HOW (NOT TO) GET A DELIVERY WHEN YOU LIVE IN MIDDLE-OF-NOWHERE ITALIA
"Well if you really needed that package by yesterday, what's the point of discussing it now?" says the charming UPS lady to our visiting friend S, who called the delivery company on Jim's behalf. Actually, it was on my behalf, too, since I was still half asleep upstairs when the call needed to be made. In addition to being unhelpful, this lady was suspicious of S's intentions:"Well who are YOU, anyway?" S explains that she is just trying to assist Jim, because he feels his Italian is not up to dealing with the machinations needed to get the movie in that package delivered to us in time for Wednesday's Italian film fest. But since S's request that our lonesome package be rerouted to an address that somebody could actually find was contrary to protocol, Signora UPS needed to check with her supervisor. S asked that she call back within the hour to let Jim know what was up. Signora UPS was ready with her favorite comebac...