Speaking of phone manners, I called a solicitor today, at her request. She had sent me an email sort of booking me for a job but not really so I sent a response asking for clarification to which she said, "CALL ME, IT'S EASIER TO EXPLAIN ON THE PHONE". She wrote in caps.

So I called. *Dialogue*

Solicitor: Good morning, (whatever) Solicitors

Baron: (realises that it's in fact 1.30 in the afternoon) Good afternoon. This is Baron. I'm a (job title). I sent an email recently regarding the case of (case name) scheduled for (date) and was told to call.

Solicitor: Umm...

Baron: It was (name of solicitor) who I was emailing.

Solicitor: No, that's me, I'm sorry I'm just slightly confused. You sound differenet. Have I booked you in the past?

Baron: No, I don't think so.

Solicitor: But I've spoken to you about this case before?

Baron: Yeah.

Solicitor: You just sound funny.

Baron: I see. Well, anyway, I have a question about this booking.

What a dumbass. How does a woman reach the lofty heights of solicitor and not know how to conduct herself in a semi-professional fashion over the telephone?

And indeed, SHE sounded funny. She didn't have the almost English-sounding accent that your better educated solicitors north of the border have. She sounded like she came from some remote, inbred village where indoor plumbing has not yet reached.

You see all kinds. That woman who I sued for non-payment is unbelievably unprofessional. I saw her recently and she was yelling and carrying on right outside of the court that a case in session. They obviously heard her. The court room is just a small like office structure with a long table, not a traditional court room. But she's there yukking it up with her client and taking her robe off showing her giant obesity-enhanced tits.

There's another woman who's literally a farmer.

These are solicitors.

I mean, it's not all that difficult to get a degree in law. It's free in Scotland. I suppose that might make things more competitive. I can't comment on that. But it's free and it's simply a three year bachelor's degree. There are loads of unemployed law graudates out there. So plenty of people are completing the course.

But somehow, some of these clowns are also getting work as solicitors. A lot of them are self-employed in one or two man operations so there's that. The only people they have to convince that they know what they're doing are clueless laymen off the street with limited intellectual acumen.

But others are employed by medium to large-sized firms. They had to go through job interviews. They had to demonstrate an ongoing ability to do the work.

It's baffling stuff. You just expect a certain level of professionalism.

But whatever.