Wake Up Malls of Qatar ! ! !

Unfortunately the staff of most stores don't care as their is no one watching their stupid behavior, I would track down the owner of the store and let them know.  Better for all the other stores they can have the business. I think you would see better sales people if they were given commission.  Now with inflation the shops will have to work harder to get sales so maybe they will hire better help. No one should be treated poorly.

How are you doing buddy? Just tell me who upsets you and i will go with you and the rest of QL guys to play football, smoke sheesha and have dinner there tonight :) Just ignore them buddy, if you will complain to his supervisor and his he/she is of the same nationality then what do you expect?

To be honest with you I got the same from my own Arabic sales guys, the most friendly ones are the Filipinos/Filipinas and I prefer to ignore the Arabic sales guy to go to the Filipino guy. I feel that he would understand me, know for a fact that I'm just I might be his customer and buy something or be someone's else customer. The other guy would be grumbling for wasting his precious time telling me that ... no this shirt is not available, out of stock.

I do understand that some of them does not like their job and it is nothing but life circumstances that put them there for a reason or another, but that does not give you the right to humiliate someone, ignore someone or show an angry face. While it is your job, then you should do your best to keep it and do it the way it's supposed to be.

It is really something and they should be finding a solution for it, if it would be this way then they should have their shops being multi-nationality employees so every sales man/women there would be friendly to their own people :(

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. (Gautama Buddha)

If my mom and relatives would see me now, they'd be surprised how BIATCHY (only when the situation calls for it) I've become.

Partly bcoz I've been treated like a 3rd class person when I came here to Qatar, 3 years back. My 1st sponsor (a very good man) didn't knew then that I would stand up to him unlike my other Filipina co-employees.

Even when i worked for Karwa, they knew I wouldn't back down on them even if it cause me my job.

KSARAT...I do agree with what the other poster said; write a complaint letter and make them aware and reaize that, despite skin colors, "CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT" .

Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!- UNKNOWN

Hi you sound really upset by these services people.  Dont forget they are there to serve because of their lower education, had they been better educated they would also loved to be served instead of serving customer.

So why bother about their attitude and mentality, dont bring yourself to their level, be positive and keep up to your status. 

 Na Jauntie, I never have time to read QL anymore, so unless it's written in caps I don't notice it.

Visit www.qatarhappening.com

Paul!  War? what war!  lol

and hey Gypsy, I said same as Azi:

"It's all a case of confidence ... if I'd had Ksarsar's experience I think I would have spoken up about it to someone."

Do I have QL's Harry Potter inviz cloak on AGAIN!

sulking here....  :D

Oh, yesterday my co workers and I went to Chilli's at Ramada Junction for lunch and we waited for about 20 minutes for someone to come and get our order and finally we waived at this Lebanese waitress, she actually sneered, rolled her eyes and walked away in the opposite direction.  If the Lebanese manager hadn't just tried to ask my coworker to ladies night at Paloma's (after complaining about how hungover he was, even though we most defintely didn't ask how he was feeling) then I would have complained, as it was we just laughed at them at left.

Visit www.qatarhappening.com

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 Agree with Azzy, sometimes you do have to be a BIATCH.  It's actually painful to me and completly against my cultural background, but sometimes I have to speak sternly to people.  I told the front desk man at Sealine in a very stern voice that the hotel was disgusting and that if it were a real business they would do something about it.  I felt so bad afterwards.

Visit www.qatarhappening.com

 By far the rudest Shop Assistants in Villagio.......

At times you feel like your asking them to go out of their way to sell you the item.   

Im not talking about all Lebonese men here, ( so all you crusaders can get back in your boxes), simply adding my opinion based on experience. 

