We ain't got the smarts

I quite miss Madison and Chicago - when it comes down to it, it's really all about the friendliness. Or service level.

It sucks so bad that even retail cashiers sometimes don't even acknowledge our support with a simple "Thank you!" or something along those lines. I love the good old, "Hello! How are you doing today?". Or, black-faced ones who don't even bother apologising for keeping us waiting. Granted, the person in front was a little tedious and quite spoilt their day, but what about the customer behind? The difference is, these cashiers are being paid and get a poor day; the one behind is PAYING and gets a waiting line too. Although admittedly, it did get a little dreary sometimes having to answer the same questions again and again, it really does keep the mood up. Try saying Hello to a bus driver here - best you'd get is a nod, usually you get ignored, or - the nightmare situation - "HUH?"

Was wondering how come our lovely campaigns never did work - in fact, I seriously doubt the efficacy of "campaigns". They seem to be just bureaucratic tidbits that civil servants come up with just because they feel they have to pretend to do something to earn that salary of theirs. Empty talk. Superficial actions. Words splashed all over the media, sometimes accompanied by all-too-perfect (*cough* cofm *cough*) depictions of how we should be "courteous". Perhaps, a politeness campaign sometime round the corner? Just look at China, that run-down POS of a country. Gigantic banners everywhere ... they used to be all about a certain Mr. Monoamine oxidase, but right now you get sickeningly familiar public brain-wash and behavior modification notices. Do they really work? Well, let's see. Oh yes, of course the waitresses stand by the doors and bow and greet and do all that shit, but what's really deep down inside? Try asking for an extra packet of ketchup, and observe those eyes. "F* you", they say. And I guess scams are also the norm of the day.

So, the bottom line - campaigns are empty talk. It's like, "Come, everybody! Let's all be courteous and nice! See? you've got this lovely foolish lion mascot to look up to! What?? Who wants to start being nice? Oh, you have to take initiative!"

Things don't happen spontaneously. Someone's got to start, somewhere. And who better to start than the people actually organising it?

I guess what I'm trying to suggest is, for better efficacy and exerting a role-model effect, people with the ability and power should wield this sword and take the first step. How many workers are there in CMPB? In the imigrations department? In HDB hub? In the national library? I could go on and on. Mandatory politeness training at this point in time, coupled with a good system of quality-control in terms of "soft" qualities (waiting times, comfortable seats, huge LCD screens - nice, but still bull), seem rather viable. I'd definitely love to see the day when I can step into any governmental institution and be greeted politely and *warmly*. That makes all the difference. Anyone can feign politeness, but few can do it well. Since people are supposedly clamouring for jobs, why not use this opportunity to skim the creme? If people can go to all the trouble with "hard" qualities like taking computer courses to upgrade themselves, surely it's so much easier to upgrade their own personalities. Unlike superficial qualities which requirements change with time, certain things that belong deep in you stay forever, and they will still be gems to behold, no matter the time or age.

It's sordid - we can ask for all sorts of things, but overlook some that are really important. At least, to me. I'd sooner pay for poor food but excellent service, than to make do with piquant cuisine and waitresses that:

1. Keep interrupting with whether you want to order more (read: "if you don't want to buy more than don't hog our tables, dammit, get the hell out of here"). In extremely exceptional circumstances, I did have excellent waitresses asking, "Is everything alright?" The result? Innocent flirting on my part, and an extra little something above the 10% service charge when I do part.

2. Exhibit spontaneous facial melena when you ask for something extra, like another fork or a new wine glass (horror stories from lousy wanna-be wine restaurants where waitresses serve wine in every wrong way you can think of, and expect you to use the same glass for 2 different wines, and don't even provide clean water for flushing - that shall come another day). Where's the delight in making someone else's evening enjoyable? Are you truly earning your wages? Or just drawing them?

3. Take forever to come back with change - yeah, do that that and instead of getting my spare change you'll find a napkin enclosed in the receipt book. This happened a few days ago, and I do hope that waitress realised what that meant. If not, woe be her.

I guess I rarely go into political rants, but some things just irk me so much. A casual accident? That's fine. But you see this each and every single day.

Perhaps, I'd be some good in government after all. But - no, thank you very much.

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