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So true
06/05/2008 13:12
No point in getting all riled up to no effect. Take a deep breath, roll your eyes and wait another week. But I know the feeling though. We're all philosophical until it comes to our own new cellphone that takes a month to arrive. - Petra |
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SO True!
06/05/2008 13:12
And yet, while the rest of the world (excluding African countries) continually strive to become more efficient and improve their way of life, SA is going backwards. Although I've also come to accept this sad reality, we deserve better. Hopefully, the ANC's time is coming to an end... - Brian |
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Comment
06/05/2008 13:21
Thanks a great article. I can relate to your friends dilemma concerning his cell phone. The same thing happened to my fiance. Three weeks ago, and he is still waiting for his new phone, only in Africa. - carol |
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T.I.A.
06/05/2008 13:21
This is Africa (aka T.I.A) and i think your column is very spot on...some people expect something else ...maybe because they stumbled back from UK or USA , somehow expecting that SA might have advnaced and become "first world"...this is africa...it may have some flaws but its never boring... - Brazen |
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well said....
06/05/2008 13:24
I am also one of those who sometimes forgets I am living in Africa...I seem to remind others but forget to remind myslef..and then when I do suddenly realise that I am indeed still in Africa..I start panicking and realise that I need to get the hell out of here sooner than later!... good article. - k |
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Well, not quite
06/05/2008 13:27
Yes, we live in Africa, but that's no reason to sit back and ignore poor service. After all, aren't we aspiring to be better? There are those willing to provide service. They may be more expensive than the next guy, but they'll be getting my hard-earned cash because they do what they promise. Slowly more SA businesses are realising this. Pity we can't simply use a different government (except the likes of Helen Zille who's is doing a great job with Cape Town :-) - Craig |
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So true
06/05/2008 13:32
Despite the fact that I'm a down-to-earth kinda guy, I totally agree with you David, people need to chill the f up!!! - RicciRich |
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Chill
06/05/2008 13:40
So true - chill, join an imbhizo or two - MJS |
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david
06/05/2008 13:44
David for president, you david seem to have all in the right frame of mind. I believe in you.great article again. - sandie |
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Yes chill, that is the problem
06/05/2008 13:51
If I look at how much money I personally loose because of poor service, I really want to know what the total is for the country. The level of service in SA borders on theft. Service is actually very good when the service deliverer can make a buck. After you signed for that cellphone contract, good service is non-existant. I am still trying to stop MTN from debeting money from my bank account, even though the contract has been cancelled 6 months ago. - Urizen |
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Life in Africa
06/05/2008 13:52
As always a nice one. Sometimes ranting and raving can get things done. Bought a new car, a year later it would not start. I had it serviced twice at the dealership where I bought it. I was about to go on holiday (was a Friday afternoon) They told me to come back later (maybe Monday or Tuesday?). I ranted and raved and an hour later my car was fixed. Went on holiday and never any car trouble again. - flip |
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True
06/05/2008 13:56
However we have a very first world approach to tax collection, including 1st world levels of taxation. So forgive me for expecting my moneys worth! - Dylan Green |
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this is sooooo true!!
06/05/2008 13:59
Great to read something which can be applied! No matter how hard we "aspire" to do better, unfortunately the man next door does not! People will continue to walk the same road of high expectations!... to be realistic, will lighten the load considerably! - Ims |
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Ag no Brian...
06/05/2008 14:00
Is it really fair to blame the ANC for everything even a cellphone that arrived late from a private business? You really hate them neh? - Godfrey |
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Africa Time
06/05/2008 14:02
Eish... So true. But, home is where the heart is, and my heart is here. Africa is still the best, poor service and all. Lets just smile and enjoy life. - Herman |
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Funny yet so true
06/05/2008 14:04
The trick is to always stay positive. People walking out into the middle of the road for no apprent reason used to frighten the hell outta me, until i realised i developed Schumacher-like reactions! The abysmal service in the Western Cape has allowed me to reach Ghandi-like levels of patience. Now when the plumber calls to tell me he's running a few minutes late, i laugh heartily, he laughs and we both share an African moment together.... - Nick |
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T.I.A.
06/05/2008 14:05
nail on the head bru, nail on the head... - RJM |
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not that bad
06/05/2008 14:08
After 8 years in the UK, I assure you the service there is just as bad. Those who complain how backward and slow things are over here have probably spent little time elsewhere. I also try and think where most of the people serving us in this country come from. Most waiters in restaurants have never event been out for a meal, neither do any petrol pump guys have cars. Yet mostly they always serve you with a smile, albeit sometimes slow. - Pieter |
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Argh, David...
