The things the diaspora should know about

Aug 25, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
I read the piece about the “things” the diaspora should know about (Freddie Kissoon column of Thursday, August 24). Guyanese who live abroad are already aware of the drawbacks of life in present-day Guyana. Such things are taken very seriously and serve a valid purpose for “staying put” wherever they are at the moment. In my attempt to resettle in Guyana in the mid-1990s, may I mention something not to the fore that irritated many of us returnees – the bad attitude and manners of some shop assistants.
There was a paint shop in one of Georgetown’s busiest streets. The serving assistant was in the habit of ‘chucking ‘ change at customers, in the manner of throwing a bone to a dog. This was done in full view of the cashier and anyone who happened to be looking on. The first time she did it to me, I decided not to visit that shop again. A few years later, needing to paint the rails on the outside stairway of my home, and not being able to get it from my usual hardware shop, I tried the ‘chucking’ shop again. Once again, she chucked the change at me.
Used to courtesy in shops, this was “too much”, and I immediately complained, in her presence, to the chap in charge about the uncouth behaviour of his ragged, dirty-looking woman assistant. I never visited that shop again, and hoped that she acquired some “couth” along the way. I had got used to good manners in shops. Sales depended on attitudes and service of staff.
Geralda Dennison

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