Belly,
"How Nairbe did you wade in to Hasbeens theme and see only its complaint about pricing?"

I didn't, all i saw was the bigoted comment. That is what slapped me in the face. As for the whole power issue well i could get a dam sight more self righteous. How about instead of standing there thinking god knows what, Hasbeen could have called out to this bloke and introduced him self. Clearly the guy was nervous about the property and may have had a run in with the dog previously (only a suggestion not fact). As for power prices, yep they hurt because we have paid the most unrealistically cheap rates for so long that now we need to pay someone must be blamed. Service is poor but honestly Australia is notorious for its poor service.
Belly, you tend to try to be too nice all the time. The equal of my lapses into self righteousness is your falling into bouts of negative self pity. I feel passionate about the bigoted attitude in this country that is laughed off as a joke or sense of humour. It isn't funny.

Two posters Individuals hasbeen, needlessly defended a racist comment.
Belly,
in a couple of years from now several other words will become racist. Hasbeen's remarks are not racist as far as I can see. But then, I live in communities where reference to complexion is so frequent that no-one takes any notice. So, what is the fact ! Who can actually say it was racist ? Just because one mutt (usually CJ) thinks so doesn't make it such. Another mutt doesn't thinks so is another fact. So we have two facts. I think it's high time this nonsense stops. There are people out there who get shafted by authorities every day & no one gets upset there. If people really want to be selfrightous then get involved in defending actual discrimination. Give the power company hell as well as the other hell-deserving lot Telstra.
Stop carrying on about the little black or white man with beady legs. Fight the moron you see in the mirror.

well sorry Nairbe,I got that wrong.
I miss read something in your post, thought you actually thought the racism was secondary to the costs.
I have to try harder than most, not to be rude, Passion drives me close at times and Ia m commited to keep under control so sorry again I was wrong.
Individual I put you in the too hard box about a year ago.
You seem to have no balance and not to understand issues,again and again you insult me with, well mate just silly claims I am biased and can not see my sides faults?
Born in this country a product of the bush, I have worked in every eastern state and more.
To put such a slur about race, hight,ability to speak English in print is no nice thing.
I will give you the benefit of the doubt, maybe you know no better.
But [not crawling here] Nairbe tells it as I would do it, do it every time, I like the chance to make a migrant feel at home.
A simple Gday mate can I help you? dog is ok I will tie him up back in a minute.
Individual please unless you like being put down because of who you are your race religion do not tell me its ok, I doubt you understand but it is wrong always.

Nairbe and Belly:

There are many "old fashioned" words that show us clearly how some people viewed one another in times past. Words like "ni*ger," "b**ng," "dago," "wog," reflected the feelings of some people about other people, however today these "outmoded" words are no longer acceptable to most people. They weren't acceptable on this
forum either. When I had typed the words in full, I was told to "Remove the Profanity."

Not sure what the man's ethnicity or language skills have to do with reading a meter.

It is quite common for energy company employees to estimate readings when there is limited access to a meter including vegetation, locked gates, unrestrained dogs and other animals, or junk piled up at access point.

I agree it is annoying when companies do estimates without good cause but most do agree to a re-adjustment once arrangements are made to re-re-read the meter. It is the companies that use estimates as the norm that we should be all jumping up and down about not taking it out on some employee just for trying to do his job.

At last two posts that understand.
Lexi yes once those words got used,in truth EVERY MINORITY that ever existed both had to live with them, and had its own insulting names for those who belittled them.
Never right, never, from any one.
In some post history,well in all of us, you can find much about us all.
Hasbeen in my view finds it hard to respect those he feels are socially below him, workers unionists,and maybe , well best leave it.
Every one of us should be accountable for what they post here,each of us should not fear saying I got it wrong.
I wounder, just thinking,say a young Aussie on his/her world trip working in an African country.
Confronted with new things new problems in every home it is his/her job to knock on every door.
Any room for understanding the fear, the uncertainty, maybe the wish some one would offer to help?