Re: Is this really, that terrible compared to UK?
 

In my opinion customer service in the US is far better. I had to take a job in the UK where the whole job was providing customer service, and during the training I could not BELIEVE how lax the people doing the training were, not to mention my fellow employees, when it came to treating the customer right. In my experience, in the UK, customer service reps aren't usually outrightly rude, but they make it very clear that they do not give a crap. Like, when I walk into a US store, it is common for me to be greeted with a smile and a "Hi, how are you? Can I help you find anything?" Here, not so much. I worked at 2 clothing retailers in the states, and at both there was someone who's job it was to do just that.If I had acted like I've seen UK store employees do, eg. ignoring the customer, not saying a word to the customer whilst ringing them up but rather talking loudly to a co-worker across the store, etc. I would have had a severe dressing down fro my manager.Obviously not ALL US customer service is good and not ALL UK customer service is bad (granted, I've only been living in Scotland) but overall I'd say there is a big disparity. Even the difference between Irish and British CS is quite noticeable.

Re: Is this really, that terrible compared to UK?
 

I agree with Brittany. I'm British and lived in the US for a few years whilst going to university, and the customer service was far better, without question. When I have a question about an item in a shop, the nice smile and reply I would get from an American worker was so much nicer than the dead-behind the eyes stare I now get when asking questions of British sales associates.

Re: Is this really, that terrible compared to UK?
 

Lived in the States for 6 years moved back 2 years ago, the thing that shocked me the most about the USA was the level of poverty experienced by so many, I volunteered at one of many soup kitchens/homeless shelters, its just astounding how so many people are forgotten about and left to live like this in the richest country in the world. Most of the areas surrounding the big cities are little more than slums. I have never seen anything near this in the UK and I have lived in some so-called poor/rough areas.

Re: Is this really, that terrible compared to UK?
 

Ever been to the east end of Glasgow? It is horrifying. Life expectancy in the east end of Glasgow is lower than that in Iraq, something like 54, whereas in most first world countries it is in the 70s and 80s. Really sad.

Re: Is this really, that terrible compared to UK?
 

Is that your personal opinion or can you please point to some statistics on that? I don't dispute what you're saying... and it's been a long time since I've lived in Glasgow, but that's a significant age difference.

I should point out that it's unfair to make a comparison between a specific part of a city, and the average for an entire country!

Ian

Re: Is this really, that terrible compared to UK?
 

Nope, not a personal opinion, check out this link http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/20...ealth.politics

and I was not saying the whole UK was like that, I was just pointing out that there are some horrific places/slums in the UK as well. The previous poster said areas surrounding cities were awful, which isn't true. For example. Mid-New Jersey is next to new york city, and you'll get HORRIBLE parts (camden) as well as extremely affluent and lovely parts (Princteon). Every country has its warts.

Re: Is this really, that terrible compared to UK?
 

No I havent been there, and I should have put most of the big cities I visited, we lived in a beautiful area, in the US, clean safe and wealthy, and I loved the experience, both countries have their faults I dont think either one is better than the other.

Re: Is this really, that terrible compared to UK?
 

It appears to be one ward of the city, and the life expectancy for women is significantly higher at 74.8 according to the link.

Re: Is this really, that terrible compared to UK?
 

Right, I noted that in my first comment

Re: Is this really, that terrible compared to UK?
 

You could take somewhere like Skid Row (Central City East) in LA and get a far worse result - if anyone cared enough to compile statistics on the inhabitants.

Re: Is this really, that terrible compared to UK?
 

Interesting, you criticize the culture for not being more politically British yet point out the "effect" (I read that as a negative effect) of other cultures. If America became more British wouldn't that "effect" the culture too?

Regardless, the Mexican and Chinese were well established in San Francisco long before California/San Francisco became admitted/incorporated into the US. The Mexican and Chinese are not an "effect" on the culture. They are the culture.

Re: Is this really, that terrible compared to UK?
 

I'm sure there have been stats compiled, I'm just not familiar with them. I was merely pointing out that the UK has hugely devastated areas as well as the USA. I'm from Glasgow, so obviously I know the city is not all like that. Same as parts of LA, New York City, DC, etc.

Re: Is this really, that terrible compared to UK?
 

You've reminded me of 'Tosh.O' which were were watching yesterday, he was talking about having stolen the US, getting the Chinese to build it and the Blacks to maintain it.

Re: Is this really, that terrible compared to UK?
 

It's a fascinating history and ethnic variations are specifically reflected in certain agricultural and industrial events by region. There were plenty of ethnically "white" groups that came over and were treated basically as slave labor as well. I think this is in part why, in America, some groups cling so tightly to their immigrant/clan heritage. The fact that their personal history was forged in hardship and exploitation is very poignant to them.

Re: Is this really, that terrible compared to UK?
 

Yes indeed. In Britain, the 'building' largely took place overseas but its effects are felt today as well.