For those who keep complaining that Brunei
retail shops, in general, can't deliver good customer service, you have
not seen much of the outside world yet. As a regular visitor to
Singapore, I noticed there has been an improvement in terms of customer
service given by the sales attendants these days as compared to the
earlier years. And, I have to say the foreign recruits, in particular,
the Filipinos have done a great job on this.
Today is an exception and I do not foresee myself going back to the
same shop again. As my younger boy was craving for an icecream before
heading for a dinner appointment, we stopped by Hokkaido Icecream in
Takashimaya and got ourselves two cups of yummy soft icecream. Instead
of walking around with the icecreams, we stood next to Perla (selling
french pastries and cakes) to finish off the icecream. When my 6yrs old
saw an iPad displayed at the counter with a sticker note that reads
"Strictly for cake viewing only", he browsed through the photo album for
a while before he exited the album for other apps. In less than 30
seconds, a caucasian saleslady walked over and stood next to my boys
with a sarcastic smile and asked "Can you read?". She asked the same
question at least another 5 times. My elder one explained it wasn't him
who exited the album. The lady then went on to say "You don't understand
English? If you do, why didn't you tell him" (referring to my younger
boy). I was shocked as I didn't expect this coming from a shopping mall
of an international standard. The words, the tone and the sarcastic grin
were totally unnecessary.
Thank goodness and I can say this with confidence, you will never find this happening in Brunei.