Should South Africans complain more?

Question

I've always believed that complaining at restaurants will eventually lead to better service. And I have done so on many occasions. If I'm not satisfied with anything, I'll complain to the management. Do you agree with that? Do you think that if South Africans complain more about the crime in South Africa things will change for the better? Not that complaining about food is anywhere close to complaining about crime.

To smiley: At least I know a lot more than you. Talking about stupid questions, have you taken a look at some of your questions?

To Malan: Don't upset yourself, dude! Some people are just too lazy to read the whole question or even what they themselves mentioned. These ignorant fools should stick to questions like "how do I tone my butt" and "finding my dream man on Yahoo Answers."

Answer 1

I wouldnt say its a stupid question, every question is a unique, for me this is a good question, is the right question and at the right time, your question is related to the current situation in South Africa - I am also one of victim of crime - Thank God "I am alive" - the hi-jackers were good to me, they took my personal belongings,my car,cellphone and dropped me...
Related to your question,I have done that several times, complaining to the management -and things get done - this not only for the self satisfaction but also can contribute to skill delvelopment, thas why in some places they keep suggestion box and so on.One good thing about South African, I wouldnt relate to the Government alone but at whole, South African are good listeners, if its good,they will implement - another attitute of South African that I have discovered is that when its hot, they complain, when its cold they complain - may be its good attitude that opens a room for complaining - I did ask myself one question when I was in Zambia, I found petrol price R11 per litre-and people in Zambia are not even complaining... then I asked why do we have to complain in South Africa where a litre of petrol is less than R6? South Africa is better than any country in Africa - in terms of economic development and freedom of the speech - these are great desires for many human beings living in modern and civilized world. I heard many saying, its better to live in the pool of crime than living in DRC and Zimbabwe where human rights doesnt exist - We are desparate in South Africa looking for set of solutions to cut down the crime, to answer your question, yes its our democratic rights to complain about crime in South Africa, it can help but with condition that we must be part of the solution. We cannot only throw the ball to the Minister of Safety and Security or SAPS or Government alone - it is our responsibility at whole to fight this desease of crime, we must work hand and hand with existance law enforcement without violating human rights (mob justice) or causing division among ourselves - this is exceptional moment for the nation against crime - I hope I have answered your question.Thank you.

However, if one can spend a day at Police Station help desk - then will understand how and tough work police are going through, we need to help them -!!!

Answer 2

The government honestly doesn't give a flying horse shoe! They are living in safety and therefore nothing and no one else matters, especially because that would mean that they have to use 'their' money (that they stole from us citizens) to help improve security in this country. Do you know that on the contrary they have actually been lessening security in this country? My bros and I are reservist cops. My older bro was part of a specialized unit called 'North Eastern task Team'....their unit was closed down about a month ago-they had a huge success rate (they call them the homeless unit now, lol!). The SVCU (serious and violent crime unit) which also has a major success rate was just closed down a few months ago. There are talks of closing down some of the units in flying squad and there was something I heard on the same line about the 'Scorpions'. Now, have a look at all this and tell me if you think that they will listen to our complaints about improving security in this country?! These are scary facts aren't they? I personally still love this country and I believe that some way or other things will turn out good! It will just be a matter of time until it does!

Answer 3

No, I don't think it will help. I mean hello, first you've got to complain to the government, where they will only tell you (that is if they answer a telephone), Eish, sorry, but the peson you're looking for is in da meeeeeting. (Because they went on a very early lunch). Then after maybe three years where someone eventually heard what you're saying, they might consider getting the SAPD's participation, where they might ask you to bring a pen with because they do not have pens, because A: they can't read or write and don't know where the pens are kept, or B: the pens are stolen.

I really don't think it will help. There are so many campaigns against crime and that doesn't even help.

How can I as a plain resident complain?

Answer 4

You say" europeans go to someone else's land and pretend that they have been there all the time, disregard the local customs and cultures, make no effort to assimilate, and take and take the riches of the land, and complain when their privileges are denied" What about blacks killing farmers for their land (Zimbabwe???) and then burning down the farmhouse and destroying their crops. Another thing, in our own small way, whites have contributed to the economic growth and development of South Africa - I suppose you wouldn't see it as much of a contribution, but I think it is enough to make a difference. Make no effort to assimilate ???- we have welcomed black people into our neighbourhood with open arms, I have four black neighbours in our part of the complex and we are always stopping to have a chat with each other and discuss work, children etc. Can you imagine if a white family had to move into the township... they wouldn't last two days. To prove my point on this, follow the news on the xenophobic attacks in the townships.

Answer 5

I think we should continue complaining. It does make a difference. I suppose to whom we complain to is the real issue. We may be complaining to the waitress who really doesn't care or to the shift manager, who is too tired to care and its not his own business to worry about. But the owner of the restaurant may take it differently. We can even write a little note to our local newspapers, like the Mercury, the Star, the Argus... Those letters to the Editor are read by a lot of people and make a 'felt' difference.

About changing the whole thing to a political question, let's stay in context please.

Answer 6

Business men in the Hibiscus coast, south of Durban, had their businesses frequently robbed. Their made many complaints and got little or no response from the government. Eventually they hired some private strong men to hunt down all the known criminals who had been robbing their businesses. Very specific criminals were targeted and killed. That's when government's attention was raised, but foolishly enough they (gvmnt) wanted to charge the relevant business men with murder and taking law into their own hands. My point is, I think if the South Africans' complaints are persistently hitting the deaf ears, then we might as well follow on the foot-steps of these business men. What else can we do?

Answer 7

Smiley, 52% of Porgie's answers were voted as the best compared to your 6%. I think he asked a very good question because service delivery has slumped to new lows this year - we need to complain more and show less apathy. Make our voices heard! Unfortunately I don't think people will stop voting for the ANC - SA doesn't has a strong opposition party either - A freedom movement will always get the vote for decades after liberty?

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Smiley, I said it regarding the following: "What do you know so by the way? I'm still living here in South Africa, not you. I know a lot more than you do. That's probably why people over there look down on you cause you don't know much." - You said you know more than him.

Answer 8

Porgie, I've got bad news for you; you can complain all you want, the criminals running your government don't care.
They even told you to, and I quote: 'leave the country' if you don't like the crime.

Answer 9

service in the UK and US (in my experience) is similar to what we have in SA. People are people wherever you go

Answer 10

i think it would only get worse