We Pay Them to Be Rude to Us

[nmap]

Written by Peggy Noonan.

In essence, we're a service economy - but those providing the services are sometimes prone to resent and abuse their customers.

Interesting take on the lack of manners, and why that matters.

LINK

[Sigaba]

The problem I have with Ms. Noonan's contribution to the "Things aint like they were in the good ol' days" narrative is that she hearkens back to a past that never existed for many, if not most, Americans. In the heyday of American gentility, millions of citizens had to take on the chin being called by their Christian names--or out of their names entirely--regardless of their own preferences.

Cultural practices are constructs and that just because a construct prevails for years, decades, or centuries, does not mean that it was formed by "agreed-upon rules."

As for the rest, we in service industries need to remember that the customer may not always be right, but the customer is always our customer. That is, until she decides to be someone else's customer.

(That is, unless you want to find someplace to park other than at my facility--it's the only game in this part of town and I'll patiently help you develop other options until you figure that out.

[nmap]

Ahh, Sigaba, we see things so differently. My perception of that past, golden age is quite positive.

(OK, so maybe not quite golden. But sparkling silver, at the very least!)

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by nmap

Ahh, Sigaba, we see things so differently. My perception of that past, golden age is quite positive.

(OK, so maybe not quite golden. But sparkling silver, at the very least!)

Remember, saying something is "silver age" is in some circles a back handed compliment.

And also, I think, even with all the things going on in America and the world, there has not been a better time to be an American than since the Cold War "ended".

My $0.02.

[Richard]

For the most part, I've found such behaviors (with a few exceptions, of course) to be predominantly reflective in nature - and my more recent Gaulic adventures over the last decade or so have led me to conclude that even today's Parisians are not the same caliber of haughty stuffiness of days gone bye-bye.

And as for the 'Silver Age' - now we're talkin' comic books...and now we're talkin'!

Richard's $.02

[greenberetTFS]

The thing about the good "old days",they really were the good old days......... I'm glad I'm an old fart because I wouldn't want to be a kid today............ What they have in front of them scares the living s**t out of me.............

Big Teddy

[dr. mabuse]

I do remember when the stewardesses in coach were fairly consistent in their good attitude toward passengers. Especially the hot pants era of Southwest Airlines.

Now, IMHO, if you really want to be abused, travel with weapons ( of course ) on Delta ( they're NOT ready when you are ) or United and make sure you have a connecting flight through Denver!

BTW, if one wishes to be treated superbly in a grocery store as in days past, just go to East Texas and shop in any of the Brookshire stores. Just like the old days.

[GratefulCitizen]

It's a problem of expectations, an inability to establish boundaries, and unforgiving spirits.

Too many people expect others to recognize boundaries which they have not clearly communicated.
They go on racking up grudges against everyone in the world who ever might of offended them.

This pile of grudges leads to increased sensitivity, and they just rack up grudges even faster.

People need to speak up when something bugs them, and forgive what has already happened.
(However, forgiveness and trust are not the same thing...)

[akv]

At the risk of being a luddite, while technology advances are needed and a net positive for mankind, IMHO the new social applications, facebook, twitter, email etc. reduce actual human interaction, and increase social angst. Folks increasingly seem conditioned to say or do things they would never do in person, and there is less opportunity to display or appreciate basic politeness which is the oil in the machinery of society. I also tend to agree with Sigaba, America is by far a better place to be than any other country, but nostalgia about the good old days depending on your region or background might be rose tinted. The Soviets, and threat of nuclear holocaust, segregation and civil rights struggle, the malaise of inflation and the economic crisis of the Carter years, all of which we as a nation weathered must have added to the stress level.

As for paying folks to be rude to you, that was quite the rage at clubs and restaurants in NYC, and likely still is, few places are worth it IMO. I missed the era of the hot pants Southwest stewardesses, sounds like quite a miss...

[Dozer523]

Originally Posted by nmap

Ahh, Sigaba, we see things so differently. My perception of that past, golden age is quite positive.

(OK, so maybe not quite golden. But sparkling silver, at the very least!)

You squint!