Recently, I had occasion to try to visit Czech officialdom regarding the formation of a company. All I needed was to obtain a document from the local authority - easy right?

Well no, not here.

I went as directed to the government office where I was informed I was at the wrong office. They directed m to another office across town. On arrival there, I was told yet again that I was in the wrong place an directed to another office. There, yes - you guessed, I was told I was in the wrong office and sent back to the place I first started. At the original office I was told yes - this is the correct place!

I and my translator then wandered around corridors seeking the office of one Ms. X who we were told would help us. We finally found her office and knocked on the door. A woman walking down the corridor kindly informed us that we should wait as no one was actually in the office a the moment. We dutifully waited. 15 minutes wen by and we decided we'd go and have a smoke outside. After the smoke we returned to the office and naturally knocked once more on the door. No answer. So my translator decided to try the door and look inside.

As he opened the door, the same woman we had sen earlier came back down the corridor. She immediately said "I told you, no one is in there and you will have to wait". She sounded angry.

We then both watched as said woman entered the office.

We knocked on the door and a curt "come in" confirmed our worst fears. This was in fact the lady we had come to see.

Needless to say, she refused to assist us telling us to return the next day.......

Officialdom gone mad.