Why Did I Refuse This Random Act of Kindness?

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by 3894

That's an interesting question.

It floored me that she said anything. Many Americans bemoan the death of customer service. As far as I can tell, it never existed in this part of rural Wisconsin due to a confluence of cultural and economic factors. For a merchant to not operate in a cocoon of apathy is of note.

You know the story about the English stationer who carries newspapers, cards, and letter paper but not pens or pencils? Fifty times a day, someone comes in and asks to buy a pen. "We don't do pens, sir," is always the answer, with a yawn thrown in.

It's like that here. I'm glad the local Starbucks hasn't succumbed yet.

Warning: Sweeping criticism of an entire region of our country follows:

One often reads how the same personal injury is likely to yield far lower damage awards in midwestern communities than in coastal urban communities. This is commonly attributed to midwestern sturdiness and a culture that doesn't bray about entitlements but has a greater appreciation for life's pitfalls. Since, in the customer service context, supply typically follows demand, your take suggests to me that it's not sturdiness at all, but a pathological form of tightlipped Norwegian-bachelor-farmer shyt eating that prevents one from demanding even what one is indisputably due.