Lip Service

I agree with Rachel Chang's article in yesterday's SundayLife section, where she lamented about over-eager/enthusiastic customer service people who just talk too much. You know, the kind that seems to be your good friend in all of 5 minutes and seems intent on knowing your relationship status or telling you how they just missed the 4D by one number.

Frankly, I think taxi drivers are the worst culprit (by far) in this category. I know it may be boring driving around endlessly for 8 hours on end, but still it's no excuse. Many of them like to talk crap the moment you board, as if you are really interested in talking to them. The topics they choose also do not help the atmosphere in any way, such as politics, government (seemingly a favourite), national rules, foreigners in our midst, casinos or whatever tickles their fancy. Sometimes, they just need to understand, that all their passengers want is a nice, quiet ride. Really.

My personal trick is to slip on my trusty iPod ear-phones and enjoy the music. In that way, you just need to pretend you can't hear them (even if you can) and enjoy the music. After a while, they will get the idea and keep quiet. Some retail salespeople also have this strange habit of bothering you with too many needless questions when all you want is to be left alone to shop and choose in your own peace. Some of them are 'over-helpful' and like to show you endless number of products trying to convince you to buy them, when actually they are the last thing you actually would.