Madam, - Why, oh why, must customer service operatives throughout the country continually repeat the phrase "Bear with me, please" The phrase implies that their customers are naturally impatient and irritated. I'm sure their customers are, for the most part, reasonable beings who do not require placating from the moment their call is answered.
Once I am given the full attention of the particular operative, I have no difficulty in remaining on hold for as long as is reasonably necessary to reply to my query. - Yours, etc.,
SONYA LANIGAN, Glendine Road, Kilkenny.