You can laugh at me all you like because I have Alzheimers, .......but at least I dont have Alzheimers

I'm a 'love the one you're with' kinda gal

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 it's been a while - sorry to hear your story.

my wife and i get rude service sometimes, but i admit that i am a bit oblivious to it.  although, i've only been here 9 months now, and my wife has been pregnant the whole time so you tend to get treated a little better when you have a pregnant woman with you.  i remember people not being helpful at all at the beginning before my wife was showing.  

if these people bother you so much, you should go into their stores, pretend to look at 20-30 items (while unfolding them all) and then walk out as if everything they sell is crap.  if they're going to give you attitude, then repay the favour by giving them extra work.

don't let these losers get to you buddy.

________________________________________________ 

"Even a stopped clock gives the right time twice a day." Withnail & I

I was dressed quite casually and was about to walk into a very swanky jewelry shop - the friend I was with said 'you can't go in there'!!!

My response was 'why ever not?'

I rest my case.

And believe you me, I would have been extremely peeved had I been challenged for being in there!

It's all a case of confidence ... if I'd had Ksarsar's experience I think I would have spoken up about it to someone.

Actually, Ksarsara, I just re-read your post and I'm not quite clear as to what happened to upset you!  Did they ignore you? Insult you? Refuse to serve you?

Maybe I missed something, but it seems you just said they were 'sad, disgusting and racist' but did you explain what they did to deserve those labels?

Hugs anyway - I reckon you're due for another lap dance xxx

at Al Bandar?

I repeatedly told you that though I don't want to be a PAIN in ANYONE'S BEHIND but sometimes, I got to be a BIATCH if I wanted good service.

You saw how I spoke to the waiter,  I'm already questioning the quality of their service and strongly implied that there would be consequences.  

Sometimes, we need to be ASSERTIVE in our approach to these situations.

Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!- UNKNOWN

well said Karin ...

and find a different shop. After all, they need the customers more than you need them.

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“it doesnt matter who you are, some people are just full of crap.” 

I agree with thexo some people are regardless of race maybe because they are not happy with their job or maybe some other issues…whatever I usually leave right away and go to other stores…their lost not mine!  if they had bad day i wont ruin mine because of them.

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Truth is the rudest shop staff are in Villagio for some weird reason

I sympathise.....my sis and her hubby were in town a few days ago and she commented on how rude and unhelpful some of the staff were in villagio........and this coming from a london girl !!!  london is not known for the best customer service......

interesting though the minute she spoke in her west london accent - the staff were a bit more attentive............so not only the clothes, nationality but accent as well............. good grief cant we just be normal people here.............

exactly.. obedient chihuahua....

This happens all over world.

But remember one thing.

The customer is the powerful person there, not the salesman.

You can shout at him / her for their mis-behaviour.

If you shout at them, infront of the other customers, you can see how this big boss transforms into an obedient dog...

a bunch of us walked into layali, this waiter comes up and asks us what we want... in such rude manner.. i told him i came for a carwash and not to scratch it while washing. the dude got calm after that..

i don't tolerate it sometimes.. i give back.

Would be interesting to see what would happen there...

I want to break free...I feell like a well paid slave here...

perhaps i should wear some old torn clothes and a big gold chain around my neck and someone lend me your rolex (you might not get it back but still) That should confuse the hell outta the sales person...To Serve or Not to Serve. :) 

_[]~SMoKE~[]_

working in this kind of country where multitude of nationalities all over the place.. customer service, service crews, sales person should have a proper TRAINING about handling clients, should stress that anybody/anyone MUST BE TREATED equally...must not allienate one customer from the others because of skin color, nationality... honestly, they should impose this training before letting them out on the field...

just my suggestion..  

[img_assist|nid=12867|link=none|align=left|width=|height=0]Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.

its happaned everywhere. next time act cool and dont worry about this thing.

Everybody is right Everybody is wrong, it depend where we stand.

Dear, it is really painful to experience in such a way! But what to do people are different, each one is brought up in a different culture, so shopkeepers are showing their culuture. Thank god there are forums like this pen down ur frustrations!

Every day we face numerous inconveniences, irritations and situations that are beyond our control. If we can change them, that's fine, but this is not always possible. We must learn to put up with such things and accept them cheerfully!! So be happy!

