One of my pet peeves is the lack of courtesy in some people (as well as them being ignorant about it! Does that make it two?) and today, of all days, I encountered two situations which really tested the limits of my patience.
First experience occurred as I was heading back home for lunch when this car made a sudden u-turn even though my car was less than 100 metres away. Now what really got to me, besides making that rushed u-turn (whereby I was quick enough to apply the brakes and luckily there were no cars behind me), was how the driver was talking on his mobile phone (in one hand) and at the same time trying to settle his child in the back seat! And all that time both his hands weren't even on the steering wheel!?!
Now I'll forgive him for performing that l'il u-turn stunt of his but how dare he risk his child (and probably himself too) by doing all those things at the same time!?! Not only was he committing an offence (talking on the mobile phone whilst driving) but his apparent lack/ignorance of courtesy and responsibility were simply awful. Even my simple act of honking him to show my disgust wasn't strong enough to attract his attention (yes..still busy yapping on his mobile phone!)
As for my next experience..well let's just say what happened this evening proved my point that this country still has a LONG way to go in establishing a customer friendly environment! WIthout going into too much details, all I can say is "shame on the lady (for cutting the queue, pretending not to notice that i'd infact been standing in line for 5 minutes before she joined the queue and placing her order without any remorse whatsoever!) AND the salesgirl (for not apologising to me during and after the incident)"
Of course I didn't forget to give the salesgirl a piece of my mind...
...which unfortunately fell on deaf ears...
Today's incidences weren't my first encounters with people of these sorts (pardon my french there) and probably won't be my last. I admit to not being perfect myself but I'd like to think being courteous and having manners are what makes a person..at least ,part of who that person is.
A simple "i'm sorry" would have sufficed...what's so hard about that?
Just saying it like it is
3 comments:
I totally agree with you Kitty. This country has lack OR none at all, customer friendly environment. It really saddens me for those people behaving that way.
This country unfortunately regardless of its pride of being courteous and people-oriented, is not. The roads are full of ignorant drivers, the shops are full of impatient and rude salespersons and customers, and need I say about some of the TPOR of the government officers!??!Well, I am proud to be a Bruneian but not so much of the rest of our etiquette. How are we to make Visit Brunei 2008 at this rate???
Hi all, really appreciate your comments there. Didn't think anyone would find out about us..this soon!
I know we've all had our share of experiences but knowing that our society cannot even appreciate the simple gesture of saying things
like "thank you" is kinda disappointing in my pov. Or maybe I hold myself to such high standards that things like these tend to easily get me all hot & bothered.
Keep the comments coming..
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