My patience is wearing thin…
… and how about yours? Living in the Philippines since almost nine years now, I experienced, that almost every day and every body asked me to be patient. It looks like a plot against me. But guys, how can we describe the real essence of life in a world where most of the things we need at the moment are “out of stock”.
Asking acceptance of a little delay after letting me wait at a cashier makes me furious. Sorry, “cashier is closed!” Standing in line and being informed after one hour that “the other side is being in a pretty mess” (whatever that means?), makes me furious. Of course, the lady has been polite, courteous and respectful by murmuring charming excuses, “Slowdowns are normal nowadays”. And, I am expected to be a little bit more patient. Ok, I am. I will. I apologized for my jostle…
A sudden water interruption; a sudden power interruption, while writing this piece; a “not reachable person or company at this time” (”Try your call later!”); a taxi driver, who loves to start a detour (again!) - it’s a bottomless pit. That’s sometimes really the last straw.
And here we are again: Patience, patience, patience. And then suddenly the scales fell from my eyes. Patience can be wisdom. I realize I also can practice patience, because many times I have no other choice.
I will also find a way to open this silly sardine tin… 
Klaus, Klaus… be patient, my friend!
Of course, you are very correct. I never thought about it, but anytime you go anywhere here they always apologize for delays, even ask you to be patient with them! It’s funny in the stores, the service is slow, yet they have probably 10 times as many employees as an equivalent store in the West would have. And the store in the West could complete the task in 1/10 the time! It doesn’t make sense!
If I were the manager of a store, I’d get tired of apologizing, and fix the problem!
But, Klaus.. you must be patient!
Klaus, I have seen this phenomenon in other parts of the Philippines. I would have to think that it’s the management style or the lack of leadership as we know it. In the west, labor is expensive and so we’re motivated to getting things done quickly. Over there, labor is cheap, but they should at least train the people and structure the workflow towards efficient operation. I can’t solve their problems, but I take pride in pushing people hard when I have a project there. Hopefully some folks there learn from my methods.
Klaus, yes, patience could evade us really easily with the kind of service (gosh so far it’s the worst here in gensan) some establishments give us. My husband and I could get really upset (and obnoxious) when service staff just refuse to go back to their customer service training (or lack of it). Now you remind me of my boss, who happens to be german also. When he would say ‘mama mia!’, i know he is getting upset though he says that with a smile.
Hi Bob, you are (again) absolutely right. Sure, I remain patient. You told before you never saw me loosing my temper…
Anyway thanks for giving your advice.
Hi Aldel, great idea. I am sure, some will learn from your methods. Of course, it’s always the management or especially the lack of leadership. Thanks for dropping by.
Hi Cathy, regards also to your husband. Is he also a German? Anyway, the Italian expression “Mama Mia” is very known in Germany. It’s really being upset with a smile. But how long does this remain? I smiled reading your comment. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Klaus-They must be joking asking a German to be patient and or tolerant. Thats like asking a Scotsman not to tap his feet when hearing Scottish Dance music. And by the way if you still cannot open the sardine can, you can always go on a diet.
Such is life in the beautiful and charming Philippines they have a soloution for everything.
Klaus patience is avirtue or so weare told.Myself yes i do have but not for ineffienciesor or stupidities.
Hi Jim, yes and no. I guess there are still Germans, who know how to be patient. And regarding the sardine can: I just tried to find a joke ending my article. Sometimes gallows humour helps…
Hi Frank Fealey, Thanks for dropping by. I agree totally with you.
Klaus do not worry I am coming around with a bottle of wine.
The problems will be the same but you will not care for a while
Most places don’t bother training the people right because they are hired for a 6 month contract, the maximum time you can work somewhere and not get paid benefits (PhilHealth, SSS, etc.).
Hi John, that’s a good idea. Let’s try it…
Hi Louis, thaks for dropping by. You are absolutely right…
[...] that frustration. It’s kind of like recently, when Klaus wrote a column entitled, “My patience is wearing thin…“ that’s how I feel [...]
I like to think that by now I am pretty patient. I am, mostly… But then, we got to by an appliance in SM. It takes a few minutes to figure out which water dispenser we want, but THEN! They bring out a boxed dispenser, and a large container of water. They slowly set the whole thing up, dump in the water (is it clean water?!) and demonstrate that indeed, the water comes out the spout, and when the red light is on, it gets hot… tick, tick tick. Then the water is laboriously removed from the dispenser (tick, tick, tick), it is carefully repacked into the carton, and we are sent to the cashier. Three people examine the box and the price (tick, tick, tick), money is exchanged. We are given a receipt which I stuff into my purse. The guard, who is two feet from the cashier, watching this transaction, requires us to show him the receipt so we may leave with the box… I have to dig around in my purse… I didn’t scream. I didn’t even say anything, but I am sure I didn’t look cheerful!
Klaus,
I can understand where you are coming from about always being asked to be patient. In America, the only times I am asked to please be patient with a clerk s when they are a trainee. However, I was mostly please with the friendliness of the clerks in the phils.
As far as patience being requested…. LOL the only person I ever hear that from is Marleen. “Slowly, huneee!” “Careful, huneee!” “Be patient, huneee!” even if I am moving at a snail’s pace with a vacuous grin on my face. Mostly I hear that when I am getting off a jeep, walking down stairs or down the sidewalk/crosswalk, to the bathroom (and what-have-you). I hear it all the time, but I know that it comes from a good and caring place and I am forever blessed with the realization that I might never hear that coming from anyone in America; clerk, passer-by, or anyone else.
Hi American Lola, I smiled and smiled and smiled, while reading your comment. It happened to us many times in the same way, and
also in SM CIty Davao. We bought several items, wanted to walk away (after paying everything, of course), but the guard stopped us and wanted to check all bags again. One of the salesgirls “assisted” us by explaining the bill and the several packages… 
Hi Lawrence, “slowly huneee, careful huneee”. Yeah, how sweet. Such things really don’t bother me any more. Of course, it’s coming from a good and caring place. We are really blessed. I only go with stories like from American Lola or so…
To both of you, thanks for dropping by. Let’s have a nice day.
[...] “My patience is wearing thin” - Klaus is getting tired of all the requests for patience! [...]