We've been into a sunglasses shop before and had to walk out again because none of the sales staff would come and attend to us, despite asking for assistance. Apparently all 3 of them were far too busy attending to a Qatari couple who were in there!

Things like this happen to everyone all over the world in some form or another. We all have preconceptions and prejudices even if we think we don't. That doesn't make it right, but the best thing to do is just get over it and take your business elsewhere. If you're really peeved, complain to the management or owner.

 Not to say there's no racism in Qatar, especially against Indians who are mostly regarded as "labourers" but personally KSA I get the same attitude whenever I walk into a store too.  I went into Punt Roma on a Saturday afternoon, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt with sandles and the ladies just stared at me until I felt so uncomfortable I left.  Went back another time after work, dressed in my nice work duds and they fell all over me.  The fact of the matter with Customer Service people, especially in this country, they are trained to smell money, if you look like you don't have it, well you're a piece of poo. 

No doubt they thought you didn't have it because you're Indian, for me, it was because I was dressed like a slob....however I have to say the people at Pull and Bear ignore me to matter what I wear, so I think they just hire useless people.

Visit www.qatarhappening.com

interesting topic. Your voice could have reached my contacts.

u guys r goin together.. lemme know.. i am comin in too.. and yeah Gudmornin every1..

Just go there with a group of all nationalities and see what the guys reaction is.......

As torc said it would be a good idea to complain to the shop manager....but only if he really cares about it

YOU DONT KNOW ME, DONT EVEN TRY !!!

wow.... getting a little fiesty in places.

Regretfully, the concept of giving people equal respect in the customer service industry does not occur here. In fact, it does happen in other countries around the world too at times. Sometimes, it is related to nationality (very common hear) and other times due to how people perceive you via your clothing and overall image. Basically, one makes an automatic assumption whether one is worthy of a friendlier standing.

Neither is right.

Ksarart, my advice to you is to obtain the contact details of the shop's management/head office and submit a formal complaint on the manner in which you were treated. Personally, I would not make it into a nationality thing as then some people reading (again wrong) may think the person complaining as a chip on his/her shoulder.

Writing to the mall as someone suggested (along with the shop management) is not really going to work. The Mall Management can issue a letter to the shop management but can't do anything further. Afterall, it is not their operation.

You may get somewhere and you may not. It depends on the attitude of the management really. However, it's worth a try and you may assist in preventing or limiting the same for others in the future. I.E Proper management will immediately take action and have a talk and issue letters to all staff reminding them of their customer service obligations to ALL.

You mentioned income as being a factor (and I am not trying to cause another thread drama)..., I believe this should not be taken into consideration. Whether one is on Qrs500 or Qrs.50,000/-, customer service people should extend decent courtesy to a fellow human being.

boss...

let go there together...n let c..

i totlly endorse ur thoughts and feelings...

but be sure dun let it go next time like this if it happens again...

And Supernurse, I really hope you are wearing your spects and reading this dear, I have mentioned very very clearly that I DO NOT have a problem with the West, so with all due respect, for your second post, I would request you to cut the crap...

And I suggest, dear, that you think very hard before posting such a topic and be very aware that you will get replies that you may not agree with. And, dear, the crap as you would like me to cut is my opinion so it will remain intact, dear. Deal with it....dear

lets go there me you and smoke and khanan what you say.

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first of all goood morning fellow QLersssss :)

KSA, sorry dude to hear what you've experienced yesterday. nobody should be treated like that.

- live your life as simple as you are

- money doesn't create man, but it is the man who created money

- don't do what others say, just listen to them, but do what you feel good

whats with all the underlines? havent had ur coffee yet? 

_[]~SMoKE~[]_

Morning all you lovely people,

Firstly, I wasnt there alone, I was there with my mom, bro, and my new Sister-in-law...and well that was one of the reasons I just let it go calm by...

