Bad Service leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
A couple of days back I decided to go to this fabric store in Berkeley that I had heard a lot about. I was really excited that I might actually find some really cool fabric to cover the tables with at the wedding reception. My expectation was that I would have this incredible shopping experience where my eyes would be opened to the many varieties of fabric by people who knew all about it. I didn't think I was wrong to expect such delightful service from an independent, been-around-forever, very Berkeley store. After all their website did say "Our knowledgeable and friendly staff would love to help with your next project!"
What really happened was that when I asked a question, I was replied to very directly and uninterestedly. In yes and no, monosyllabic style. The wisdom and warmth that I hoped would overflow was absent. This while other customers were being attended to with a little more interest. At least that is what I perceived it as. Usually I am able to remind myself that it is possible that the person was having a bad day and that it wasn't personal. But when you can see and hear the judgemental look it is difficult to not take it personally.
The first thing that strikes me is that I am being treated in this way because of the color of my skin or maybe because I am perceived to be a foreigner. Usually I would tell myself that I will just go back to my own country where I wouldn't be treated in this way. Atleast that provided a sort of solace that I did not have to take this sh**. Now, knowing that I am going to be here probably for the rest of my life I can't even use that excuse anymore.
But then I think about bad service I have received in my own country. Then, my logic was that maybe I didn't appear rich enough or wasn't dressed well enough.
What makes me really mad about this particular store is the fact that on paper this is exactly the kind of store I would like to support--independent, embedded in community and all that. I can't blame this behavior on the fact that it is a chain or anything like that.
Rant, rant, rant. Well maybe I'll give them one more try. But no more.
On a lighter note, I know better than to complain at restaurants, after hearing about a lot of urban legends about what happens to one's food if one dares to complain at a food establishment. If you have seen Fight Club you know what I am talking about.
Barnali ... you should rename your blog "Barnali's World" ... that's a cool name I think.
Well my name 'Barnali' means colors of the rainbow or the many colors that come out of a prism. So in a way the name of the blog is Barnali's colorful, many faceted life without sounding too vain!