Back 3 Months After 22 Years Away
Apr 13th 2013, 1:33 pm
#76
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Joined: Nov 2012
Location: Back in the UK!
Posts: 2,404
Re: Back 3 Months After 22 Years Away
So I will forgo all round sunshine, good customer service, free refills (DD said this) and many of the other thing I like about the US. For the NHS, much more balance politics, family and a sense of belonging. Plus all the other things I love about the UK, my Utopia:-)
Apr 13th 2013, 1:42 pm
#77
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Location: Back in the UK!
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Re: Back 3 Months After 22 Years Away
When people complain about customer service, I'm not sure what they mean.
I find the assistants in shops to be friendly and helpful. But they don't come over and hassle you while you're shopping, or wish you a nice day when you leave. Maybe that's the issue? (To me both those things are pluses!) But they do generally say 'hello love' and chat to you while ringing up your shopping. I also like how they never start ringing up the next person until you've left the till.
When you're in a restaurant or pub, most waiters will leave you alone while you're eating rather than popping over mid-meal to ask how everything is. I like that but perhaps that strikes some as rude?
When we had work done on our new house, the painter and the guy who was sanding the floor had to park their cars in the village and walk a mile uphill over the fields in order to get here and finish their work during the snowstorm. Both did it without complaint.
I haven't had much call to deal with phone support people so maybe they're a problem.
I find the assistants in shops to be friendly and helpful. But they don't come over and hassle you while you're shopping, or wish you a nice day when you leave. Maybe that's the issue? (To me both those things are pluses!) But they do generally say 'hello love' and chat to you while ringing up your shopping. I also like how they never start ringing up the next person until you've left the till.
When you're in a restaurant or pub, most waiters will leave you alone while you're eating rather than popping over mid-meal to ask how everything is. I like that but perhaps that strikes some as rude?
When we had work done on our new house, the painter and the guy who was sanding the floor had to park their cars in the village and walk a mile uphill over the fields in order to get here and finish their work during the snowstorm. Both did it without complaint.
I haven't had much call to deal with phone support people so maybe they're a problem.
Apr 13th 2013, 2:27 pm
#78
Yorkshire Lass
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 1,416
Re: Back 3 Months After 22 Years Away
When people complain about customer service, I'm not sure what they mean.
I find the assistants in shops to be friendly and helpful. But they don't come over and hassle you while you're shopping, or wish you a nice day when you leave. Maybe that's the issue? (To me both those things are pluses!) But they do generally say 'hello love' and chat to you while ringing up your shopping. I also like how they never start ringing up the next person until you've left the till.
When you're in a restaurant or pub, most waiters will leave you alone while you're eating rather than popping over mid-meal to ask how everything is. I like that but perhaps that strikes some as rude?
When we had work done on our new house, the painter and the guy who was sanding the floor had to park their cars in the village and walk a mile uphill over the fields in order to get here and finish their work during the snowstorm. Both did it without complaint.
I haven't had much call to deal with phone support people so maybe they're a problem.
I find the assistants in shops to be friendly and helpful. But they don't come over and hassle you while you're shopping, or wish you a nice day when you leave. Maybe that's the issue? (To me both those things are pluses!) But they do generally say 'hello love' and chat to you while ringing up your shopping. I also like how they never start ringing up the next person until you've left the till.
When you're in a restaurant or pub, most waiters will leave you alone while you're eating rather than popping over mid-meal to ask how everything is. I like that but perhaps that strikes some as rude?
When we had work done on our new house, the painter and the guy who was sanding the floor had to park their cars in the village and walk a mile uphill over the fields in order to get here and finish their work during the snowstorm. Both did it without complaint.
I haven't had much call to deal with phone support people so maybe they're a problem.
I definitely agree with your post though...even Gordon Ramsay when he's in the US doing Kitchen Nightmares complains about the wait staff 'hovering' over him.
I like the luxury of taking my time over things and not feel like I'm being constantly bothered by shop assistants asking 'Can I help you with anything'. So if I get that time to myself I wouldn't consider it rude - I'd consider it heaven !!
Apr 13th 2013, 4:53 pm
#79
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: Back 3 Months After 22 Years Away
Is it hard to get out of the habit? I've noticed that since I've been living in the US, I became conditioned to say 'Have a great day' when leaving a shop.
I definitely agree with your post though...even Gordon Ramsay when he's in the US doing Kitchen Nightmares complains about the wait staff 'hovering' over him. I like the luxury of taking my time over things and not feel like I'm being constantly bothered by shop assistants asking 'Can I help you with anything'.
So if I get that time to myself I wouldn't consider it rude - I'd consider it heaven !!
I definitely agree with your post though...even Gordon Ramsay when he's in the US doing Kitchen Nightmares complains about the wait staff 'hovering' over him.
I like the luxury of taking my time over things and not feel like I'm being constantly bothered by shop assistants asking 'Can I help you with anything'. So if I get that time to myself I wouldn't consider it rude - I'd consider it heaven !!
Apr 13th 2013, 5:27 pm
#80
Yorkshire Lass
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 1,416
Re: Back 3 Months After 22 Years Away
My Mum thought me well ! It's like recently when a friend of mine was buying a new car. We have a running joke where we time the salesman to see how long it takes them to come bother us. It took on average about 2 minutes. No sooner did we get out of the car than someone was racing over. I mean really? Give us time to look around first okay??
Apr 13th 2013, 6:38 pm
#81
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: Back 3 Months After 22 Years Away
Is it hard to get out of the habit? I've noticed that since I've been living in the US, I became conditioned to say 'Have a great day' when leaving a shop.
