LAURIE ELLISON,
Madam, - I read Kathy Sheridan's column of October 3rd about the contemptible level of service she and her friend received in Dublin, and I related immediately to the experience.
On a recent visit to the city with my (Irish) husband, I was struck by two things. The first was a level of customer service in shops that oscillated between contempt and downright obnoxiousness. On many occasions, we witnessed rude, unfriendly and hostile attitudes from people with whom we were trying to do business.
The words "Please", "Thank you", "Can I help you?" or even "Hello" were absent. Eye contact was never made. Daring to ask for assistance in a shop required a stiff drink beforehand.
The second thing found in Dublin was a marked denial and a fierce rejection that there was something wrong with this situation.
How dare I, a Yank, criticise the Dubs? So much for Oliver Goldsmith's observation that "ceremonies are different in every country, but true politeness is everywhere the same."
Although it would be wrong to assume that the whole of Ireland might be representative of our experiences in Dublin, it is clear, that until such people recognise that friendly customer service and good manners are as important to visitors as attractive scenery and fascinating folklore, Ireland as a whole will suffer. - Yours, etc.,
LAURIE ELLISON,
Woodside,
California,
USA.