Friendly Service, Indeed....
Feb. 6th, 2025 02:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lydamorehouse We got our car back from the shop this morning, and... I'm going to miss the loaner.
Because when I picked up the Camery, of course, it didn't start. I had to pop the hood and wiggle the wire and turn the key again. I honestly do not know how the mechanics managed to move my car in and out of the garage, but good for them, I guess. It's also so weird to me that none of them (at Turbo Tim's) have the intellectual/mechanical curiosity to want to understand WHY this happens.
They also never recognize me despite the fact that in any other shop, I'd imagine my car would be the source of much interest for its electrical weirdnesses. I tell them every time how close I live to them, and, every time, I attempt to have a bit of humorous banter with the guy behind the counter. But, I am universally met with a blank stare--if they look at me at all. Usually, they studiously avoid looking up from their various computer screens. I don't think they know who they're talking to half the time.
Even though, I can tell you my mechanic's name is Tony. I could, in fact pick him out of a line-up. The reverse is clearly not true.
Is this a Millenial thing?
I mean seriously.
The barista at my coffee shop also no longer seem to 1) make eye contact at all and so 2) never learn what I look like or my name and 3) stringently rebuff any attempts I make to ask them about their lives or to engage in what my generation thinks of as "friendly chit-chat." To be clear, I don't think anyone "owes me a smile" or even the time of day, but there is a cool indifference to their attitude that does really change my relationship with places that I frequent. Like, not only do I feel no loyalty, I feel actively UNWELCOME there. Turbo Tim's claims to be LGBTQIA+ friendly. Are you kidding me? What do they think "friendly" means? Treat everyone with the same amount of vague disinterest? I mean, I guess that's a kind of equality, but it doesn't feel anything approaching "friendliness." No one extends even the vaguest of pleasantries. Instead, it's all very, "And you are?"
I don't know. I went back to them despite having twice been charged for something they could not fix because I assumed that just being asked to do some routine maintainance would be fine. And, I guess they did the work, so I shouldn't really complain, but I did not feel well taken care of or "valued" as so many places claim to want to do with their customers.
I probably shouldn't be so annoyed. People are just trying to get through. But, I think, in 2025 the issue is that I feel like small kindness are going to MATTER. It's weird when you can't even count on a nice bit of stupid back and forth at the places you do business.
===
Okay, and now I just drove it on the highway to pick up Shawn. THE GROWLING I TOOK IT IN FOR IS STILL THERE. Yes, it's a little better? But it is still bad.
========
Update to the update: I have an appiontment elsewhere. Sorry kitties at Turbo Tim's. I actually need my car serviced.
Because when I picked up the Camery, of course, it didn't start. I had to pop the hood and wiggle the wire and turn the key again. I honestly do not know how the mechanics managed to move my car in and out of the garage, but good for them, I guess. It's also so weird to me that none of them (at Turbo Tim's) have the intellectual/mechanical curiosity to want to understand WHY this happens.
They also never recognize me despite the fact that in any other shop, I'd imagine my car would be the source of much interest for its electrical weirdnesses. I tell them every time how close I live to them, and, every time, I attempt to have a bit of humorous banter with the guy behind the counter. But, I am universally met with a blank stare--if they look at me at all. Usually, they studiously avoid looking up from their various computer screens. I don't think they know who they're talking to half the time.
Even though, I can tell you my mechanic's name is Tony. I could, in fact pick him out of a line-up. The reverse is clearly not true.
Is this a Millenial thing?
I mean seriously.
The barista at my coffee shop also no longer seem to 1) make eye contact at all and so 2) never learn what I look like or my name and 3) stringently rebuff any attempts I make to ask them about their lives or to engage in what my generation thinks of as "friendly chit-chat." To be clear, I don't think anyone "owes me a smile" or even the time of day, but there is a cool indifference to their attitude that does really change my relationship with places that I frequent. Like, not only do I feel no loyalty, I feel actively UNWELCOME there. Turbo Tim's claims to be LGBTQIA+ friendly. Are you kidding me? What do they think "friendly" means? Treat everyone with the same amount of vague disinterest? I mean, I guess that's a kind of equality, but it doesn't feel anything approaching "friendliness." No one extends even the vaguest of pleasantries. Instead, it's all very, "And you are?"
I don't know. I went back to them despite having twice been charged for something they could not fix because I assumed that just being asked to do some routine maintainance would be fine. And, I guess they did the work, so I shouldn't really complain, but I did not feel well taken care of or "valued" as so many places claim to want to do with their customers.
I probably shouldn't be so annoyed. People are just trying to get through. But, I think, in 2025 the issue is that I feel like small kindness are going to MATTER. It's weird when you can't even count on a nice bit of stupid back and forth at the places you do business.
===
Okay, and now I just drove it on the highway to pick up Shawn. THE GROWLING I TOOK IT IN FOR IS STILL THERE. Yes, it's a little better? But it is still bad.
========
Update to the update: I have an appiontment elsewhere. Sorry kitties at Turbo Tim's. I actually need my car serviced.
no subject
Date: 2025-02-07 10:12 pm (UTC)