Customer care in Greece

Having moved back to Greece about 15 years ago, I can say I'm happy with most of the customer service I get be it the supermarket, stores, hotels, restaurants.  Many are very friendly and courteous and I've never had a problem.

However, I'm not as thrilled with the service in the public service domain.  When I went to DEH (electric company) to request new service, one office I had to go to-the man sat there gossiping with the lady who delivers coffee... ignoring me and when I pointed to my watch (I'm pretty patient this was after 10 min of his gossip), his response was in a bit, you can listen too!!  As if I cared what he had to say!!! (he needed to show how giving -how much he gave to be precise to some lady who retired-as if I knew or cared).  I've never forgotten that experience.  Though I have no complaint with the tellers at DEH when I use to go in to pay my electric bill, they were always very quick and friendly... just seems those in office have gotten their ego inflated a bit.

My other bad experience was with a major bank in Greece. I went to take out a very small loan, I actually did it just for the purpose of creating credit in my name here in Greece (ok I grew up in the US so building credit is important though I realize now it doesn't work exactly same way here). Anyway, when the customer service rep was finished with my paperwork, I asked him for a debit card-to be connected to that loan. He quite rudely said based on an assumption "you don't work right? so you can just come in the bank anytime you want to withdraw or deposit", to which I told him I had better things to do than spend the day in line at a bank! He got upset, but went ahead with the paperwork needed.. did not speak to me after that just grunted & pointed to where I needed to sign-and that was it. Never went into that branch again!