I get the impression that americans are rude and unhelpfull is it me or are they really like that?

Question

I hate having to ring up call centers in america because I'm scared that there gonna be rude to me. Maybee its just me but they come across as authorotive and unhelpfull and well just kinda rude. They say things like I'm sorry Sir you need to fill out a 1f10 like i told you yesterday. I was in New Orleans and this women was really rude to me becvause i didn't hear her when asking for directions. I'm British BTW is this a cultural difference or my imagination or what?

Answer 1

I've lived for a while in both the UK and the US. Yes, you are experiencing a cultural difference. We Americans are in a bigger hurry than Brits. But most of us are patient and helpful, or at least we try to be!
I hope that some day you can visit the US, travel the length and breadth of it and meet all the wonderful people there.

Answer 2

Probably just your perception.

If someone gives you a hassle because you didn't hear them the first time, then just say in a calm tone, "I didn't hear you." I have found that the direct approach usually puts a stop to rude behavior in any country, and I've been to many differerent places, including New Orleans and London.

People who act rude are usually suffering from low self-esteem, and they assume that YOU are the one who insulted them first because they misinterpreted something you did.

I don't know about call centers. Some business are helpful, some are not. Ask in a calm voice to speak to someone's supervisor if they are being unhelpful (that usually works). If the supervisor is unhelpful, contact the Better Business Bureau on the web, or find another business.

Never get loud or upset, in any country, because that puts the other person on the defensive, and they become uncooperative.

Calm but firm usually works anywhere.

Answer 3

I'm not here to excuse bad manners or anything else but I have to ask, have you ever worked in a call center? I burnt out in about 2 months. The same problem day after day with the same disregard for our protocol and I have even been exposed to the "Do you know who I am?" attitude. I apologize for my cohorts who are somewhere between burnout and dropout, I hope you do better next time.

Honestly, Americans are just as any other large group. We have all sorts and yes, rude and unhelpful are among the less popular members of our menagerie.

Answer 4

No Ashton, we are not all rude and unhelpful. America is just like anywhere else that you have to deal with people, some will be friendly and helpful and some will not. Some areas of America are more hospitable than others. The south is generally like that, there have been some changes since Hurricane Katrina. People in N.O. are still trying to restore their city and I can imagine that some are not as friendly as they once were. Anytime you are in a large city you will find that people are more preoccupied with their own day to day activities. Please don't take it personally, and don't lump us all into the same group. Just as we shouldn't lump all Brits into the same group.

Answer 5

In defense of Americans, for the most part we are good at heart. But we are always in a hurry and impatient. Sometimes we appear unhelpful based on fear or mistrust. It depends what part of America you visit. There are good and rude people everywhere. Sorry that you have gotten the wrong impression of us, hopefully you will encounter more positive experiences. (Borned and raised in America).

Answer 6

You will find all kinds and dispositions located here...but you must also be aware; many people have their own demons to face. Some don't fare so well. nor do they handle it well.

Answer 7

Americans don't suffer fools gladly.