Some points of negotiation / discussion :

I was retrospecting on my last few conversations with office attendents. I realised that my approach has been faulty. It can be much better. In fact the latest setback (the $300 useless parking ticket) triggered this.

1. Firstly I need to be very cool, calm and patient. I should not think that there are other people standing or that receptionists time is imp. (or some crap like that). Your calmness has a effect on the person you are talking to and hence also makes them calm and willing to listen.

2. Being happy and light is also good. It dosen't hurt in anyway to think that whoever you talk to should be touched by you.

3. The most important thing is not to give up at any cost. Bahut pyar se baat karo but NO QUESTION of leaving without being properly satisfied. Hilna hi nahin hai ... kuch bhi kar lo. And be very assertive, totally beleiving that you deserve it. Talk to supervisor.. say that the system is faulty. Basically attack totally ... but ..pyar se. And look like a thoughtfull, relentless and confident person.

4. Its also impostant to use common sense, like for eg. talking to the right person., putting the points in the right way. Basically, being strategically very sound.

And basically just be happy ..and enjoy it. Life goes on.....