Commentary

Some 'customer' service, please

By KAVELLE ANGLIN-CHRISTIE, Staff Reporter

I HAVE DECIDED to deviate from my usual discussions about love and relationships, to this week talk about customer service in this country ­ have nothing to say but "Dear God!"

It's as if no one realises the benefits of courtesy anymore. I have several examples that will more than prove my humble point.

I was recently standing in line to buy food. Now, gentle reader, I am a vegetarian, so I ordered the only thing I could ­ the fish. When I got to the front of the line, I asked for the fish, and the cashier looked at me as if I was the 12-horned beast referred to in Revelations.

"I don't know if we have any fish," she said, probably expecting me to step aside for the next customer.

"But can't you look if you have any," I asked, hoping my irritation wasn't obvious.

"No, don't you see there are customers behind you," she said.

"So how are you going to know if there is any fish there if you don't look. The people are going to be coming for the food, so you have to look," her co-worker interrupted.

"We are waiting on the fish too," those behind said.

I tried to hide my smile.

Another incident occurred when I went to court recently. On entering the courtroom, I showed my ID to the officer and was about to enter, while asking if there were any seats available. He put his foot in the way, "Who are you, and what do you want?"

So I did what any Christian would do, I said nothing and shook my ID at him. He mimicked me. So I repeated who I was, while showing my ID again.

Feisty

Believe it or not, this individual proceeded to call me feisty while pushing me out of the court and closing the door in my face. Had the world gone mad?

What, however, got this whole thing started, was when I called to speak to someone at his office, and his assistant answered.

"Is Mr. So and So in?" I asked

"No, he isn't in office right now," she answered.

"Do you expect him back?"

"He isn't in office right now."

I thought, maybe she didn't hear what I said. "Will he be coming back into the office this evening?" I repeated.

"Ma'm, I am his assistant, and he isn't in office right now."

Still thinking that maybe she didn't understand what was happening, I decided to take it on to myself to explain the situation. "You said he isn't in right now, but that could mean that he will be coming back, so is he?"

"He isn't in office right now."

"You know a little customer service could go a long way ­"

She slammed the phone down.

What was happening here? Again?

My final example took place recently when I went to Montpelier, St. James. After introducing myself to the sergeant at the particular place, and showing my ID, he said, "I will not be answering your questions."

I thought this was strange, especially since the greetings had ended less than one hundredth of second before.

I calmly explained my purpose to him, because by then he may have passed out the hot rock that ailed him.

"Look, I don't know who you are, or where you're from, but I am not going to speak to you."

He then proceeded to escort me to the company vehicle and write down the licence plate number, the telephone number, and everything that was printed on the side of the car in the palm of his hand. Probably drawing the company's emblem ­ 'G' ­ as well.

This whole, escorting thing was really getting out of hand. What is wrong with people today? They act as if they aren't doing actual 'jobs', but more like volunteer programmes, so they have a reason to be rude. Don't companies and employers educate their staff on "good customer service?"

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