I took Taza and Ellie to the vet this morning, Ellie for a check-up on some funny spots and Taza for a bath and haircut. The first person we talked to thought Ellie was a lab. Not very confidence-inspiring. When the actual vet came, she didn't seem to have a clue what was wrong with Ellie and then told us she is overweight. Tim thinks its possible; I think she just doesn't know what a mastiff looks like. Those rolls on the floor when Ellie was lying down aren't fat-- they're loose skin.

Anyway, when Taza was finally ready 5 hours later (normally it takes an hour or two), I picked her up. From the beginning, it was obvious that they didn't follow my instructions and give her a short "jungle cut," but on the way home, I realized that they hadn't cut her hair at all. Just a bath. Sigh.

At this point a year ago, I probably would have turned around and gone back, demanding they fix my problem either by cutting her hair or refunding my money. I didn't do either. What I've learned about customer service in Peru is that it's different (that's special lingo from my cross-cultural training). And by different I mean non-existent. Sometimes they argue with me. Sometimes they ignore me. Generally it doesn't work out well for me.

So I went home. Next time I'll go somewhere else. I'm not miffed. This is just the way things go. I'm finally learning to let it go.

*Note: I think this only works for me when I haven't spent a lot of money. For a $10 bath, I'll move on. When I pay enough money that I think I should be getting good customer service, I'm still a pill. Room to grow.

1 Comment

1. The Kenaston Family on September 29, 2009 at 10:00 AM

   Oh Hannah, I will say that this will be a art learned for me there. I have the definite US mentality of return it, exchange it, get customer satisfaction! I am learning through you that it is possible! lol. I remember a time when I was newly married (19 years ago) and we went to a authentic mexican restaurant. I was very snotty and not saved then. I told the waiter that the meat looked liked and smelled like dog meat. It was gross, so I thought. Really I just had a very limited diet and had never seen shredded beef before. Was that possible. Well I got a big taste of authentic mexican pride being insulted and not only got charged but got a talking to. So pray for me as I walk this journey that I can drive away when it just doesn't go the US way. Thanks for sharing.