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Q: Why do so many people not want to do their damn jobs here?
I can't count the number of times that when I try to buy something, they will tell me "Sorry, we do not have this item," when it's standing right in front of me. They usually refuse to go back into the room to get me the box.
Previously, they refused to go back into the storeroom to get me a water dispenser. I went back three different times, and they refused to give it to me. "Sorry, we do not have this item." Sometimes they just flat out refused to go back and look. Yet, every single time I return, it's on display.
Today, it happened for the upteenth time. I went to buy a heater (damn it's cold here), and they told me that the entire display of around 30 different models were "not for sale," and that they "didn't have them yet" despite being on display for nearly 3 weeks. I finally lost my cool, started swearing and yelling, "If these fucking items are not for sale, why the fuck are you advertising them?" She then went to get her supervisor who went and got me the damn heater.
This happens way too often, and not just at walmart. People refuse to go back into the store room to look for items and just tell me "没有。" Sometimes, before I even get a chance to open my mouth, they start waving their hands saying "没有，没有，没有."
Why?!
This is true enough, indeed it is and from my own experience and travels, I have also witnessed this kind of behavior in Russia, in the Eastern European countries, etc., etc., in places where the old Soviet style command economy of "we make everything and deliver nothing" attitude still remains entrenched. My own personal experience in the PRC is that I have found this kind of Soviet mentality less prevalent in the more developed parts of the country, i.e., Shanghai and Guangzhou, and far more prevalent in the more economically and societally "awkward" parts of the country. I can share your frustrations and displeasure. This kind of attitude and service holds the country back.
Yep.
I remember I went into Dong dong bao [the fried bao zi place] here and saw they had some fried li ji.
It's like the sweet and sour pork, except without the sauce, just a crispy outer coating on the pork.
Anyways I asked for it, and heard the two employees speaking, thinking I couldn't hear, the women at the counter said 'do we have this?' the other employee said 'no, and I cant be bothered to cook it either.' So the woman at the counter said 'mei you'. Drives me mad.
I remember going into a supermarket and asking someone where something was , she just kinda 'pushed' her hand in one direction and said 'there!' I went there, and it wasn't there, returned and she said 'fourth floor.' I went there asked and they said third floor, went there, they said second floor. I dumped the 1000 rmb of groceries I already had in the middle of the store and left.
诸葛亮:
Wow... where are you? This happens to me ALL the time in CarreFour, Wal-Mart, and Hyper-Mart. For me, METRO is the only place where this doesn't occur.
once i was in a large wumart store and asked where the milk and they told me they didn't have any milk 
..... i don't understand this ethier.
To be fair if I made like $10 a day like a lot of these jobs pay, I wouldn't want to do any work either. Especially if it's a foreigner who probably can't complain or won't be listened to if they complained to my boss anyway. What's the point?
the most difficult thing is when i go to a metro, walmart, rt mart, kfc, mcdonalds, pizzahut, papa johns or carrefour and receive shatty service. i swear it is like they are trying to bring them down to their level. but i always have to remember, do not let the chinese staff turn me off the company.
crimochina:
i must also say i rarely receive bad service at these places.
诸葛亮:
Have you tried Pala? I gave up on KFC after receiving too much shitty service too often. http://www.pala.com.cn
Those guys and gals have gone out of their way to help me, to replace bad food, and to cook things the way I want them cooked. I actualy eat there about twice, sometimes thrice a day. They've given me free food, and have taken the time to explain their specials so I can save money.
My local Pala is a true example of friendliness and great customer service.
诸葛亮:
McDonalds really chaps my ass. I once asked for a simple addition to my food, and they refused to provide it. I even offered to pay extra money, and they still wouldn't do it. Tried it twice with the same result. Never went back.
Pizza Hut tastes like shit to be honest. Haven't tried Papa John's, but we don't have one here.
I find the Chinese different and while I do find many things frustrating, I do try to excuse them. I see Chinese as living at a slower pace, they even walk slow. Some times they won't do things they haven't done before, I think many don't think outside the box, but I have had many help me, like with my phone. The phone is one thing I can't be without. TIC
I think, I have been treated extremely well in my short time here ( 1 year). Everywhere from the banks to the restaurants (imported and local) to the department stores to the haircut place.............. all have been great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's because the people that do these jobs can make the same amount of money, within a couple of hundred mao's a month doing most jobs in China.
They don't care...there is little chance at promotion even with a stellar record because without guanxi you have nothing.
Jobs are everywhere and they have their pick...same shit different pile. How would you react?
Personally I would take the easiest crappy job I could find and not care.
I've worked hard my whole life and lazy people make me frustrated, I don't get it. I can understand most people are paid pretty bad but in my eyes doing the best you can with what you have, leaves a lot of room for advancement to something better. That's just my opinion.
MissA:
Does it really, though? Does the checkout chick genuinely have a chance of advancement there? I'd always assumed no.
But it's not just the people stacking apples in the supermarkets, this happens in banks, public offices etc.
We've had a sales guy at a Volkswagen dealership say that we couldn't try the car, and noone ever tried a car prior to buying it. After some arguing, he starts what is a clear and structured procedure for filling in a form for testdriving, he xeroxes my driverslicense, finds the car, and as we drive onto the road the guard standing by the gate just waves us through. He afterwards told us that the car in question could not be used for driving between cities, not that it wasn't suitable, but that it couldn't be used, which is very hard to believe when in Germany they are racing the autobahn in these everyday.
This is a guy, most likely working on some sort of commission, there were no other customers at the dealership. He should be hungry after the business.
I appreciate your comments. As I've said before, China has the worst customer service. (Just as others have also said!)
Probably because there job sucks and they get paid either way even if they don't satisfy you!