06/05/2008 14:09
Your article is too true, and I also want a cow in my garden (fresh milk daily!). Unfortunately the inbred white-trash folk browsing News24 are going to moan and point fingers at Europe and all those wonderful things that are greener on the other side. Trust me, as a fairly well traveled dude, having lived in the UK and spend regular time in the US - there is no better place to live than South Africa. Trust me on that! - Ryan Matthews |
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Smell the roses, not the fertilizer
06/05/2008 14:12
There's a lot to be said for living a quieter sort of life in Cape Town.
I now live in New York, and I thank my lucky stars that as a South African I know how smile and enjoy the ride when things don't go my way.
There's no point raising the blood pressure over things that are trivial. That's true for any continent and any country. - Amdar4 |
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halala africa
06/05/2008 14:13
I couldn't stop laughing after reading this post and the replies, I've been waiting for my phone to be repaired for almost 3 months now, after I've only had it for a month. Where do we draw the line, because I feel like vloeking anything that's yellow. Gotta love this place.
- Jo |
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dont sweat the small shite..
06/05/2008 14:14
yep, I agree David, but i am not going to allow service levels to drop even more and idiotic behaviour to become more acceptable - charmaine |
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well done!!!!!!!!!
06/05/2008 14:16
Good stuff having the same problem as grant I needed this to cool down!! - JF |
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Sad to have to accept but what option do we have?
06/05/2008 14:16
This is all sadly true. I am one of the people who just patiently wait while some inefficient idiot who doesn't have a clue makes a half hearted attempt at what could be loosely classified as service. I have friends who rant and rage and burst a blood vessel to no avail. In fact all they get is a surprised look from the "Servicer". I mean really, did you actually they would do as they said they would. We have to accept it and this is the reason we will never catch up to the rest of the world. - Karen |
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Not only in Africa, mind you
06/05/2008 14:17
I was in London for 2 years and it can be just as bad, trust me. Your waiter will take your order, then not show up again until you get up to find them for the bill. A shoe shop wouldn't call another branch to find my size 'cos it was a Sunday?! And if you need to speak to the bank/tax office/home affairs, you reach someone in China/India/Russia who hardly speaks English and doesn't understand you anyway! - CS |
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Africa
06/05/2008 14:20
What mr. Moseley is forgetting is that giving a poor service provider the riot act is the only place we have to vent our fairly large amount of built up steam. I say give-em-hell. If you want to deliver a service to our over stressed public - do so at own risk! - Tiaan |
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africa
06/05/2008 14:22
It is commonly known as a quality of life issue. Here in US we have ditto problem but on a much smaller scale, the morons comprise only 15% of the population.james. - james |
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Expect nothing, live frugally on surprise
06/05/2008 14:24
Awesome article! The best opening line I've read. - amused |
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Africa my beginning, Africa my ending
06/05/2008 14:25
Some of the issues that you are relating to are too familiar. I seem to laugh at them as they happen, like an angry driver who'll show you his middle finger busy and shout as you make a little mistake on the road. Africans (this refers to pink,white,black, blue ppl) in Gauteng are the usual suspects when it comes to lack of patience. In some cases you find ppl who are prepared to destroy the township when most of the township is at work. But I still love this place, I belong here. - Eksodas |
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Enjoy the "life" in our country
06/05/2008 14:25
What a beaut - "What you believe, you will see". Enjoy what our country has to offer and stop whining about it not being a first world country. Who wants to live in an over-regulated society where everyone acts like programmed robots in any rate? T.I.A and it is worth celebrating!! - bosjac |
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Disgusting
06/05/2008 14:29
This type of attitude is very disturbing. Mediocrity is the first step to failure! How can we sit back and accept below average performance. We are all capable of being punctual and not being misleading, why should we accept a poor level of service delivery from those who are essentially stealing from the business they work for and the customer that pays for service? This is the same as theft! If it were not for Grant and others who complain, service would not exist!
One point which we should take from this article is that we should not let these types of things effect our emotional status; instead we should do some thing that will have a positive effect on the situation. We should aim for the top if we don?t reach it well that?s not the end of the world but at least we would be better off than the rest of Africa.
- Stu |
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Acceptance
06/05/2008 14:32
this is where things get dirty... You are willing to live with the state of things. You also seem to make it acceptable to let the small things. But in reality South Africa and the rest of the continent will always be a 3rd world country as long as we don't expect our expectations to be met.... And I think you are writing this from the luxury of your nice soft couch and not powered of a generator in the back of shack. - J?ne |
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S'Efrian service
06/05/2008 14:32
A realistic bit of philosophy. Nevertheless, I will never get used to being lied to. - Robert |
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Not always true
06/05/2008 14:37
I've been dealing with a computer company in New York over the past 6 months just to buy and install a certain program.I cannot describe the poor attitude and slow reaction of those people, it is worst than 3rd World.I think you'll get poor service everywhere, not only in SA. - Gerrit |
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Stu-
06/05/2008 14:37
You need to chill out my friend..The way you are going is not healthy for you...What exactly are you in a hurry for.One day I am obviuosly going to die therefore I should chill out and enjoy my life.my advice chief CHILL OUT.chill out and enjoy your God given 70 years without stress...CHILL OUT CHIEF..relax and enjoy life..take time to listen to birds and watch sun sets..CHILL - Kolobe |
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Not only in Africa
06/05/2008 14:42
Don't be mistaken by thinking this only happens in Africa. Take it from someone who lived in London for many years, everything there takes time. Whenever I received good service I was surprised...amazed...shocked by it! - RM |
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Er, you think its only here?
