Just visited Poland - here is my random rant

LOL

Well, OK, whatever you say ;D

You wrote about "Polish customer service which is almost non-exist outside of multinationals in PL", so I wonder how, in your opinion, "a good recession" would make any improvements in Polish customer service?

At least in my opinion, it might make small business owners realise that they need to treat clients properly.

It won't change a thing with certain supermarkets that rely heavily on agency staff.

You are back tracking Paulina I gave 10 points why recession is a good thing.

Paulina, would you like Poland to become the next Israel or South Korea by geographical location.

About customer service, I find the further you get from Warsaw and the nearer to Katowice, the better it gets.

Well, delph, we had "a good recession" during the 90's - do you think it improved "the Polish customer service"?
I'm not sure if you guys understand what this "bad Polish customer service" stems from (if I understand properly what you mean).


Those are just general points. I'd like you to explain it on a particular example - Polish customer service. What Polish customer service lacks and how do you think "a good recession" would improve it?


I've never been to those countries, so I'm not sure what you mean.

Some of the worst customer service I have ever witnessed is in Krakow.

Maybe it did - wasn't that time also when many old ideas were swept away and new ones introduced?


It stems from bad training and bad management, at least in bigger companies.


It lacks personal accountability, in my opinion.

I would be happy to do that for your business, pm me and I will inform you of my fees.


Ok if you wish I can send you the title of a book to read.

Yes. Where exactly does the customer is always wrong ethos come from?

My partner bought something in Poznan recently which she attempted to return as a major component was missing only to be accused of being a thief. The hostile shopkeeper was told in no uncertain terms she could keep the 30zlt item. Shabby behaviour!

A friend of ours works in a shop selling make up and English products. She told us how she sold a product which the customer returned an hour later because it was dry. She of course refused to accept it back. She couldn't grasp the concept that she had lost a paying customer and possibly several more (word of mouth). For her it was more important to protect her boss from any losses.

You mean, like, capitalism, free market and stuff like that? LOL
:)


And what this bad training and bad management stems from?


What do you mean?
And how can it be improved by "a good recession"?


lol
No, thanks.

Btw, how long have you been living in Poland, warszawski?


What book?


From communism, people.
Duh!
It's the same with doctors and nurses.
During the communism the shop assistants were the Lords lol
And clients were the insignificant, puny, rat-like creatures xD
Have you seen the Kabaret Tey's "Z tyłu sklepu" from commie times? I guess you haven't... It's a cult comedy sketch in Poland. Even during the communism people laughed at those things (although it was a rather bitter laugh, I'd say).

Maybe to protect her job, with the ex communist mentality the customer is always wrong, they are there just to buy what you sell them, once they have paid the money, it is 100% ownership of the cashtomer.

Paulina, Any job you do is going to "have your fingerprints all over it." That is why it is so important to take ownership of your job, any job you do, and really own it. Do it the best you can; do it the best it can be done. That is how you succeed.


Paulina communist Poland was 24 years ago. How old are you 20,21,or maybe 22?

Its stems from a fact that they can get away with such behavior, and there is no law protecting customer rights.

there is EU legislation which protects consumers in Poland. The Polish consumer is conditioned to accept sh$t customer service. as being normal.

Thanks, warszawski, have you read those great words of wisdom on a box of American cereals? xD


Yes, and?


I'm 31.
I've been pushed out of a que for meat as a little kid by grownups although I had a stamp ink mark put on my hand (as proof that I'm standing in the que). My mum left me there to stand instead of her in the que because there was a rumour that they started selling sth in another shop.

When I was a little older I was always stressed out when I had to go to the shop to buy something because the shop assistants were Darth Vader incarnated xD There are still one or two ladies (they're around 40 years old, I think) like that at one shop in my neighbourhood and that's why I don't buy there ;P

So, warszawski, how long have you been living in Poland?


There's law alright. That's not the problem, I think.

I first came here in 1990 Paulina and I have witnessed a lot of changes, as I live in Warsaw more changes than most other cities in Poland. Never the less I am not Polish and this gives me the benefit of drawing a conclusion of what is acceptable and what is not in the EU in 2013.


It is what I have drilled into the minds of my Polish workers over the years, many have come back and thanked me, and I am proud of what they have gone onto achieve.


How many retail outlets in Poland provide you with terms and condition's of business on their contract of sale. What they do in Poland is provide you with the guarantee from the manufacturer, going through all the bullsh$t of stamping and signing it in front of you, making you believe once you purchase something it automatically become the be responsibility of the manufacturer. Passing the buck...