And it is not about rude words, o trust me, I was quite rude back in Australia, but then cooled down a bit (showing signs of maturity & patience), it was jus plain stupid to see the way these guys reacted to me,

A person in here mentioned, that I should put a smile, greet the salesman, O hello, dude, do you realize, I am the one to be greeted, and normally, buddy, I have worked my azz off in the Customer service industry and I am quite sure I know the ethics and meet and greet style...so trust me, fault not on my side...

Another chap in here told me that I have a negative attitude, trust me dude, you might have to meet me and check your senses, I really try very hard to stay away from negativism, (I'm sure a lot many QLers would vouch for me), so understand and then give me a suggestion, however, what you said is quite true, but doesnt apply to me...

And Supernurse, I really hope you are wearing your spects and reading this dear, I have mentioned very very clearly that I DO NOT have a problem with the West, so with all due respect, for your second post, I would request you to cut the crap...

 And to the rest, cheers to your incidents, it does happen everywhere with everyone at everytime, but then again, human race is not built for criticism right, O well, the next time I walk into the mall and I dont recieve service, O trust me, that will be a sight to see...

Till then, hows people doing today...

Whats cooking mates...

Having said that, your problem is quite obviously with westerners etc etc but have a look at the nationality of the sales people...not many westerners there I feel so may be your problem should be aimed elsewhere.........

It is not done with a few rude words, this seems to be a cult thing, there should be a general warning put out from the malls to service staff to treat each an every customer with dignity regardless of nation or colour.

Service staff are not allowed to choose to whom they can offer the best service, whether to an Indian, African, etc. etc. good service has nothing at all to do with skin colour or nationality, their job is to sell and not to decide to whom they sell.

Although I am not shocked to hear this, I am shocked to hear that this is a growing attidtude among sales staff, however, if we all stand by and just complain on QL nothing will be done, I am in favour of writing to the Mall Management and the Management of the stores to advise them about this disconcerting situation and anyone who is in favour to support this action please let me know.

They look down on westerners too honey......trust me, I go into MAC and those girls look at me as if to say 'you could buy the whole shop darlin but it ain't gonna make much difference'......

Don't think it's the skin colour Novita - they do it to us as well. They put it to one side then at the end go "you want this?". I try to stay calm and simply answer yes, but it's hard not to go mental at them!

ksarat - I sympathise with your story, but this is not specific to Qatar. These sort of assumptions about the race of a person happens all over the world. 

good morning dudes! Cool it Ksarat, it happens everywhere everytime, not all sales guys are the same... I am a very calm guy but I make sure that if any salesman acts the same with me I say a few rude words and that straightens him a bit.so give it real to the ones that deserve. shout on them if you can that will really embaress them ... 

nowadays i always act as a snooty madam everywhere i go lol. Sick with how people treating me on the mall.

Just  few days ago i went to carrefour in villagio .... i bought a few items that 1 of them have no barcode on. The cashier put that staff away, and carry on scanning the rest. And give me the total bill. I just stare at her ... and ask her ... does her brain work OK ??? I guess she thought i am one of the maid (eventhough if i am a maid i still deserve a respect ) since i went there without make up straight after school run. And she said again, " Ah ... you still want that stuff without the barcode?". I told her are u stupid or what ? If i dont want the stuffs why on earth i picked it up and put it in the basket ??? I am sure they wouldnt do that if different skin colour come and patronize the place. I dont like to talk 'nasty' ... but sometimes i think i need to give a 'shake up' to these ppl who works in the shop. 

Actually he invited us all to go for a coffee there last night so he probably went alone.

ksarat16

I am very sorry this happened to you and really you should not tolerate it, I know and understand what you are going through. I myself was married to a Turkish guy in Germany and we had many many scenes in shops and airports especially in the UK because of this, he was/is not a second class citizen and neither are you.

Customer Service has to be taught to sales people and unfortunately, they are unable to recognise if you treat a customer well that customer will come back again.

As Alexa said don't worry about it, but do take the time to make a complaint as I think this is ignorance at it's highest grade.

Sorry you were mistreated in this way!

