A Poem in Celebration of International Day of Happiness
Jay Bernard

Why can't you buy a single stamp from a corner shop?
Why are machines designed to not give change?
Why can't you top up your Oyster card less than £5 if you only have a tenner or want to use your debit card or are at the kiosk?
Why do some companies only have 0845 numbers?
Why can shops refuse to give refunds to customers?
Why are companies allowed to tie customers to their network / contract for twelve months or more?
Why do some shops neglect to have prices on the products?
Why do Caribbean shops never have any veg patties?
Why doesn't the Post Office issue a stamped receipt with your ref number when you bring in a slip, if there's a chance your payment could be disputed if something goes wrong?
Why don't bus companies give bus drivers floats so they can give passengers change?
Where do those £1 bowls of fruit and veg come from?
Why do we sell valuable assets to businesses for a fraction of their price then complain we have no money or assets?
Why is small print legal?
Why is it cheaper to buy a business premises than to buy a house to live in?
Why are airport clocks always in tiny at the bottom of the departures / arrivals screens?
Why do banks refuse to take more than five bags of coins?
Why is there a tax avoidance scheme option you can tick on the HMRC self-assessment form?
Why do we pay rent?

Jay Bernard is a writer and artist from London. She is author of English Breakfast (2013) and Your Sign is Cuckoo, Girl (2008). She can be found @brrnrrd or jaybernard.co.uk

Well Versed is edited by Jody Porter.
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