As you stroll through the back-streets of Sliema and Gzira, you will come across any number of small shops selling everything you never knew you wanted (and in many cases still don’t). The majority of these establishments appear to be family run concerns, and seem to serve a dual purpose. As well as putting the loaf on the family table, they often double up as a type of holding cell for reluctant teenage relatives. These sons, daughters, nephews, nieces, cousins and family friends can only stare balefully out at the world from behind the counter which constrains them. No they do not want to be wasting valuable hours of their lives in this pokey little stationery store. And they will not pretend otherwise, certainly not to whichever individual may thoughtlessly come in off the street attempting to purchase something. If continuing their telephone conversation or assault on Angry Birds on the i-phone fails to dissuade said customer, then they will reluctantly concede to take your money. But they will not look happy about it.
Won’t somebody help these unfortunate creatures and release them from their tiny prisons?
Share this:
Dear God, no! Best leave the little luvvies where they are, at least they’re not hanging around on street corners pouting, posturing and making a bloody noise. There’s more than enough time for them to be let loose on an unsuspecting world…
So this is the secret of the legendary Maltese customer care :)It all starts with a proper training.
This phenomenon is not limited to Malta. I have run into it in small towns in the US & Ireland & the UK, and it’s all I found in the shops when I was stuck in Rome for a long weekend. I half feel bad for teenagers who get stuck working in the family business or shop, but gillyb is so right. Teenagers need structure and responsibilities, or at least something to keep them out of trouble. We’ve all been there, and we all came out better for working & helping support our families & saving money for travel or college.
I still feel a bit bad for them, stuck in the shops on gorgeous summer days (and for their customers).