We’ve been back in Belgium for almost a month now, and I have to get something off my chest. Belgium has no idea what the words service industry mean!!! After spending almost 6 weeks in the US, it’s so apparent about the lack of customer service here that I cannot stand it. I am sure in another month I’ll get use to it again, but let me demonstrate why I am so frustrated.
Situation #1 - We pay for a home water delivery service as the tap water isn’t the best. There is no rhyme or reason as to when water will be delivered. This proves to be difficult when they try to pick up empty bottles and drop of full bottles and you aren’t home. A note will be left in my mail box and even if it was only 15 minutes after the driver had been at my house, when I called to see if he could come back, I was told the next delivery would be a week later. We had 12 empty 10L bottles of water, but sure, we could wait a week! Even if you do know the DAY the driver will come, you don’t know (and can’t ask) what time. Leaving the empty bottles outside is an option, but you “own” the bottles so if someone decides to take them, you’re out a lot of money. The best I can do is put in my file to have the driver call me a half hour before he will arrive at my house. This is not a fool proof method, however as they don’t always call first. Ugh.
Situation #2 - Grocery stores are not well stocked with basic items on a daily basis. I cannot tell you how many times I have gone to the grocery store and they do not have milk. Has that EVER happened to you in the US? I cannot think of one time in all of my life that milk was not available. Sometimes even the second place I stop is also out of milk. This is unacceptable when you have kids who eat cereal every morning for breakfast! I’ve also had this happen with sandwich bread, taco packets, trash bags, tissues, batteries, pretzels, flour, paper towels. It’s maddening!
Situation #3 - Splitting a bill is “not possible.” This is a phrase the Belgians LOVE to say. Not possible. We went out to dinner with 2 other families who are new to Belgium and not aware they need to always carry cash. When asked if we could split the bill 3 ways and put it on 3 different credit cards, we were told it was not possible. Paul could give cash and then the other two could split the difference on their cards. Really? It’s that difficult? This is coming after spending 2 hours in the restaurant with 6 kids who were starving upon entering, ate quickly, and then were goofing off the rest of time. Eating out is not a quick thing in Belgium. Even at “family friendly” restaurants. That I’ve gotten use to. Not being able to split a bill, I haven’t.
Situation #4 - After we got back, we noticed our hot water heater wasn’t working properly. It started on Saturday, but by Monday we were officially out of hot water. (Those of you may remember we had replaced the hot water heater not even a year ago). Tuesday a call was made to our landlord who wasn’t able to come until 3:00 Wednesday. After determining that he couldn’t fix it, he called someone else who couldn’t come until Friday. Seriously? Aren’t we talking about hot water here? I know we Americans take more showers than Europeans, but come on! Dishes also need to be washed, but apparently things like showers and dishes aren’t urgent.
Okay. I feel a little bit better now. We are just so spoiled in the US that it smacks me in the face when I return to Belgium. So, when you are getting jealous of all the traveling we are doing, just remember a few of these stories and you’ll feel lucky to be living in a country that completely gets the service oriented industry. :)
