Quote:
Originally Posted by BFOMF5
These are common problems with computeristion...with the "SYSTEM" lots of flexibility and human touch could be depleted.
|
The main reason why I always preferred to stay at Formosa has been the way staff always treated me, as a family and not as employees of a public post office (try to get a smile from the desk staff at Harmoni!).
Flexibility in handling business or whatever activity is a value, but there is people, especially in some countries, that are rigid as wood. If there is a rule, or a policy, they stick to it without taking even into consideration that exceptions and flexibility at times can be advantageous for both parties. I get mad when I see this.
In Europe, Swiss people is famous to be extremely rigid and to not allow exceptions even if it could be advantageous.
(If there is any Swiss reading this, please don't jump on me. I know it's a stereotype, but as in all stereotypes there is some underlying truth mixed with bullshit.)
Conversely, people from South Europe (Italy and Greece above all) are known to give priority to "fantasy" rather then to "method and rules" in handling things. People from North Europe call that "Chaos" and inefficiency. There's enough matter to start endless discussions, I know. It' not my intention.
A friend told me once an interesting anecdote. He entered a cafe in Switzerland and wanted a sandwich with cheese. The lady at the desk replied: "We have these sandwiches with ham and cheese." Then the following conversation developed:
- "Ok, but I don't like ham"
- "Sorry, we sell only ham and cheese"
- "Don't worry, I pay the same price. Just remove the ham and I take it with the cheese"
- "Sorry, it's not possible, we sell only sandwiches with ham and cheese"
At this point, my friend was furious with that stubborn lady.
- "OK GIVE ME YOUR SANDWICH AS IT IS"
The lady smiled all satisfied, proud and happy that the odd tourist accepted the house rules.
Then my friend took the sandwich with ham and cheese, paid the bill, opened the sandwich, removed the ham, left it on the desk under the shocked eyes of the lady, and left the place with his sandwich with just cheese.
Wonderful example of fantasy against rigid rules.