Services Since no photos for the time being, let me rant about something I feel strongly about. The level of service in the retail sector in Singapore. Everyone knows it sux compared to places like Japan, so what's new? Well I am not going to elaborate on how inattentive the staff at Hugo Boss @ Taka 3rd Level (one young chinese chap with large spiky hair), Polo Ralph Lauren @ Taka 1st Level (another chinese chap with large spiky hair) or Aldo at Wisma Atria (one malay chap and one malay gal) are. That's hardly surprising, even if their stuff are 'branded'.

Since it is not unusual for bad service, it is better to applaud exemplary service instead. Alain Figaret just outside Kino @ Taka is probably not very familiar to everyone because it only sells dress shirts (aka office wear) and related accessories. The shop front is pretty small and is easy to miss. But I've received really good service there for the 3 times I've been there. The first time I went, Angela (one of the senior staff there), guided me through the various shirt collars and prompted me to try the shirts for size and for the designs. She knows her stuff and gives advice on the collar styles, designs and materials in a non-condescending manner. At the end when I was ready to pay, I casually asked whether there will be a sale (since it is the GSS after all). She honestly said there's going to be one soon so I mean no point for me to buy then coz I don't need it urgently. So after all the trying and stuff I did not buy in the end. BUT, and that's a big but, I did not get the sour face treatment! I mean she could have silently cursed me la haha but at least she didn't show it. I mean she was really pleasant about it, at least I could tell it was sincere. Wow really good service lor.

The second time I went was when the sale begun and I got the shirts I wanted. I wanted a tie too and again I was patiently shown the various designs. When I was discussing with CY about which design to get, Angela would discretely move away to let us decide, unlike some places where they linger around u irritatingly. Anyway to cut the story short, since I wanna eat dinner now, it's not often I get good service in boutiques (maybe because I look poor? :P) so this is indeed a good experience. Coupled with the fact that their shirts and stuff are really nice and reasonably priced too, I have to give it the thumbs up!

Oh another experience is at Taka dept store where I got good service from one senior staff (the younger staff all cannot make it) at the men's dept. Can someone stop hiring young chinese guys with spiky hair?! After choosing my stuff he offered to queue in line for me! I only had to go to the cashier when it is my turn. Thumbs up again!  F-ed by me at 7:26 PM

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