Do I? Don't I? The Customer Service Dilemma

Yesterday was quite a strange day. I started early and went to the pet store. I was recommended "At Your Service Pet Supplies" by our dog walker and I like to support local business whenever I can. I've been going there for about 12 months now and usually they are friendly and helpful. Maybe I was having an off day, or perhaps I had that "don't mess with me" look on my face, but I don't really think that was it.

I walked in and went on a mission to find biodegradable poop bags. After not finding any I went and picked up a big bag of dog food instead. I put it on the counter, and had to wait for the young girl to even acknowledge I was there even though she was only a couple of feet away from me. I asked her directions to the poop bags I had been unable to find, went and picked them up, then remembered that I also needed to pick up some straw for Princess Laya - my friend Rob's duck. So I wandered around but could not find what I was after. What I did find was an older lady who appeared to be an employee of the store, who, even though was watching me wander around looking for something, did not offer any assistance.

So I went back to the front counter, and waited in line for the unhappy girl serve the people in front of me. At that point, I knew that it wasn't me - the customers ahead of me tried some friendly banter with her and she just shut them down! When it came time for my transaction, she was officious, rude and unpleasant. I tried to ask her where the hay was and she cut me off by asking "debit or credit" so I gave up, paid for my stuff and left. So now I am in a quandry - do I continue do shop there even with Miss Bad Attitude?

But it didn't end there. I went to the BBQ festival in Boulder City to get a rib fix, thinking that because it was a competition bbq, the ribs would be awesome. WRONG! I waited for an hour and a half in the hot sun, only to get home and find that the ribs were dry, overcooked and chewy. Thumbs very down to Big T's BBQ. The funniest comment though was from the guy serving behind the counter. When a customer made it to the front of the line and asked the question "so who has the best ribs?" his answer was not "we do!". He simply replied "I don't really know 'cause I don't eat ribs, but I guess ours are pretty good".

What the?

SATC2 Anyone?

Last night I was invited to the premiere of Sex and the City 2 and I totally went in prepared to launch a tirade on its frivolous nonsense. I was coerced into going by my friends Rob and Alex and I fought food poisoning just to go! I told myself that it would fill in an evening alone while Jet was away. But the reality was quite different; I loved every minute of the damn movie.

Carrie Bradshaw has always grated on me. I find her unquestionably selfish, her fixation with image is something I don't understand and her life has never been enviable to me. I watched the series on television from time to time and even recently saw the first SATC movie. None of which really did much to sell me on the franchise.

But this movie is entirely different; all 3 hours of it. The characters have finally got their acts together and they had fun collectively, individually and in their relationships (or lack thereof for Samantha). They had funny pithy lines, made fun of themselves (especially Samantha), and at long last, demonstrated some real-life emotion. I laughed, I cried, I clapped and I gasped and yelled "Boo" at Carrie during a very appropriate moment (I'm practicing my non-spoiler skills here). Every storyline tied together and made a full circle to completion. It had the potential to become a man-hater feminist movie, but instead these strong female characters acknowledged that relationships do take work, compromise and sacrifice, and if we choose well, some men really can get it right and make the effort worth the wait. And I should know - when it comes to choosing a man who gets it right, I have one.

The best part of this movie though, for me at least, was the location. It took me back to a place that makes my soul sing. Although they refer to it as Abu Dhabi in the film, it is actually Marrakesh. The last time I was in Morocco, she gave me food poisoning, but the will to experience this amazing country overcame the symptoms (temporarily) and I did manage to sneak in some fun and some very lovely photos and of course, some fabulous purchases. I was there for only a few days, but it was the most amazing sensation, a feast for my eyes, my ears, my nose. The heat enveloped me like a protective blanket while I strolled through the narrow paths in the souk and bargained down the vendors for a few new pairs of shoes. My green eyes and white skin almost got me into trouble a few times but my firm command of the word "no" finally came in handy. Watching SATC2 took me back to one of the most magical times in my life and made me smile from the inside out. So I am going to watch it again - but this time with tissues for the bits that I know will make me cry. Going to the premiere was a pretty awesome perk. Maybe living in Vegas isn't so bad after all...