Tonight's photo: All Ye Who Enter Here Abandon All HopeWith a few exceptions, it would be true to say that shops in Lane Cove would have difficulty putting the words "customer" and "service" in the same paragraph - let alone next to each other.
For example, we have a bottle shop where the male staff are more devoted to talking to their mates who wander in off the street, than to customers buying an $80 bottle of whisky, and a main supermarket where you have more chance of finding staff sitting outside on a wall having a cigarette, than you would actually inside on the check-out tills.
But even those offer far better customer service than the Woolworth's owned, "Food For Less."
As soon as you enter the store your energy level seems to vanish - drained by the overwhelming negative energy generated by those whose who "serve".
The worst time to go shopping is weekday mornings when the store is staffed by the Over-The Hill-Female-Mafia. Led by an officious Scottish woman who hustles around looking busy while achieving absolutely sod all, she is supported by stony faced assistants who give every impression that their goal in life is to avoid smiling at all costs.
There is a long serving Indian woman who now and then manages a smile, but absolutely nothing in the way of verbal greetings or "goodbyes". If you draw the short straw and are unlucky enough to be served by another long serving staff member, you may as well brace yourself for a long wait.
This European lady doesn't even look at you or your items as she checks them out - she is invariably talking to the other staff or her daughter and grandkids, who seem to spend more time visiting her in the store than they do in her own home.
I have known her going on for about eight years or more, and have never had anything remotely resembling a smile or even any sign of recognition.
This morning I was held up for far longer than was necessary because of her constant chattering to other staff members - and what appeared to be some sort of family reunion - complete with kids and pushchairs blocking the entrance.
And yes, I have tried being friendly. I always greet shop assistants with a "Hello, how are you today?" but I no longer waste my time doing so in this store. They just look at you as though you have asked them something very improper and very likely illegal.
The only reason people shop in Food For Less, is because it is nearly always empty.
Gee - I wonder why.
Wherever you may be - be safe!
Normal format will return on Thursday Oct 12, Sydney time
