British embassies around the world are getting "frustrated" by travellers wanting weather reports and advice on how to deal with unruly children.
Consular staff have also been asked to help make jam, pack suitcases and find lost sunglasses.
A woman unhappy with the size of her newly-enlarged breasts and a man in search of shoes also sought help.
The Foreign Office says British embassies are there "to help Britons in real difficulty abroad".
Other inquiries include:
Story Here
Do any of the esteemed members have similar stories of unusual requests from the public ?
I worked once on an IT Helpdesk, and we had a called asking about the time for trains from Exeter to London. Even more bizarre was the fact that the caller was not from within the company, but had seen our helpdesk number in one of our satellite offices on the wall through a glass window that was visible from the street.
More recently, a member of the public went in to A&E with a carton of milk, because it was 1 day past its use by date, and although they had not consumed it, they were thinking of drinking it, and wondered if it would be ok.
Consular staff have also been asked to help make jam, pack suitcases and find lost sunglasses.
A woman unhappy with the size of her newly-enlarged breasts and a man in search of shoes also sought help.
The Foreign Office says British embassies are there "to help Britons in real difficulty abroad".
Other inquiries include:
- A mother asked the consulate in Florida to help her teenage son pack his case and give him a lift to the airport as he was feeling under the weather.
- A traveller wanted the high commission in Zambia to phone his workplace to explain he would not be in because he was unable to get a flight.
- A holidaymaker visiting Italy wondered where they could purchase a particular pair of shoes.
- One caller asked: "I'm making jam - what ratio of fruit to sugar shall I use?".
Story Here
Do any of the esteemed members have similar stories of unusual requests from the public ?
I worked once on an IT Helpdesk, and we had a called asking about the time for trains from Exeter to London. Even more bizarre was the fact that the caller was not from within the company, but had seen our helpdesk number in one of our satellite offices on the wall through a glass window that was visible from the street.
More recently, a member of the public went in to A&E with a carton of milk, because it was 1 day past its use by date, and although they had not consumed it, they were thinking of drinking it, and wondered if it would be ok.
Comment