Customer Service

Boutique Nail & Hair on 9th and South Streets is basically the opposite of Apsara where I got my beautiful haircut yesterday. It does have some excellent qualities, for instance it is very close to my house and it is reasonably priced and they do a good pedicure. As a result, I totally go there. Nevertheless, they are not a friendly crew. When I walked in this morning no one aknowledged me at all. Luckily, I am an old hand (foot?) at pedicures, so I picked out my color and went over to sit in the one empty pedi chair. The pedicurist attending to the feet next to me turned the water on and dumped in some blue crystally stuff without making eye contact. I am trying very hard to appreciate moments like this because I imagine that doing the same thing in a different country, in a language I only just learned is going to make the memory of this morning seem like a shining example of pampered luxury. I have been feeling the same way about drivers in Philly. I am amazed how I don't get annoyed at all with their lack of manners and common courtesy because I hope, hope, hope that I will soon live in a place where the rules of the road are merely suggestions and a little ride to work is an adventure.

Generally the customer service is pretty good in Philadelphia. I think that after living in Washington, DC, my standards were extremely low when I arrived here 2 years ago, so I was thrilled by any little nicety. But I have continued to be happy with Philly customer service. I think that the big difference between the surly attitude in DC and the surly attitude in Philadelphia is that in Philly people know what they're doing. In DC people were rude and did a terrible job. In Philly people may be rude to you but you get a good pedicure or bus ride or sandwich and you believe the person behind the counter at the pharmacy has an advanced education in the field.