Sunday, September 26, 2010

ça m'ènerve!

This week, some things have got on my nerves.  I think, more and more like this, as I understand the language.
I found that Cannes is a full of selfish people - tourists, locals, come and go so the local shops or restaurants don't give a damm about making efforts for the customers, as they take customers for granted, they knew or expected that the customers would come to theirs. (if the ambience is good or the tasts is good or some other various reasons. Some of which I think they're rubbish)


It's the customers who need to smile and say bonjour to the sellers or servers at first contact.

Apparently, the French culture is like this, the customers need to be polite to the service provider, if not, they won't listen to you.  (by Talk to the snail, Stephen Clark)

Yesterday, I went to the next door mini supermarket called "Spar" just to buy a bottle of milk. It costed 1.50 euro but I only had 10euro note, 30 centimes and a bit of coppers. The woman asked me whether I had a smaller money but I said no I didn't...
She open the till showing me some 1 euro coins and said, "If I gave you those coins, I can't continue my business the rest of the day"
I could not believe what I was hearing and said "Well, if I had a smaller money, I would have given it to you but I said I didn't." "Usually here, it's the customer who brings the sufficient money to shop, it's not the problem with the shop! that's the rule in France here"
Obviously, she was telling me this, knowing I was a foreigner.
"I've been living just around the corner for a few years, I have never been treated like this. It's not normal!!"

I said, and left the shop and went to another shop next door. They were cool about me not having a smaller money, so I managed to get what I needed.

When my hubby got back from Paris trip later that night, I told him about what had happened with the woman at the Spar including the French rule and all that.  He said, that's bullsxxt. 
There were other things that got on my nerves this week, (see japanese version, if possible) I feel like a grumpy old woman complaining about small stuff... oh no don't want to....but I feel like losing it. it's important. I live here, I am entitled to live comfortably.

I will continue saying what I want to say or what I think it's right. If not, I'd become a loser here.
Oh, peops, don't go to that shop!! Or is it just me??? whatever.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

That sounds awful! I would have been fuming. Not at all the impression you normally get of France, I would've thought they'd be stellar at customer service, but then I've never been there;-)

Zzie said...

Hi Kristine,

I know,I haven't been so angry like this for years,not even in England. Something clicked on my head and said what I needed to say, despite my limited french. But I will make an official complaint later on, whether it'll work or not, no idea.

Some don't understand the customer service sprit. If their business is not doing well,they'd blame on customers. They may provide services but they don't want to be the servants, hence the minimum services not value added service.