this was going to be a rant about the service industry in the uk, well just england actually, sparked by my experience this morning taking my car in to have it’s stereo fixed. in all my dealings with main dealer car garages – it’s never been my own car, always fleet, company whatever so no choice – i’ve been amazed at just how bad they are. surly, patronising, plain rude and sometimes outright liars. the fact i know jack shit about cars doesnt help, so they can tell me anything but i know the prices they charge to provide such service and that really sticks in my craw.
that then got me thinking that service overall in england is pretty poor – thats probably why good experiences stand out so. can only think of a couple that consistently deliver off top of head – picollinos in manchester centre is great, swordfish records in birmingham, waitrose, the odd cab driver….
recent trips to barcelona, italy and amsterdam showed how it should be done. (generally) attentive, friendly, interested, accountable and professional service. of course there were exceptions but it seems the service industry is respected more elsewhere; a recognised profession and so it’s employees take an amount of pride in looking after their customer. don’t know what they’re paid compared to here but i very rarely resent leaving them a tip, even if it’s not required. that may all be bollocks and i’m a sucker.
anyway the anger has subsided since this morning though so rant avoided, but it’s one of those conundrums that’s probably ingrained in the english psyche – you’re servile to me, therefore i’ll be an idiot to you and so you won’t bother with serving me professionally. hm.
some tracks that helped dampen the (obv. terribly restrained and unvented) fury. (on the hire car stereo):
temper trap, sweet disposition (evil nine remix)
new young pony club, lost a girl (radio edit)
fenech-soler, lies (alex metric remx)
80kidz, go mynci
(and since you ask, no they couldn’t. they need to order some parts so will ring me when they’re in)
((and the whole ratm thing on 5live this morning – brilliant and so quick to realise. “but they said they wouldn’t….”))
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