Ksarat16, not just in the malls, i was at the road one time and one of my friend called that one of our friends gave birth and i decided to drop  buy a cake at the fauchoun so i am not well dressed then, and this Filipina sales ladies doesn't give me a face to what i was asking. I just finally let them pack me the cake displayed and not even a thank you, and i should even ask the one to open the door for me because of the big box i am carrying. I was bit dismayed of their action that as if i am not a customer to be given an attention. I went back there after few days to buy another cake for my daughter, but this time, i am well dressed and wearing make-up with a metallic signature bag. As i enter , one opened the door, and everyone turned head on me and greet me with their sweetest smile, and three Filipinas keep following me while i choose the cake and some chocolates and all that you hear is "MAM" yes MAM! "MAM, thank you very much "MAM!" And without asking they open the door for me even i don't have anything in hand because the sales lady escorted me up to my car, with a nice bye bye... What is this for? 

They should bear in mind that anyone who enters the shop, should be treated well because they are customers, whatever they may be wearing or the race or colour or whatsoever..  

"There's nothing we can do to change the past, if it teaches  you a lesson profit from it then, forget it."

Oh ksarat my friend did u go digging ur nose in the malls again? take my advice when u want to go shopping for expensive things in big names shops take a girl with u (i'm sure that wont be too hard for you..after all the training i've given u!) These people still think that a single Indian bugger is just another labourer in Qatar no matter what u wear, or smell like. Trust me going with a lady could even be your mom for that matter and see how they treat u ;)If that doesnt work then hell just make them work their sales butt off, make them show u every kind of shyt u want to see make them reach up to the top shelf if they have to and then just say "Oh crap i left my wallet in the car" lol

_[]~SMoKE~[]_

Looks like your accussing yourself from misunderstanding the circumstances. Maybe you have that thought before hand "thinking your from india" they might not gonna welcome your pressence. Thats one thing you need to throw away when your inside a shopping mall here. 

Simply customers need to communicate the sales person right away. Now if you start labelling the sales people as racist without even communicating them than interpreting them with "sad behaviour infact disgusting" and "absolutely a f*****g BA5tard",as what you have observed thats logically a negative attitude on your part. Looks like your the one having a bad impression against them. 

You have also emphasized that "when an Indian enters the store, they fuc**ng start staring at you like say an ANT, or like a THIEF". Neglect this negative thought and start communicating with them and if the sales people ignore you, then you have  a positive reason to complain.

Sorry if your time ended blatantly wasted at villagio.   

One thing I noticed in Qatar, there is absolutely no customer service... no after sales service once you purchased an item, these sales people they don't care... it's very unprofessional how they treat customer...also the thing you are complaining doesn't only happens inside the malls of Qatar...try flagging down a taxi...then you'll experience the same crap....that's life in Qatar

I think this happens everywhere. My husband and I dress really simple and one day we walked into a car dealership (uk) and started looking at cars to buy in cash. And everyone and their mother was served before us. We were horribly offended and walked out of there without purchasing anything. Thank fully we still have the same trusty car and never bought a new one on a whim ;).

The same thing happens with people we know as I don't care to wear expensive abayas. I guess they don't notice my shoes (shrugs).. Nor do we live in a big house or flash ourselves too much. Alhumdulilah I feel happy like this!

Maryum : Umm Hasan bint Abdullah Alshabrawishi

ksarat.. it used to happen in dubai earlier.. but not anymore.. coz they realised indians are crazy.. if they really wanna buy... they will.. and the customer service is excellent.. and here.. forget it dude.. the guys think the west guys pay.. if it makes u feel any better.. lets all go there.. but not together.. on d same day.. and give d worst comments ever.. this place sucks.. salesmen suck... its pathetic.. n blah blah...seriously wat say..? imagine... those guys will be like wat d hell is goin on..

lol dude it doesnt matter if u r an indian or not, some people are full of crap. Dont take it personally, next time just insult them and if u need help i can guide u to it lol... i know weakness is of people from most of the countries, u just need to press on the right vein. U gotta learn to live among these people, or else they will push u down. Just be smart enough to face them. These people think they are doing the right thing, until they get biach slapped in their faces.

