THE EDITOR, Sir:
I HAVE always thought that my first letter to the Editor would centre on some issue of national prominence, crime, politics or police excesses. However, having just returned to office after a less than worthwhile trip to the car wash, I found that it was really just the last straw.
Throughout life we are beset with catch phrases exemplifying the qualities of service - 'Service above self' and 'Service is sacred' etc. If only we could realise that good service is not about being subservient or some hereditary trait left as a relic from slavery.
Do I expect more than others, am I just plain miserable, or is it that my tolerance for mediocre to just plain downright sloppy service has evaporated in the face of what hopefully is not a national onslaught?
The 'No rush auto care' car wash on Chelsea Avenue really lived up to its name Friday, September 13. I went, I sat, I waited, after about half an hour and nobody 'rushing' to ask me if I was getting through, I enquired of a young 'lady' decked out in her 'uniform' short shorts if somebody could tell me what time my car would be washed. She sat down and in between bites (she had just arrived to work sometime after 10 a.m.) made the enquiry of another employee. I sat, I waited, no response from the 'lady.'
I got up made the enquiry of her again, to which she responded that there were some cars ahead of me. I suggested to her that she could have told me this, no response, back to breakfast, or brunch. I am ignored. So I leave. I am sure this will not affect her salary at the end of the week.
On the September 11 I visited KFC's Old Hope Road outlet, after a break of some months because a manager there had been rude to me (On the request/instructions of Restaurants of Jamaica she called and apologised). I give the cashier a pleasant greeting (blank stare), I suggest she could be a bit more pleasant (blank stare). I place my order two servings of the new Spicy BBQ wings and a serving of fries, tender my money and proffer a thank you (blank stare). I repeat the advice about the need to be pleasant.(blank stare).
I get my order from another employee (no enjoy your meal), head outside only to see that they have lumped the two servings in one box. I return, point out the error to the cashier she takes back the order (no apology). I wait, the employee who served me and to whom the box is returned is engaged in conversation with another employee. Eventually she serves me again (no enjoy your meal, no apology). I suggest that an apology would be in order. "Is not my fault is the cashier fault!" They can speak! I suggest to her that the order is clearly marked 2 servings she turns her back and goes back to 'work.'
I get the manager on duty's attention . The manager was courteous and apologised. I went outside and looked at the boxes, messy would be an understatement, the employee in transferring some of the wings doused sections of both boxes with BBQ sauce (caused by the chicken touching the box when being moved from one to another).
Another sore point and it concerns my bank NCB (no not about charges!) I went recently to open a foreign exchange account and was required to fill out not only the application form, but some long-winded form that according to the bank will help them to serve me better. Why on earth should I be forced to tell the bank which is my favourite TV station, newspaper and what extra curricular activities I like? If you need that information send out a circular and solicit responses. I should not be held hostage in the bank for an extra hour because I need to open the account so that I can lodge a cheque. I should not be a captive participant.
There are so many other incidents, but time and space do not permit a complete listing. I would only hope that we begin as a nation to realise the importance of service.
I am etc.,
DAVID GEDDES
Trafalgar Road
Kingston 10
