I was in a shop yesterday where I stood waiting my turn to be served. I watched the young man as he served each customer before me, I was wondering just how long it might take him to get to the point of actually saying thank you to one of the customers. Then again maybe it is just me. Maybe people no longer want to here somebody say thank you.
Later I popped into the newsagents where I was greeted with the exact opposite. Here the lady greeted me with, “Good afternoon darling, and your paper. Is that all I can do for you today sweetie? You have a nice day now.” I could almost swear she said it with an American accent. Now please forgive me that was not intended to be at all anti American. I just have not heard that over here, but like everything else it was bound to come.
So I am never happy. The first lad seems to have lost it completely, it was almost as if he did not want to be there, the second just did not sound for minute as though she meant it.
What happened to just being nice to each other, interested in each other?
Where is all this leading to I hear you ask? Well before I get there can I apologise to those of a sensitive nature, but I just could not help myself when I was told this story. I did really laugh out loudly , and it was so appropriate after my experience in the two shops.
It was a friend asking me what ever happened to the meaning of the word service. She said she was now totally confused about what the word service meant until yesterday.
She thought about all the places the word seemed to be used but was confused why.
Internal Revenue 'Service'
Postal 'Service'
Telephone 'Service'
Cable TV 'Service'
Civil 'Service'
State, City, County & Public 'Service'
Customer 'Service'
It seemed that the word service was being used out of context when you consider how each of the above respond to you. She then went on to tell me how it all fell into place when she heard two farmers having a discussion. One was telling the other how he had hired a wonderful bull to service all his cows.
In that moment she realised what the word service meant in our modern society.
I hope you see this in the humorous way I did even now I am still laughing as I retell it to you.
Please do have a nice day.
This blog is linked to my other. Where Do You Go To My Lovely
Excellent post, Ralph. And I laughed out loud myself. Somehow I would guess the lady at the paper stand was older. They know the value of service. With what jobs pay today, people don't care about providing service and doing a good job. Low paying jobs are a dime a dozen and if they get fired from one, there is another that will hire for the same rate of pay.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteROTFLMAO!
ReplyDeleteHahahaha!
ReplyDeleteI'll never think the same way about that word 'service' again, hahaha! It is attached to a lot of business names over here. I'm involved with the public all the time in my job, and my boss thinks I'm crazy to listen to all their stories, and try to help them all I can...go figure. Makes my day happy when I make others happy. The meaning of service for younger ones has changed much these days, and that's a shame. I always enjoy your art of painting and your art of story telling.
ReplyDeleteThe 'service' story makes me laugh... but I think where we live has a lot to do with the courtesies people extend.. I've lived in areas where the person behind the counter doesn't even make eye contact, just takes your money.
ReplyDeleteBut I've lived in smaller communites and one now , where they are sincerely courteous. If you live in a city like Tampa, a man will go out the door before you and the door slams in your face, ... Here in my town.. you not only get the door held you get Yes, ma'am , no ma'am and thank you .. that is VERY different.. I will hold the door open for a man anytime.. It's a Southern thang. LOL ! it's just common courtesy,, and it's going by the wayside. in a lot of places.. .. Shame. BJ
ha..being in a service industry..not like the bull :). I am amazed at how rude people are to cashiers, service people..generally though I can get them out of themselves and talking as if I was a long lost friend. But some days..I just want to throw their change on the floor!!!
ReplyDeleteThat said..I find 85% of people are just somewhere else in their head..the other 15% are rude because they can be. Ralph I try to be a happy nice person to the public..sometimes it is a trial..but it is no skin off my nose to behave nicely and hopefully make someone feel ok about their day. Oh and I am guilty of calling people "Hon" as in honey..just sort of slips out..then I get the giggles and now everyone is happy!
the cow said, "was i just serviced? cuz it felt a lot like getting screwed! mooooooo!"
ReplyDeleteangel-star
Oh MY!! hahahahaha let me pick myself up off of the floor now. Is that what the IRS does? hahahaha snort...
ReplyDeleteI am gonna have fun retelling this one too. Thanks for sharing Ralph! I love your blog.
Yes, service can certainly mean many things : -)) And I totally agree with you on the first part, some good old fashioned person to person kindness/helpfulness would work wonders in life quality!
ReplyDelete