EXPECTING TOO MUCH OR ACCEPTING TOO LITTLE?
February 14th 2007 05:14
Are my expectations based in reality or are they driven by an inner need to surround myself with perfection?
I am finding it increasingly difficult to participate in even the simplest of negotiations out there in the world with other members of the human race, without feeling totally frustrated.
Maybe I am asking for too much?
I find myself constantly aggravated by the level of "service" being offered in Sydney, and the Gold Coast, cant speak for anywhere else, that's where I've been spending my time.
Restaurants, stores, banks, insurance companies, on the telephone, even on the internet.
The casual indifference, the incompetence, and the downright rudeness I encounter in various situations as a consumer has become so frequent, it almost seems normal.
In fact I am taken aback, if on the rare occasion, I receive assistance or friendly efficient service. I have even found myself thanking someone for doing their job, when really I have every right to expect to receive whatever it is I am parting with my cash for, as requested, in a reasonable time frame and in working order.
One extreme example:
There's a guy who does the 8pm to 8am shift in the 7 eleven downstairs, he never smiles and he has a bad habit of tossing whatever it is you are buying at you, nonchalantly, while he sneers and looks anywhere but at you, he's usually on his mobile as well. One morning I politely asked him for a packet of gaspers, he was extra grumpy that morning, big line up of people behind me. He threw the cigarettes at me and mumbled, I picked the packet up and hurled it at his head and told him he could stick it where it fits and if he didnt like his job quit and give it to someone who'd appreciate it. I toyed with telling the owner, but I doubt he'd care, I did for a few weeks go elsewhere, but it's convenient, for hell's sake its a convenience store, why would I walk 10 mins to another one just to prove a point? The evil gnome is still there, he now kind of smiles, more like a grimace and always looks me in the eye and never ever tosses anything I am buying at me. But why should I have to react in the first place, I simply should have to.
My annoyance with what I perceive to be downright apathy has me wondering if this is socially acceptable, maybe my expectations are too high and it is me that needs to change my approach to going about my day to day transactions.
But the voice inside me insists, It's just not good enough!
Having had the opportunity to travel and work abroad I can honestly say that the only place I have ever seen people who look more miserable at work was in Romania, and there, I conceded that most of them had pretty good reasons to not be enjoying their lot.
What ever happened to good old fashioned no-nonsense service, it seems to have gone to ground with good manners and other common courtesies........
I am finding it increasingly difficult to participate in even the simplest of negotiations out there in the world with other members of the human race, without feeling totally frustrated.
Maybe I am asking for too much?
I find myself constantly aggravated by the level of "service" being offered in Sydney, and the Gold Coast, cant speak for anywhere else, that's where I've been spending my time.
Restaurants, stores, banks, insurance companies, on the telephone, even on the internet.
In fact I am taken aback, if on the rare occasion, I receive assistance or friendly efficient service. I have even found myself thanking someone for doing their job, when really I have every right to expect to receive whatever it is I am parting with my cash for, as requested, in a reasonable time frame and in working order.
One extreme example:
There's a guy who does the 8pm to 8am shift in the 7 eleven downstairs, he never smiles and he has a bad habit of tossing whatever it is you are buying at you, nonchalantly, while he sneers and looks anywhere but at you, he's usually on his mobile as well. One morning I politely asked him for a packet of gaspers, he was extra grumpy that morning, big line up of people behind me. He threw the cigarettes at me and mumbled, I picked the packet up and hurled it at his head and told him he could stick it where it fits and if he didnt like his job quit and give it to someone who'd appreciate it. I toyed with telling the owner, but I doubt he'd care, I did for a few weeks go elsewhere, but it's convenient, for hell's sake its a convenience store, why would I walk 10 mins to another one just to prove a point? The evil gnome is still there, he now kind of smiles, more like a grimace and always looks me in the eye and never ever tosses anything I am buying at me. But why should I have to react in the first place, I simply should have to.
My annoyance with what I perceive to be downright apathy has me wondering if this is socially acceptable, maybe my expectations are too high and it is me that needs to change my approach to going about my day to day transactions.
But the voice inside me insists, It's just not good enough!
Having had the opportunity to travel and work abroad I can honestly say that the only place I have ever seen people who look more miserable at work was in Romania, and there, I conceded that most of them had pretty good reasons to not be enjoying their lot.
What ever happened to good old fashioned no-nonsense service, it seems to have gone to ground with good manners and other common courtesies........
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Comment by Miss Nomer
Things are looking up!
Comment by Wendi
I used to get frustrated and complain, but then something in me clicked - don't know what, don't know when, don't know how, and I started focusing on the positive energy. When someone goes above and beyond to provide good service, or if they're exceptionally polite or friendly, I make it a point to tell their manager or write a letter to the corporate office. I've learned it's much more pleasing for me to focus and praise the positive than it is to get sucked in to the negative.
When I do come across an employee that gets my goat, rather than letting it piss me off, I think to myself, "man, that person must be really miserable", and then thank the heavens my life isn't that bad. Again, it's setting aside the negative to appreciate the positive. He may be a grumpy troll, but there's no reason I should let that influence my own mood.
Comment by Miss Nomer
Funny you should say that, because I was pondering, (I ponder a lot), what was the difference was in the service, and I have to say I honestly that, maybe, only maybe, it was my attitude.....trying to be positive, see the upside of situations, that helped me notice the good service not just focus on the lack a daisical, couldnt give a shit if you walk out and go somewhere else mentality...
Miss Nomer
Comment by Wendi
*NOTE: Anyone who finds profanities offensive probably shouldn't read this comment. *winks*
The worst customer service I ever experienced was at a Taco Bell in Las Vegas. It was the day we were moving from Las Vegas to Kentucky, setting out on a four day journey with 2 kids, 2 dogs, and 5 cats in one truck with a Uhaul trailer. We stopped at Taco Bell to fill up before hitting the road. Obviously, I was already a bit stretched to my stress limits this day.
Taco Bell is one of the few fast food places we can choose from because we're vegetarians. I left the kids in the truck and hubby and I went in to place our order to go. Granted, it was a custom order, but it really wasn't rocket science - leave off the meat, replace meat with beans.... except for my daughter's order, which also requested leaving off the tomatoes and onions.
The guy at the register taking our order did just fine - a little flustered by the change in routine, but he handled it and was polite. The guy on the assembly line, however, was lucky I didn't jump that counter to go strangle his gangly ass neck! He messed up the first time and put meat on everything. The cashier caught it and said, "Hold up, man, ain't none these supposed to have no meat on 'em." (Kudos to his English teacher). The guy on the assembly line fired back, and I quote, "What the fuck, man? It ain't my damned fault this bitch don't eat no meat! Bitch needs to learn to eat normal."
WHAT?? Oh, no he didn't!
Oh yes he did, and the manager was standing right next to him and did NOTHING!!
This would be one of those times where I lost my composure and refused to look at the bright side. Cancel my order, refund my money, and kiss my ass.
I've never had a problem like that with Taco Bell at any other location, although everyone in Vegas seems to walk around with a chip on their shoulder.
There are times we can focus on the positives, and there are times that people just need whacked upside the head!
W