06/05/2008 14:43
I've been in the East, I've been in the West, you think its any better elsewhere - here's an honest appraisal - as far as I can tell, "World Class" anything is non-existant, anywhere in the world. Unless you have lots of money, or are a super hot chick. Neither of which apply to me... dammit! - Baker |
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Amazement
06/05/2008 14:49
An awesome pair of boobs always amazes me. Rob. - R. Lightbody |
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Ja well no fine
06/05/2008 14:50
You know David it is those same people who strip their bolt and get worked up about things not working that are at the reins of anything that is still working in this country. Don't worry they will be gone soon and then we can sit here with the lights off, not being able to drink the water or drive on the roads and experience complete peace and happiness. We can laugh at those stupid frustrated people and say "TIA, and I love it" - Mike |
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Ja well no fine
06/05/2008 14:53
You know David it is those same people who strip their bolt and get worked up about things not working that are at the reins of anything that is still working in this country. Don't worry they will be gone soon and then we can sit here with the lights off, not being able to drink the water or drive on the roads and experience complete peace and happiness. We can laugh at those stupid frustrated people and say "TIA, and I love it" - Mike |
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Must we accept
06/05/2008 14:54
Ryan Mathews, are you one of those people that just accepts continuos gross-incompetence? Not all of us live by those standards. - SH |
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Whingers
06/05/2008 14:54
When I go to the PostOffice in the cue there are always the same old whingers, Sad old white people. These people are too narrrow minded and white supremist to realise that the same shit happens in Europe and the US. In my mind I'm always thinking "het a life you sad old bastard". - phillip |
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poor service
06/05/2008 14:55
What a lame argument. According to you we should all make peace with inefficiency. No ways. I recently had an experience with a CT-based company that found it "too risky" to install a skylight at our house. I simply found someone else who did it with absolutely no fuss. See, we don't have to take it.And by the way, road rules are there to be OBEYED, even in Africa! - Gerhard |
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Disagree
06/05/2008 14:59
I agree that we all need to try and keep cool and not loose our tempers, it achieves nothing. But to strug off bad service of any kind as TIA is foolish. We are highly taxed and should therefore expect a decent service from out government. We also don't pay less for goods or services in South Africa (we pay much more for telecoms here) so we should expect better service. Not complaining just ensures more bad service. But hey if you wish to be a victim of bad service, do right ahead. - Rian |
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Only in Africa
06/05/2008 14:59
I met a girl from Holland two weeks ago and she told me how shocked she was when she waited about an hour for her MacDonalds meal. She thought it would be like in Europe: in, order, out. This is Africa. Nothing happens like it does in Europe. At least she learned her lesson: it's quicker to cook a meal from scratch than order from MacD's! - Shannon |
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Restaurant service is better in S. Africa
06/05/2008 15:00
I live in Australia. The other day I asked a waitress how big the steaks on the menu were. She said, 'Depends how long you cook it. If you cook it more it gets smaller'. Someone pass me a sign for her... - Bonny |
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Travel and u will see worse
06/05/2008 15:08
After i visited India, I promised id never complain about SA. Our roads are a million times better, our ppl are 10 million times cleaner, our ppl dont pooh by the roadside in full view of everyone, and at least the goods have prices so you dont get ripped off. - sonali |
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Stu
06/05/2008 15:15
As a person who enjoys the odd misdameanor (how the hell do you spell that?)on my motorbike, I am glad I dont live in a European nanny state. I did for a while, so I know what I am talking about. As for Stu - take a pill, dude. Smell the flowers. Relax. - greggo |
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Not only here...
06/05/2008 15:16
I recently returned from Japan, and the difference between service levels here and there are staggering. I bought a camera and the staff were so helpful, not just because he was getting a commission, but because it is his job. Everywhere we went, people were helpful, friendly, efficient and polite, it was amazing. And, they don't expect tips in Restaurants either, not even for exceptional service, and will not accept a tip if proffered. - Dee |
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well well well
06/05/2008 15:18
you know what really pisses me off? the fact that all dvd's one hire at any given dvd-shop seem to be scratched and aren't working properly in my machine.
why must we pay for this?? this is crap!! IT UPSETS ME!
if i could move out of this country, i would. i was always saying i'll stay and be a part of our beautiful country.
the recent total insanity of the petrol price and food prices and all that (and the scorpions-debacle) just broke me to pieces. i despise everything that's wrong with SA - jakkalsblou |
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No excuse for apathy - what? roll over and perish?
