on bureaucracy.

i called up one of singapore's largest leasing companies this morning to ask a simple question. the following is the conversation that transpired between me and the company:

xxx company: (very friendly and helpful voice. i felt hopeful.) good morning xxx company, how may i help you?

me: hello, good morning. i'd just received a copy of our tenancy agreement and certificate of stamp duty from your company yesterday. i'm supposed to sign and return an acknowledgement form. can i sign this form on behalf of mr. ang (the tenant), or does he have to sign it himself?

xxx company: (still in a friendly and helpful voice) please hold on a minute. let me put you through to the leasing department.

me: um, sure.

(annoying extension tone that goes doo doo...doo doo...doo doo...)

xxx company: (less friendly voice) hello.

me: hello, good morning. i'd just received a copy of our tenancy agreement and certificate of stamp duty from your company yesterday. i'm supposed to sign and return an acknowledgement form. can i sign this form on behalf of mr. ang, or does he have to sign it himself?

xxx company: uh, what ah?

me: um, the acknowledgement form? to acknowledge that i've received the tenancy agreement and certificate of stamp duty? can i sign it on behalf of mr. ang? or does he have to sign it himself? (honestly, only so many ways i can ask the same question.)

xxx company: uh which area ah?

me: monk's hill terrace?

xxx company: (voice becoming increasingly unhelpful) uh wait ah. i put you through to the relevant person.

me: !!!

(sound of unhelpful voice flipping through pages of contact sheets, searching for the right extension number to dial.)

(annoying extension tone again.)

xxx company: hello.

me: yes, hi! i'd like to...(cut off)

xxx company: this is *** speaking. i'm sorry i'm not around to pick up your call right now, but if you'll just leave your name and contact number, i'll get back to you as soon as i can.

(sound of me maniacally slamming the phone against the wall and screaming profanities at xxx company.)