Life in China: Service

Just so you guys know, you people over there in the Western Hemisphere have NO IDEA what customer service means. None at all. Should you ever come and visit, one of our stops will be to Carrefour, to purchase some sort of something. Anything, really. Why, you ask? So you can experience Chinese customer service.

For instance.

The other day I was there purchasing an air purifier. And I am obviously some sort of celebrity, based on the manner in which people scurried around to assist me. At one point, I looked around and realized there were eleven, count 'em, ELEVEN people helping me. None of whom spoke English, but it's amazing what you can get accomplished with pointing, gestures, a lot of smiling and, occasionally, a call to your driver waiting in the parking lot so he can translate over the phone. After the transaction was completed my purchase, which was about the size of a largish hamster cage (and acutally kinda resembles one) was DELIVERED to my house, because there was obviously no way a fragile laowai girl like me could be expected to carry it all the way to the car. Another call to my driver to find out my address (shut up! It's like 8 lines long and different in Chinese than in English) and we were off.

But it's not just big ticket items that secure this kind of service. In every aisle, there are workers stationed every 8 feet ready to help you choose your desired items. And by help you, I mean start loading different mops than the one you want into your cart, while earnestly assuring you that this one is better. And it is cheaper than the one you want, too, so you should probably listen. But you don't, because you are a dumb American and don't feel like being pushed around. So you buy the one you chose. And you get it home. And you realize you should have listened.

In the grocery store--I have not loaded my own groceries onto the little conveyer belt thingie once in three weeks. There are at least 4 employees unloading, checking, bagging and re-loading your purchases. Then one of them will push the cart out to your car, where he and your driver will load your groceries. You are not allowed to help.

In a restaurant--there will be at least 4 people in charge of serving your table. And they will stand about 3 feet behind you, waiting to leap into action should your water, for instance, get less than half full, or your child drop a napkin on the floor (new napkins for everyone!) or you need anything at all. And should it be a buffet, and you have a child with you, the headwaiter WILL carry your child's plate around and get them their food, and they WILL bring you things while you sit at your table. And at any restaurant but the very busiest, the waitresses WILL watch your children for you in the designated play area, or take them on a tour of the kitchens, or break out the play-doh on a nearby table, so you can have a peaceful meal with the other adults. And they will NOT expect or accept a tip for any of this. But you do have to get used to the idea that privacy no longer exists. People are getting paid to sit and watch you eat. So get on with it.

In our neighborhood--your outside garbage can is smaller than my old kitchen garbage can. "How can this be right?" you think, "we will never fit all our trash into this can!" You will, though, since the garbage is collected TWICE A DAY! By guys pulling big wagons with their bikes. It's amazing.

There are even more examples of this, but I can't remember them now, because I've already gotten used to it. You just have to see it to believe it.