Stop living in the past feeling sorry for yourself.

What, 'Keep in an airtight container', 'The best to you', what??

It's queue by the way, not que.

Yes, those changes were inevitable because of the change in the political and economic system and because Poland opened up to the democratic and capitalist West.

Not because of "a good recession".
I don't see how "a good recession" would or will improve anything, because it's the people's mentality that is the problem, I think. And I don't know how much time it will take until people's mentality changes enough. Maybe another 24 years? Who knows...

That's my opinion.
I'm open to your counterarguments or explanations, but since I would have to pay for them... LOL


Sure, but that's not what you and me are discussing.


Wow, then that's really sad that they actually had to be told such clichés, isn't it.


Dude, I don't live in the past and I'm not feeling sorry for myself xD
I'm explaining Poland to you, but I guess you Westerners don't need any explaining, you know everything best :P
Sorry, my bad ;)


Something like that, I guess lol


Thanks.
What a horrible word lol

One big issues service in restaurants. Often, the staff tend to be students rather than professional waiters. They sometimes deliberately avoid catching the customers' eyes. Also they often bring the main course just afte the starter, or bring the starter before the drinks. Or just forget stuff. And after they've served you, they ignore you - a pain when you want to pay the bill and go but can't catch their eye.

Good post.
As others have commented, the breadth of your observations shows you knew what to look for from the start. I think this is lost on some people who haven't taken your experiences in Poland into account.

#1 eh, maybe it was the time and places you were at. I've noticed no such shortage of drivers on major and minor roads up past Częstochowa and it gets just plain stupid in Krakow and Bielsko Biała.

#3 I see your point but I think restoration would be the best way to get rid of the eyesores...if they're still of use that is.

#5 Those are a good thing for the time being my friend. Until the infrastructure improves or Polish drivers respect the lives of, well everyone else around them, those radars and speed traps are what's keeping the roads safer imo.

#13 Don't get me started on that whole thing. Wrong on just about every level.

Other than those things, I think I see your point on just about everything else. Very objective and concise considering the spectrum you gave yourself.

On a side note, Paulina is correct. Polish society does NOT need a recession. The idea is laughable.

Saying that the Polish society needs recession is like saying people need poverty. Preposterous.

Most Poles (ie. those who make around 1500 ZL per month) are in recession. When Euro hits Poland it will get even worse. But that's the story of other EU countries too, so Poland is not in the worst position.

Pampered. Pragmatic. Persnickety. These are not the employee attributes that build fast-growth companies, but all three describe a group of employees that fast growth entrepreneurs must confront when hiring. Since the Great Recession of 2008, my advice to entrepreneurs is to run, baby, run when it comes to hiring this group.

boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/03/why-i-like-to-hire-great-recession-graduates/
meditic.com/why-is-economic-recession-good-for-startups/


Why is the idea laughable?
How do we know the country is not currently in recession?

Poland can't live off foreign language teachers she needs to create a business climate to attract more 'entrepreneurs, more tax revenues can be created than relying on EU handouts and multinationals. for FDI.

Recession is good it sends people back to basic, you ground the Pampered. Pragmatic. Persnickety lot

well if it's so great you can keep it and welcome.

what is wrong with being pragmatic? it just means practical

There can not be one rule for one and a second rule for another JKB quotes random rant which is the purpose of this thread. JKB does not quote changes in Poland during 199X and 20XX. As a Pole he comprehends the ownership debacle of pre-war real estate. After the wars most real estate was built with a life expectancy of 50 years, this is one of the reasons there is a lot of non Aesthetic pleasing buildings. Furthermore it is the culture not to show wealth on the outside as this attracts thieves.

The number of high end motors on Polish roads is due to very attractive lease plans which have been offered over the last 6 years. Once again if you are not in it?

Excuse me?

If recession means GDP, investment spending, employment, household income and inflation fall while bankruptcies and the unemployment rate rise Poland is currently in recession.
Good news brace yourself for another recession - "Bond giant Pimco believes there is a 60% chance of another global recession in the next few years."


Polish government do not seem to be well versed in economic policy.
The only economic tool they are familiar with is tax.

Allow me to remind you of your thread title.

Just visited Poland - here is my random rant

Yes they were and it was humiliating

Allow me to point out that it's not my thread. Are you seeing things?