Is it just me or do you find American service people to be incompetent? Doctors, dentist, plumbers, internet providers....GRRRRRRRRRR.
The doctor waits for me to diagnose myself and then just goes along with it and doesn't even check it-just dishes out some meds and sends me on my way, after talking with his wife on his cell phone 5 different times while he was with me.
The dentists screwed up my tooth worst then what it was before I went in the office. It hurts more now then when b I went in 'cause it didn't hurt at all. I went in for another tooth that hurt and he said that it was a sinus infection.

The plumber looks confused when I show him that my toilet doesn't flush-he plays with the water level and leaves-The toilet still won't flush without my holding the handle down for a minute and even then it's a crap shot. I don't want to have to call my landlord AGAIN about this. (This is the 3rd time my toilet's been fixed)
Don't get me started with my internet service provider. It's been a week and I am still not hooked up correctly and they act like I'm the one who's got a freaking problem when they're the ones who have misdiagnosed the problem 4 times already and it's STILL not fixed.
What ever happened to American pride? It's frustrating as hell to get something done right by an American service provider. NO wonder I'm always having to be a female dog!
I say "Let the Mexicans in!!!" Maybe they'll be able to do something you ask them to do and they'll do it right the first time!
GRRRRRRRRRR~~~~~~~I am so over this b.s.!

[lenjan]

I think people are just getting dumber. I spent 45 minutes in a courtroom Tuesday with a gaggle of lawyers who couldn't figure out how to work a television and had to postpone the hearing.

I can tell you that my formal education actually taught me very little that's been truly useful in day-to-day situations -- apparently it's true for service providers too. Sorry you're frustrated.

Thanks Candy.
I once worked for a French man who stood there and told me how incompetent American workers were. This was about 10 years ago and at the time I was highly insulted-I didn't say anything, I did my job 'cause I needed the money but I didn't argue with him. I regretted that for some years-until recently...'cause now I agree with him whole heartedly.
It sounds mean but it's true. It's like nobody gives a crap anymore.

If this is too "political" in any way, shape or form-please feel free to remove it. It wasn't meant in a political way but I guess it can be taken as such. I apologize if I've offended anyone. I'm really just frustrated and disappointed-I have higher expectations from our people.

I think that a combination of higher prevalence of understaffing and common daily stress is what leads to things like this.

Like compare how busy most workers are these days to fifty years ago and you will see a difference in it. Instead of regular 9-5 we are seeing more shift work, which is hard for the body to take...and being overworked.

I personally have seen my customer services slip when I get burned out on the job from being overworked. I'm not proud of this fact and I try to fight it but once you are worked to a certain point you just have to slip somewhere.

just my .02

In some ways you get what you pay for (NOT) I don't think many workers in America take pride in their own work.

We are spending all of our time chascing the almighty dollar and I don't mean trying to get rich. I mean trying to make a living, to pay the mortgage, to put food on the table. Jobs that supported families for years are disappearing, whole towns are going bankrupt.

I certainly don't have any answers. You have to have personal pride in what you do and who you are. The results of our disillusionment shows in the quality of our work.

I appreciate your .02 Rainbowzz.

your more than welcome!

That's a good point Keb. It's frustrating when your hard work doesn't provide you with a descent neighborhood to live in and/or health insurance. It can make you feel like "why the heck am I working so hard?" Kind of what Rainbowzz said about being overworked and then getting not enough in return for it.

[Direction]

Being in Property management I work with a lot of different service people all very competent.

Who I would trust in my home. I will admit that for these individuals to work on my office buildings they have to have a good solid reputation. How do we know their reputation - because in this particular industry where word gets around really quickly.

I have to admit you have run into some real bad ones in a short period of time - I just wanted to encourage you that American pride does exist and the sampling you received (indeed poor) does not represent the whole. For the Doctor and Dentist - I would suggest writing to the clinics administrators to make them aware of the service level you received.

Yeah it sort of all goes together. However, It's no excuse, We should all expect competant work.
Like so much today, a thing of the past.

Thanks Direction. I'm sure there are a ton of competent workers out there-I've just had a wave of the poor workers, I guess. Maybe the good ones will come around-I'll have to research background a little more before taking on a service. That would be wise.
Keb, ~~grr.

[Direction]

There have always been and will always be people that mean to take advantage...

There are more of us now - so it is so much more important for one to check out the reputation and creditials of the people we choose...

How many times do we receive the advice to have a meeting to just talk to your doctor and ask specific questions about style and fees, and etc. Or how many times have we been told we should ask to see someones license for an electrician or plumber (not all places license). Or how many times have we've been told to check the better business bureau...

Sorry I'm going on and on about this. I do agree that there are many people who are not fit for the job they are doing. i just believe that it has always been that way - think about all those stupid potions that were being sold to do just about anything you wanted them to...

I'm off now...

It's okay, Direction. You made a very valid point. I agree with you on it. In some cases though, I can't pick who I get to do the service for me, though. My landlord or the internet company does. That's where it's really frustrating. It's not like I can just change plumbers but I can cancel my internet service and get fined $80 for disconnecting before the contract ended. It may be worth it in the long run.
I won't go to that doctor or that dentist again. I will be more careful and ask more questions.
I appreciate your input, Direction.

That's right Direction. Your soap box has a valid point.
But even when you check all the licenses and BBB and in my case our county gov. has a contractor rating list. You figure you have made an informed decision.

The job (problem) is usually something you know nothing or little about so you depend on the person doing the work to know what they are doing.

In Pickle's case there was no control over who does the work it is very frustrating.

[Direction]

I know - I happen to have been in the property management business for 15 years - most of it with apartments the last 4 years with office buildings.

So I've experience the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I truly do understand Pickle's issue - I was mostly ranting.

That's ok Direction.
Your soap box wasn't too high because I didn't get a nose bleed.
It's good to hear from those who have been in the business of serving others. You can't please everyone. You strike me as a person who would try your utmost to see things were done properly.