It's always the small things that make big differences.

"Be Like a Flower, Which gives off it's fragrance even to the hand that crushes it"--- Imam Ali (A.S)

I mean really.  Do you really care about the looks of the people there?  They will straighten up once you pay a hefty bill and walk out.  Happened to me a few times too but I am too thick skinned.  I mean we are the consumers and they are supposed to be people in the service industry and their job is to service. 

Like today, I walked into Modern Home to find out if someone can install our BOSE system and the white receptionist gave me really dumb answers.  I asked for the service department number and she started to give it to me verbally as if I would memorise it.  I gave her a chilled look thinking if she worked for me I would have fired her immediately.  She realized what she was doing on scribbled it down on a piece of paper. 

Its just the way people are.  Just realize your consumer power and enjoy.

As the first action,I would ask Ksarat to write a letter to the management regarding the issue. (this would let them know the reason for the fall in business).

Secondly, lets all take an oath to never(unless very necessary)visit such shops.

Finally, SPread the news through all possible media

BEFORE IT HIT QL......

QL should give an option of not declaring the country....

U didnt like it so u posted it here .....So everyone cant tolerate rite???

 everytime, we face such racism.

Last time when I went to Al Fardan to buy a watch (Omega Double eagle)... they hesitated a lot to show and explain properly..   Infact I stepped in and asked for the particular watch by name.    After I examined, check the wrist size etc  when I asked them to bill it ..  they started asking so many questions... they were not believing that an Indian can buy a QR 13 K worth watch....  When they questioned on the card... I offered them my debit and offered them later that I will draw cash and give it to them.    Later they got convinced.   It was a great insult to me before my wife.

During the same time,  I saw a few ME nationals and a European national who engaged the sales men for more than 30 to 45 minutes..  just left without buying anything ... after their window shopping.   After that purchase, i made a detailed complaint to the owner and GM of Al Fardan.   

Rasicm is there  every where.... if not on nationalities...  the racism based on color of skin can not be erased from the surfacae of earth.

From what I have seen of malls around here - you're lucky they even let your "bachelor" self in there. It's crazy really.  

*************************************

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

u know when u have entered the shop you must have given them a fishy gesture :P so they might have thought ur a theif :P lolz...no offense

As long as 90% of the Indian individuals in this country are blue collar. Then that look of disgust you so adimittly discribed will remain. Sad but true. Give it 50 years you may see the frowns turn upside down.

 Point about 4 riches people, kind of weak. Less than 1% of Indians own the wealth and 99% are dirt poor. I don't think you'll see those 4 guys in Villagio.But we might see the other 99.

" if its not a good time, its a good story"

Absolutely a gorgeous girl you are, that is a superb idea, about the competition...LOL...and yes ofcourse even better when you tag along,

Naaa,, I am pretty sure its not going to stay with me long...it was just an impulse of a thread that I created here...

It happens in your own country, now that is real bad girl, I mean, the guy who walks into a store earns more than the guy sitting at the counter unless he owns the bloddy place, so why should the customer service agent be even thinking of differentiating...

O well, girl, how you doing, its been a really long time since we caught up,...

this reminds me of the Pretty Woman version, where they assume by the way she dresses that she has no money to spend and dont offer her assistance.

Do assistants work on commision here? If they do then ksarat16, do a julia roberts on them ( but dont wear those thigh boots)...

better next time wear something from milan and enter villagio :P

It is not against the West that I'm raising, I am jus trying to see, when will Qatar start respecting everyone as equal...

Not angry mate, but just quite annoyed, freaking you spend over a QR 1000 bucks and still be treated like crap...naaaa...I aint up for this mate, and o hell no I aint joining the club...

I really dont feel it happens in New India (i mean back home), everyone is treated like they are supposed to...

O well, people are people, its just the way you start looking at it...isnt it...

poor you awww..it happens for other nationals also......now those shopkeepers should put a sign on the door only West people allowed :P