06/05/2008 15:19
Yep, I agree - this is Africa. That is no excuse for poor service standards etc. Everybody starts somewhere, it takes some people longer to get a clue than others sometimes, and there is certainly no hope for change without the catalysts that complaining citizens can provide. We have to stop being mindless consumers, sitting back and expecting things to stay the same or that we have absolutely no power to change things. Come on man, we have more power than we think. - van |
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Yes and that is the reason
06/05/2008 15:21
Why we deserve all the rubbish we are given, internet access is none existent, we think crime is ok, we think rubbish service from the above mentioned is ok, we just accept and keep on accepting rubbish like this.....with our attitudes we deserve....it....
WALOBS - TIA....and what does that mean that for the next 400 years we must just accept that this is Africa ans so we must suck it up and just accept it....no wonder we are the laughing stock of the developed world......We have all the resor - bob |
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Stu, I agree
06/05/2008 15:25
If we don't insist on high standards, or are too shy to complain when they are not met, it's inevitable that service levels will drop further. To me, the "chill out" attitude sounds like apathy. It makes people sound like they don't care, and are too lazy and accepting to bother defending their position, let alone the concept of high standards! - Shaheer |
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narrow minded
06/05/2008 15:26
I hate and cannot take poor service but to say that this happens only in africa is a bit narrow minded. Would you please be so kind to provide a statistics which would undoubtedly show that such things DO NOT happen anywhere else except in Africa. - cy |
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Greggo & Kolobe
06/05/2008 15:29
Thanks for being so concerned! I'm not too stressed. I do go on to say that we should not take these things personally i.e. let them stress us out. Just do some thing possitive in return... i.e. Make sure our business out does those who can't, thats all. - Stu |
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jackalsblou...
06/05/2008 15:33
You know what really pisses me off? People that think rising petrol and food prices are a purely South African problem. People who think its only SA that has problems. People who think scratched DVD's are a problem. Ignorant people that dont actually think. - greggo |
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These things will happen
06/05/2008 15:43
I pay for the service I expect it. I work in the service industry and fight this battle inside the workplace as much as outside. Remember 2 things, the person at the call centre or at the branch is not empowered to fix the problem. Get a manager. Two, if that does not work use the banking council, credit regulator, independent complaints, etc. The sad thing is all the defeatists who have left comments on this topic are the once working at the same companies that give us the bad service. - Louis |
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Stu..
06/05/2008 15:43
Cool. I can go with that. And thanks for putting my name before Kolobe's. :) - greggo |
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Imagine
06/05/2008 15:47
Imagine the presidential candidate of the China standing up and giving this speach only about China. He would be forced into exile!! It is amasing that there is so much support for this attitute one would think this is a "HIGH TIMES" blogg!! What ever happened to efficiency??? - Stu |
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we get what we ask for
06/05/2008 15:47
Africa is not what it is simply because it is Africa, as that is just an generalization that people in Africa are backward. I believe the reason that "1st world" countries work different is because people expect it to work different. If people in 1st world countries were defeatist then those countries would be like Africa.
We only have ourselves to blame for service levels in Africa. I agree with you Stormers comment however, let's hope we are proven wrong this year. - Aakil Omar |
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jakkelsblou - interesting
06/05/2008 15:49
If scratched dvd's bother you maybe australia or the uk serves you. i've lived in both and scratched dvds are worldwide bugger. if you another white male blames a poor job or girlfriend on s.a and not yourself, then leave. I'll be a white male having a beer, enjoying the bush and maybe some biltong - Mike |
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Good grief
06/05/2008 15:51
I would hardly equate a truck parked outside my house with poor levels of service. Minor irritations are one thing - something that we can all afford not to get upset about - but poor levels of service are inexcusable! Thanks to this kind of apathetic attitude we are going backwards by endorsing irresponsibility. I wonder if our 2010 visitors will be so forgiving .... - Sue |
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Gerrit....
06/05/2008 15:54
....you may be dialling New York, but they have probably outsourced their business to India. A lot of the call centers in India have people who speak in American accents to convince Americans they are speaking with a fellow American. - Bob |
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Realist
06/05/2008 16:00
Oh boy I so enjoyed this column! I call this being realistic but when I express it to anyone else they say I am a pessimist! I rather like the more sedate african way of life most of the time. Stop and enjoy the company of those around you, smell the roses, do some people watching and getting to know you instead of getting your underwear in a knot. It won't solve problems when you scream and shout except for your own bloodpressure. Chill, read a book or something and get with the African program! - GailC |
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