I was in the area of this museum the other day watching the noon day gun being fired from across the harbour.

On the way back and looking for a convenience, I popped into the Maritime museum knowing from a previous visit that there was one there.

I was confronted by this bearded cigarette-wielding jobsworth who would not let me use the convenience unless I paid the entrance charge to his museum. I had been to the museum before and found it dingy, dusty and uninteresting.

I requested his approval to use the facilities but he was adamant that this would not happen. He did say, as he pushed me away, that there was a non signposted one 50 yards away, but would not show me where, and that there was also one in the opposite direction a hundred yards away which, last time I went to use it, found it closed.

Now in all the 25+ years that I have been visiting Malta, I have never been made to feel less wanted as a tourist. This man, who with his female colleague, guarded this establishment which seemed empty at the time I was there, was just guarding this little visited museum in a bullying and uncaring way as if it was his own personal toilet.

Following my encounter, I think I have discovered a way for the museum to cut costs – sack him! It seems that it is overstaffed and those working there cannot be put to better use making the place more welcoming.

Such a strange attitude when a little help and consideration would have enhanced my opinion of Malta customer service, which sometimes needs some help.

Such a shame these underworked jobsworths work in such tourist destinations.

Brian Simmons