Russians are saner

Raanan Shaked explains why he wants Russia to win, 
and why he hates American smiles 

I want to make this clear: In the war between Russia and Georgia, we should be rooting for the Russians. Indeed, the Russians are alright.

Raanan Shaked

Published:

08.17.08, 23:59 / Israel Opinion

For example, this week I read that Americans who are opening franchises such as Starbucks in Moscow are trying to train the local Russian workers to smile to the customers. This is because Russian service providers, just so you understand, don’t like to smile. Why should they like to do it? Why should someone whose career pinnacle thus far is serving grand lattes smile?

 Moreover, what can a customer who just bought a Starbucks coffee do with a smile? How will this smile help him? Once he tastes the coffee, the only thing anyone can do for him is give him his money back and offer a comforting hug, and even that won’t completely compensate for the unpleasantness.

( Read more... )

 
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3583737,00.html

Russians are saner

Raanan Shaked explains why he wants Russia to win, 
and why he hates American smiles 

I want to make this clear: In the war between Russia and Georgia, we should be rooting for the Russians. Indeed, the Russians are alright.

Raanan Shaked

Published:

08.17.08, 23:59 / Israel Opinion

For example, this week I read that Americans who are opening franchises such as Starbucks in Moscow are trying to train the local Russian workers to smile to the customers. This is because Russian service providers, just so you understand, don’t like to smile. Why should they like to do it? Why should someone whose career pinnacle thus far is serving grand lattes smile?

 Moreover, what can a customer who just bought a Starbucks coffee do with a smile? How will this smile help him? Once he tastes the coffee, the only thing anyone can do for him is give him his money back and offer a comforting hug, and even that won’t completely compensate for the unpleasantness.

( Read more... )

 
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3583737,00.html