I definitely agree with your post though...even Gordon Ramsay when he's in the US doing Kitchen Nightmares complains about the wait staff 'hovering' over him. I like the luxury of taking my time over things and not feel like I'm being constantly bothered by shop assistants asking 'Can I help you with anything'.
So if I get that time to myself I wouldn't consider it rude - I'd consider it heaven !!
I definitely agree with your post though...even Gordon Ramsay when he's in the US doing Kitchen Nightmares complains about the wait staff 'hovering' over him.
I like the luxury of taking my time over things and not feel like I'm being constantly bothered by shop assistants asking 'Can I help you with anything'. So if I get that time to myself I wouldn't consider it rude - I'd consider it heaven !!
Shop assistants couldn't care less if I or anyone else has a great day!
(It is people in the grocery store or in shops that usually say it to me.)
Apr 13th 2013, 6:51 pm
#82
Yorkshire Lass
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 1,416
Re: Back 3 Months After 22 Years Away
I never say "Have a great day" or similar words for two reasons. One, I don't want to be considered anything like American. Two, the words drive me nuts. I associate them with the American facade we experience every day here and stay well away!
Shop assistants couldn't care less if I or anyone else has a great day! (It is people in the grocery store or in shops that usually say it to me.)
Shop assistants couldn't care less if I or anyone else has a great day!
(It is people in the grocery store or in shops that usually say it to me.) When told to 'have a great day' lead to me replying 'thanks - you too' and progressed to me wishing them a great day first. I didn't make a conscious effort to do it, it just happened.
Apr 13th 2013, 8:39 pm
#83
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Back 3 Months After 22 Years Away
I never say "Have a great day" or similar words for two reasons. One, I don't want to be considered anything like American. Two, the words drive me nuts. I associate them with the American facade we experience every day here and stay well away!
Shop assistants couldn't care less if I or anyone else has a great day! (It is people in the grocery store or in shops that usually say it to me.)
Shop assistants couldn't care less if I or anyone else has a great day!
(It is people in the grocery store or in shops that usually say it to me.)
Apr 13th 2013, 9:07 pm
#84
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: Back 3 Months After 22 Years Away
I'm slightly different in that regard. When I first got here and I was happily married and beginning my new life in the US, I 'wanted' to fit in. Even though I knew the staff saying 'have a nice day' etc was just like a script, and they didn't really care about you having a nice day, it still seemed to all be a part of living in America. People would ask me if I was from Boston, just because of the way I said car and carpark.. When told to 'have a great day' lead to me replying 'thanks - you too' and progressed to me wishing them a great day first. I didn't make a conscious effort to do it, it just happened.
When told to 'have a great day' lead to me replying 'thanks - you too' and progressed to me wishing them a great day first. I didn't make a conscious effort to do it, it just happened.
Apr 14th 2013, 5:05 am
#86
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2013
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Posts: 12
Re: Back 3 Months After 22 Years Away
I think you should also bear in mind that not everyone has had the financial and career success you have enjoyed in your time in the US or runs a business that can easily transfer from the US to the UK.
So while your move has gone swimmingly, and good for you, other people less fortunate than yourself may be struggling with the transition back to the UK.
With no job, soon to be divorced and nearly 60, I expect to struggle when I return and take a massive hit in my standard of living, being unable to own a house is just one example.
Apr 14th 2013, 3:02 pm
#87
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Joined: Oct 2011
Location: UK
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Re: Back 3 Months After 22 Years Away
While saying 'have a nice day' is commonly required of check out assistants in US, here in UK it is more likely to be an up-selling suggestion such as "Do you need a phone top up / postage stamps / cash-back / insurance for your goods.......? grrrr,
Apr 14th 2013, 3:18 pm
#88
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Joined: Oct 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 745
Re: Back 3 Months After 22 Years Away
Exactly ! My Mum thought me well ! It's like recently when a friend of mine was buying a new car. We have a running joke where we time the salesman to see how long it takes them to come bother us. It took on average about 2 minutes. No sooner did we get out of the car than someone was racing over. I mean really? Give us time to look around first okay??
My Mum thought me well ! It's like recently when a friend of mine was buying a new car. We have a running joke where we time the salesman to see how long it takes them to come bother us. It took on average about 2 minutes. No sooner did we get out of the car than someone was racing over. I mean really? Give us time to look around first okay??
Apr 14th 2013, 4:07 pm
#89
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Joined: Aug 2010
Location: US
Posts: 4,224
Re: Back 3 Months After 22 Years Away
"Have a good day" I'll have any kind of day I want!
"Did you find everything you were looking for"?
I think it is nice when they will take you to the item you couldn't find.
Management control employees by reminding them they are less of a human being hence these required greeting.
"Did you find everything you were looking for"?
I think it is nice when they will take you to the item you couldn't find.
Management control employees by reminding them they are less of a human being hence these required greeting.
Apr 14th 2013, 4:15 pm
#90
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Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,006
Re: Back 3 Months After 22 Years Away
I've never understood the problem that people have with shop assistants merely being polite.
A lot of polite pleasantries aren't intended literally, and often aren't meant sincerely. Would you rather they told you to piss off, die a horrible death and never darken their doors again?
If they said nothing then people would complain about how unfriendly they are. These days you can't win for losing - why do we always have to find fault in other people? Sometimes we just need to get over ourselves and give hardworking, poorly paid shop assistants a break.
A lot of polite pleasantries aren't intended literally, and often aren't meant sincerely. Would you rather they told you to piss off, die a horrible death and never darken their doors again?
If they said nothing then people would complain about how unfriendly they are. These days you can't win for losing - why do we always have to find fault in other people? Sometimes we just need to get over ourselves and give hardworking, poorly paid shop assistants a break.