niksha

Guess i am too American now after 33 yrs here in the states!!Nice to hear "Have a nice day" or Can i help you"even if they dont mean it!!far better than being a miserable git who is probably saying to himself underneath his breath" Piss off u wanker and dont come back!!!!PS I think someone should really start an HONEST survey on whose customer support is better .USA or British?Iill start it off. USA is better. let's go!!!

benblaney

Well, they have some absurd and vindictive sanctions applied to them, which is most of the problem.

Yes they still have a higher literacy rate that the USA. How about that.

benblaney

1. What is your rationale for suggesting that a Government deliberately lowered social standards?

2. Which "official report" states that the words "thank you" have become obsolete, and replaced by "cheers" or variants thereof?

3. Are you campaigning for the active return of the word "slubberdegullion" if you are not keen on words becoming obsolete?

4. In what way is immigration "unrestrained" in the UK?

5. If you are opposed to immigration, why are you posting on a board for British immigrants to the U.S.A.?

6. How would you go about "repairing" things (regardless of how long it takes)? Sending black people back where they came from?

benblaney

Would you really categorize Barack Obama as a socialist?

benblaney

It's absolutely essential to raise taxes now, to reduce the deficit. That's a stone-cold fact.

islandwoman120

I am jumping in here as this is supposed to be about (personal) experiences of British v USA manners etc. I last visited Britain in 2004 and I had numerous courtesies extended to me. First was in Reading train station, where I was unsure if I was on the correct platform. So I asked the nearest person, then as the train pulled in, the same person I had spoken to - a younger woman - lifted one of my suitcases onto the train, and her companion lifted the other suitcase. After I thanked them, they asked where I was going to, and mentioned that I had to change trains and platforms (which I already knew) and that they were going the same way. Well, when the train pulled in there was only 5 minutes before the next train left, and the platform was far away, necessitating either the stairs or an elevator. Before I knew what happened, an entire family (Mum, Dad and young males in their late teenage years) had carried my two cases and my carry on bag and run for the elevators, telling me to run for the stairs and they would meet me on the correct platform - which they did. Again, the cases got put onto the new train, whereupon a young woman in British Army gear lifted the bags into place for me, and, when the train reached my destination, lifted them on to the platform for me - all without being asked. The final stage of my journey - two weeks later - involved a bus trip, and a young man at the Bus Depot lifted my case onto the bus, and off again when I disembarked. I never experienced any negative vibes, only politeness, even to the stupidest of my questions - I was obviously a 'tourist' (though I am a UK citizen and lived there for 20+ years). When asked by various Americans what I miss most about Britain, I have always answered "the manners". BTW, I am not old, nor am I infirm - at the time I was in my mid fifties so I don't think it was a question of helping an old person. I just think most people have good manners, and I hope that is always the case. Rose coloured glasses? Sure. Love the colour.

Bob

Customer service, lets be honest, it's crap in either country bar the odd exception....and that's when it hasn't been out sourced

Sally Redux

We've been trying to get satisfaction on our cable/internet problems for months - really poor service - but why should they care, the cable is carved up so there's only one provider where we are. I haven't been impressed by any customer service here. Sometimes you'll get very fake, obvious fawning from someone who wants a tip, otherwise forget it.

meauxna

My work partner and I were talking about this today; we have a boutique in a trendy tourist town and give very high-touch customer service. What we have noticed is that people don't know how to *accept* proper service anymore. It's like, if they can't order it on their i-phone, they don't want to know. They're simply unlearning the experience of individualized assistance. Older people appreciate it. <shrug> Our place isn't set up for self-serve, but that's part of the whole package (and we live on our return customers).

Not saying that ^^ is related to your experience, Sally.. (tho you are 'old enough' to fit into my category of people who remember, lol!)

Sally Redux

Yes, interesting point. I am old enough to remember things like really knowledgeable staff in hi-fi and bookstores. People aren't looking for that any more.

chartreuse

Some of us are. That's why I try to shop at independents, rather than corporate cess pools.

Sally Redux

Yeah but you're old too

Falcore

Late to this thred I know but I just had to comment! I am still in England, Stockport so Manchester/Cheshire type area and I have to say I don't see any of this day to day rudeness and bad service.

People are on the whole are friendly, smile and say hello in shops. Waitresses look after you and are polite even in cheap to eat places and life really isn't half as bad as is being painted here. Even in London I can't say service or levels of friendly-ness have been off.

I can't say I find it expensive to live and I think only the ones that have lost their jobs have really understandably felt the pinch. Yes we want to leave but not because we hate it here but because we want the adventure of life in another country.

Dan725

Come on now, he's not just a socialist.....he's a communist muslim nazi who was born overseas and in actual fact, not even a US citizen!

Englishtart

Great post and lovely to read that my old home town is not full of ignorant buggers!