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My biggest whinges about Singapore - are they justified?

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Wham
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Post by Wham » Fri, 31 Mar 2006 7:04 pm

True, a strange one, but you have to admit - at least being called an ALIEN is kind of fun. I would MUCH rather be an Alien than a guest.
"He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man." Samuel Johnson

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Quasimodo
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Post by Quasimodo » Fri, 31 Mar 2006 9:28 pm

Wham wrote:True, a strange one, but you have to admit - at least being called an ALIEN is kind of fun. I would MUCH rather be an Alien than a guest.


I mean, I have been told so very often in my post-pubertarian life that I am 'out of this world', but that was . . . well, a gentleman never tells.

(however, over a couple of beers I'll spill all!!!)
One in the hand is worth two of something

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Global Citizen
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Post by Global Citizen » Sun, 02 Apr 2006 3:38 am

Wham wrote: I would MUCH rather be an Alien than a guest.
You would, wouldn't you? Can't say I'm really surprised. :shock:
One man's meat is another's poison.

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EADG
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Post by EADG » Sun, 02 Apr 2006 12:42 pm

...
Last edited by EADG on Sun, 02 Apr 2006 12:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post by EADG » Sun, 02 Apr 2006 12:47 pm

Global Citizen wrote:
EADG wrote:
Global Citizen wrote: BTW, here's a newsflash: New Yorkers don't exactly qualify for top marks in the good manners category either.
not sure where you get your news, for someone with handle like yours this sounds somewhat less than 'global'

though it gets bantered around a lot, most Americans and real NYers know this convienent fallacy to be just that, always gave you more credit, GC
EADG, does the truth rankle when the criticism is levelled the other way? How does speaking from my own personal experience rate with you and about the bit re. my handle. How would you know since we've never met?

I expected so much more from you.
...and you may continue to do so

as the operative word here is truth, not opinion, it does not rankle; though I don't live there anymore, my last few trips there confim (to me, in my experiences) the contrary

...but being non-judgemental based on state of origin, I knew that anyway

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Global Citizen
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Post by Global Citizen » Mon, 03 Apr 2006 10:55 am

EADG wrote:
...but being non-judgemental based on state of origin, I knew that anyway

?????
One man's meat is another's poison.

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Post by Wham » Mon, 03 Apr 2006 1:49 pm

GC, Eadg is 100% right. New York may have a reputation is being abrassive etc, but what most people don't know is that it is a bit of a big inside joke in that the vast majority or New Yorkers are actually extraordinarily friendly - and i mean the type of friendly that will spend 10 minutes trying to help you get where you are going. Once in a while waiters will play the role of being difficult etc, but it is just a put on. Also, while i may be from NY, i only lived there 16 years or so - but wasn't born there - so not sure if i qualify.
"He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man." Samuel Johnson

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Global Citizen
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Post by Global Citizen » Tue, 04 Apr 2006 3:50 am

Wham wrote:
Once in a while waiters will play the role of being difficult etc, but it is just a put on.
:o Is that what they're calling poor and rude customer sevice these days in the Big Apple? A put on act? I hope the tourists and visitors are privvy to the inside scoop too. I could relate an incident or two if you like.

Wish everybody would be as forgiving and understanding when they're not on their own turf. :wink:
One man's meat is another's poison.

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Post by Wham » Tue, 04 Apr 2006 2:20 pm

GC, perhaps your difficult and confrontational demeanor may have inspired the waiters that you encountered to behave rudely towards you. Seriously, maybe it is time to reflect on that inner anger that you seem to harbor - and to ask yourself if it is possible that OTHERS (like waiters in NY) might treat YOU better if you first treated THEM better. Just a suggestion...
"He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man." Samuel Johnson

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Quasimodo
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Post by Quasimodo » Tue, 04 Apr 2006 3:03 pm

Global Citizen wrote:
Wham wrote:
Once in a while waiters will play the role of being difficult etc, but it is just a put on.
:o Is that what they're calling poor and rude customer sevice these days in the Big Apple? A put on act? I hope the tourists and visitors are privvy to the inside scoop too. I could relate an incident or two if you like.

Wish everybody would be as forgiving and understanding when they're not on their own turf. :wink:


Works in Paris
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Post by Wham » Tue, 04 Apr 2006 3:32 pm

Quasi - a very good point. And its not like people go around calling the French rude just because the waiters put on a good "rude" act.
"He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man." Samuel Johnson

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Post by Mary Hatch Bailey » Tue, 04 Apr 2006 4:26 pm

I've never had a problem in Paris or New York. I am treated very well in Paris, I think becasue they take pity on my travelling around with all those little kids. And of course my high school french is oh-so-endearing. Manhattan waiters can be pretentious, but who cares? I don't get the feeling they a re malicious and the food usually makes up for it. I definitely diner waitresses that call me 'hun'. :)

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Global Citizen
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Post by Global Citizen » Tue, 04 Apr 2006 7:43 pm

Wham wrote:GC, perhaps your difficult and confrontational demeanor may have inspired the waiters that you encountered to behave rudely towards you. Seriously, maybe it is time to reflect on that inner anger that you seem to harbor - and to ask yourself if it is possible that OTHERS (like waiters in NY) might treat YOU better if you first treated THEM better. Just a suggestion...
Pot.... Kettle .... Black ?

Wham, its never good to make allegations unless armed with facts to substantiate.

First of all the incident that really sticks out in my mind didn't occur with me personally but in my presence to a group of unsuspecting Japanese tourists.

Secondly as someone who's been in the hospitality industry for the better part of my life, I certainly know a thing or two about being on the other side and how to treat servers to get the best out of them.

YOU, on the other hand are always so quick to jump on everyone else and I pointed out my own observations. At least when the criticism is levelled at Singaporeans and warranted, I admit to it and don't go into denial. Maybe its time you took your own advice and if the shoe fits......

P.S.I don't enjoy unpleasant exchanges but everyone has their limits.

Nuff said.
One man's meat is another's poison.

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Post by Vaucluse » Tue, 04 Apr 2006 8:08 pm

Global Citizen wrote:
Nuff said.
?? :o ?? Are you me in drag?
......................................................

'nuff said Image

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Global Citizen
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Post by Global Citizen » Tue, 04 Apr 2006 8:19 pm

Vaucluse wrote:
Global Citizen wrote:
Nuff said.
?? :o ?? Are you me in drag?
Only better looking if that avatar is anything to go by! :wink:
One man's meat is another's poison.

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