I arrived and the pleasant girl at the front desk ...

I arrived and the pleasant girl at the front desk was audibly using her computer to read out alternative jobs, on a job hunt site. I later realised i would too if working with some of her colleagues.

Being a 1.30pm appt. and still waiting at gone 3.45, the mental exhaustion and lack of considerstion of some of the staff was not only notable, it became unnerving with the eye contact between applicants as we waited, wondering what wound them all up the wrong way.

For a nation cliche d with have a nice days and how can i help you s this was more akin to Ryanair customer service. One employee sighed and sais today has been too many people, too long but they should clear this lot in 10 mins she can go home.

I must say, the first person i spoke to was a wonderful example of a human. He took time to listen to me and actually understood my reason for travel. If he had been the person to do my visa, no doubt i d be en route to work in America at the end of the month.

The tired man at the end of the day who I dealt with however, i hold a level of distain for which is usually reserved for supervillains, or disapproving mother in laws.

He misunderstood the reason for my visa application, misinterpeted what i said, ignored all documents that supported my case, and accused me of making reality tv when i was simply filming unscripted/unrehearsed documentary content to be shot at live events/on the road and edited and distributed freely as a documentary in the UK (correct application as per your application website).

He spoke over my answers when asking for an explanation and simply didnt want to listen. His mind was made up.

After the 2 minutes he gave me to decide my fate, he told me this conversation is over and made no eye contact and told me to leave the building. He even made it awkward because he didnt even say how to leave, refused eye contsct and stared at his desk. At no point was i confrontational.

On reflection;

1)I m white, male and British. I have a new found level of sorrow for people who may have to experience this callous lack of understanding for a visa when they cant get an ESTA to travel.

My heart pours out to you. This was a job, i ll get over it. he might decide your life.

2) if the guy who handled my case worked in media he would know he was wrong, but there s thousands of jobs. He can t know them all so his best guess in 2mins is a single persons final decision lf your fate.

3) visas applications are pot luck, and reinforce the stereotypes of Bureaucrats. Yesterday one of the most important and exciting jobs in my career so far was taken from me because a tired ill-informed man with a rubber stamp wanted to go home.

4) go early. People might take the time if you arent 9th from the end of the day and he can see the finish line in sight.

5) when a person shakes their head left to right repeatedly when asking questions its usually a sign their mind is made up.

6) it s basically designed so you can t appeal.
A huge waste of my time and money.

7) I couldn t do that job... but thanks to a lack of understanding from a certain rude employee, now I can t do mine either.