship but their personality makes that a near impossible task. Just goes to show how difficult it is to find like-minded people in your life that share the same values, although my standards for others are probably a bit high so I often get disappointed. But then again whenever I consider lowering them I think to myself, how hard is it to be a decent human being? It really shouldn't be too difficult but it seems damn near impossible for some people.

[Derek27]

Getting flipping sick of the security hurdles and hoops you have to jump through just to carry out a banking transaction without any option to switch them off. Just set up three standing orders, don't have much money in the account I use for bill payments - had to enter my password six times and a text code three times, one for each standing order.

If I was a fraudster, I've obviously got the victims password and phone, so what's the flipping point???

[Derek27]

Now I've got to find a mountain or hill out of that.

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[Jukebox]

Now I've got to find a mountain or hill out of that.
Capture.PNG

I've long suspected that you're a robot Derek, so its no surprise that your bank needs to be sure and that you're having difficulty passing a test to prove otherwise !

[Derek27]

What the fuck is the middle picture?

Is it a blurred picture of a mountain, a close-up of the base of a mountain or a close-up of the corner of a chocolate colour velvet-covered sofa?

What flipping idiot selects these pictures?

[Jukebox]

What the fuck is the middle picture?

Is it a blurred picture of a mountain, a close-up of the base of a mountain or a close-up of the corner of a chocolate colour velvet-covered sofa?

What flipping idiot selects these pictures?

The games up Derek - if you were a human you'd know.

Robots! - They just can't work these pictures out, can they?

One more question:
You're watching a stage play - a banquet is in progress. The guests are enjoying an appetizer of raw oysters. The entree consists of boiled dog

[ShaunWhite]

If I was a fraudster, I've obviously got the victims password and phone, so what's the flipping point???

Because you'd have committed 3 seperate frauds instead of 1 and it also makes it easier to prove you'd deliberately done it rather than it being a freaky accidental one off if they catch you? The fraud is impersonating you to log on, not anything you do when you're actually logged on, that part is just theft of potentially small amounts and they'd walk free with a slapped wrist. Maybe?

[Derek27]

If I was a fraudster, I've obviously got the victims password and phone, so what's the flipping point???

Because you'd have committed 3 seperate frauds instead of 1 and it also makes it easier to prove you'd deliberately done it rather than it being a freaky accidental one off if they catch you? The fraud is impersonating you to log on, not anything you do when you're actually logged on, that part is just theft of potentially small amounts and they'd walk free with a slapped wrist. Maybe?

I see what you mean, but if that's the case they should make it clear that the security measures are not to protect their customers' money, but to protect their own arses from prolific or organized fraudsters by gathering information to assist prosecution, and allow the customer to opt-out. Banks are hell-bent on security but they don't seem to understand that somebody with £10K in their account needs stricter security than someone with just £50.

[ShaunWhite]

Banks are hell-bent on security but they don't seem to understand that somebody with £10K in their account needs stricter security than someone with just £50.

Can't agree with that. If you've only got 50 quid to your name it means just as much or even more than having 10 grand. The poor shouldn't be more vulnerable than the relatively rich.

Bank fraud doesn't affect banks, the money isn't theirs anyway and it's just gone to a different place. The security strengthens the case for the customer to force the bank to pursue I when they don't really care anyway and don't want the bad publicity of a case in court.

I agree it's a pain Derek but it's a good thing for the customer.

[spreadbetting]

I've been trying to sort out some problems wth my Barclays account at the moment, bloody nightmare. Using their internal messaging, they seem to be more interested in if you're having a good day that the actual query. Going thru their phones takes for ever , I eventually had to speak to their fraud team earlier and by the time I eventually got put thru to them, the batteries in my cordless phone ran out

[iambic_pentameter]

SB

I share your pain; I had reason to call Natwest recently and had similar frustrations. In the end I said I wasn't happy with the service and got a months business account charges waivered.

Worth kicking up a fuss as they might make a goodwill gesture.

Iambic

[spreadbetting]

I do wonder how some of these companies manage to survive as their front line staffing is usually so poor and incompetent. I'd had a message from one of their managers and the grammar and spelling was probably that of a 12 year old.

[greenmark]

I do wonder how some of these companies manage to survive as their front line staffing is usually so poor and incompetent. I'd had a message from one of their managers and the grammar and spelling was probably that of a 12 year old.

Simple. Most people are too busy or apathetic to switch in the face of poor service. These huge companies know how many customers leave and for what reasons. They only improve customer service when they lose serious amounts of business.