Arriving in Houston yesterday jet-lagged and tired I was dismayed to see a very large line for immigration. After lining up for 20 mins I finally reached an officer. I said hello and began reading with interest the customer service manifesto pinned to the wall above him.

We are the front line of Americas it read and we promise to be courteous, helpful and well mannered as we deal quickly with your entry into the USA... it read - amongst other such customer service nonesense. I didn't get to read it all as the immigration guy looked up at me and pointed to the back of the line and ran his pen through my form.

What? I asked.
Insufficient address, he gruffed.
I'm sorry? I said puzzled.
Go to the back of the hall and fill this form in again and this time provide a proper address..
It is a proper address said I
The hell it is and you better do it NOW if you want to get out of this airport tonight, he barked

Hmmm... welcome to America and so much for customer service.

50 minutes later and after more lining up I made it out of the airport.....

Remind me exactly why people want to come to this country?