The RSL's mission is basically to honour those that have served their country. I find it very ironic then that entering the Greenbank RSL is very much like entering Nazi Germany. I never had such an unpleasant experience simply entering a restaurant. Just two steps inside and before I even had a chance she was asking me to take my hat off. I complied without comment. Thanks for reminding me Bree. That's good manners right there, but perhaps you could give me a second to do it myself next time, or perhaps say it in a more polite fashion.
Bree then proceeded in Gestapo like fashion asking to see my papers. Ok, fair enough, we don't want underage drinking. I showed her without comment. I let her see it but she tried to pull it away from me. She tried to trick me into letting them take a photo of my ID. That wasn't very nice. I take identity theft very seriously, and a restaurant certainly doesn't need to keep a copy of my ID which could be potentially abused. She insisted that it didn't take a photo until I pointed out that the machine had a camera inbuilt into it. She said I could write me details in if I choose. Sure Bree, I'll do that thanks.
It was at that point that I thought I'd point out to Bree and educate her that there was a reason for my choice to not allow a photo be taken. Identity theft is a serious problem, and I don't believe a restaurant is not equipped to handle such sensitive data. Furthermore, a restaurant has no legal reason to take a photocopy of someone's ID, and in fact, if they are doing so they would need to be compliant with the handling of PII (personally identifiable information) in accordance with the Privacy Act 2011. She all of a sudden turned from a waitress into a computer security expert and claims that it's secure. At that stage, I realize I'm wasting my breath and keep silent. FYI, I am a computer security expert. I know what I'm talking about. I feel insulted that she think herself qualified to speak on such matters. I'm signed in, and away I go, forgiving the stupidity I've just witnessed.
Now, a few minutes later I'm approached by two people from security saying that I didn't show my ID on check in and that they'd like to see it again. Confronted! Accused! No apologies whatsoever for the stuff up! I tell them that this is ridiculous, but I show them anyway. There is no problem with my ID and they leave just as rudely and gather around the sign-in table to decide what to do with me.
It's at this stage that I feel like leaving Nazi Germany, there is no excuse for that kind of treatment. Lest we forget the sacrifice made in World War II so we could enjoy a country free of that kind of antisocial behaviour. read more