Continuing my article about American Service, I am hereby going to show few observations. I know these views are biased, but still I want to show these views, because I am literally pissed right now. American economy can be clustered into 2 parts. 1 the very small scale economy, like the shops in downtowns. Second, the real big industries, like Walmart, AT&T etc. Small scale shops are run by *dumb* people. And Big scale shops are run by *crooks*. And those who are not in either category, are employees. Of course, exceptions are there to all these categories. I am going to emphasizes upon few points below:

Yesterday, I got my third AT&T bill. It showed that I am charged for some “VOICEDIAL” (5$). I was charged for this last time as well. Last time, since I was busy, I didn’t ask AT&T guys about this. This time, it was second time, I was busy again, but I still went to the shop to ask whats this. They said that this is a service which we automatically add with upgrades. I remember upgrading my service with a text messaging plan. But I was never told about this service. I also got to know I was being charged for another service namely “Roadside Assistance”. I dont even have a car, why will I need that. Anyways, I said that I was not told about this. The guy said, if you were not told about it, we apologies. I wanted to say to that guy that he should “die” for being so much ridiculous. Even if he was told to do that, he should die for following such irritating behavior. You do a mistake knowingly, and then you say a monotonous sorry. Wow, and you are forgiven. What an ass sucking service. Not only that, you are expected to say “Thank you” when you are done. I seriously am planning not to follow this thank you, sorry culture of America. Its so impersonal. When americans thank me for some help, I seriously feel like do they really appreciate that I helped them for something. Because this “thanks”, since they say that for everything, has become so monotonous, that the feeling it should have is not visible (if its there at all). I have to say thanks to my friends as well. Why am I calling them friends for then.

Tipping System : So, while talking to Geetika once, she told me how waiters get almost nothing as their salary, and their whole income is based on tip. And I thought how horrible that system is. In India as well, we pay tip, but even if we don’t, the guy earns enough money to survive (in Indian standards, of course). Why not include the tip in food rates. This will surely give proper security to the waiter as well. Not only that, the customer will have a proper idea of how much is it going to cost him. This is really a bad system. And more to it, these guys who on one hand go for those “thank you”, “sorry” courtesy, they spit on your food if you don’t tip. What a horrible culture. Of course, exceptions are there.

I got my apartment rented from this office. But they wouldn’t provide me electricity and gas connection. I have to apply for it myself. Of course, its not an easy process. I got my verizon internet connection, I had few problems with the router DMZ settings, I called the customer care, and it took them 1 hour to say that they do not know how to fix it. To do anything, people follow set of predefined instructions. If you ask something not specified in those instrucions, you sure are not going to get any answer.

And focusing on “crook” part, US is a major reason for those horrible copyright/patent laws. I will write about it, when I get time.