Medimax Customer Service Sucks!

So, my exams went well, all my marks are satisfying. This week I was giving an intensive french class (4 hours a day) and working hard before my vacation.

This weekend being my last weekend before I leave (on Thursday), I wanted to buy the few last things I need etc. Including a small fan I can plug into the van for the over-30-degree-Celsius-temperature in Greece. Off to the local Medimax (german appliance store).

It's Saturday, obviously the day of the week where the most customers are there. I look around and see only one fan, and it's definitely too big to bring in my luggage. I look around on my own, trying to find a smaller one by myself. Nada. In a country where air conditioning is a week breeze of very humid, slightly-cooler-than the-surrounding-temperature air, I thought they would be bound to have at least more than just one model of fans. I finally give up, and look for a salesperson to help me out. It didn't really matter if they did have more or not, it's just that since I was already there, I wanted to be sure I didn't just miss their "fan" section before going home. Double nada. At the other end of the store, in the electronics department, I spot two fat-bellied-men that look like they work there, but they're deep in conversation. I start going through the departments, and finally find a lady in the cd and dvd section. I stand next to her, she just doesn't take notice, so I ask her kindly:
- "Excuse me maam, I was just wondering: I'm looking for a small fan and in the section next to this one I saw one, but it's pretty big and I'd like to know if you have other models".
She looks at me and just says:
-"That's not my section".
To which I (still kindly, but getting annoyed) reply:
-"Yes, I'm aware of that but there's nobody in that section and I just want to know if there are other models"
to which she answers, obviously annoyed
-"how should I know, I told you to ask somebody in the other section".
Mind you, I am used to bad customer service in Germany, but this just bugged me so much, I had to say something. So I answered:
-"Ok, thanks, great customer service by the way".
And THEN, she answers
-"well, if you're going to put in a complaint or something, I can go with you and look for another employee with you".
At that point (we were at the entrance of the store), I just gave up and said:
-"No thank you, I prefer for my money to pay the salary of someone who offers proper customer service, I'm sure I'll find another store where they carry fans."
She looked at me as if I had two heads, I wished her a nice day and I went off.

I don't get it. Especially in these times, where so many companies are going bankrupt and so many people are losing their jobs, you would think people here would MAYBE consider offering BASIC customer service? I get that Germans don't like the whole "hi, how are you, have a nice day" thing, and that's fine, but is it really that much to ask for? All I want is not have to BEG the employees to show me where the merchandise is so that I may PLEASE spend my money in their stores!

Medimax Schönhauser Allee, you suck.

I met Lady GaGa!!!

Last night I went to GaGa's show in Berlin and stuck around and got to talk to her and get her autograph afterwards... The show was amazing, and although I haven't been a groupie since my 16th birthday, it was fun being able to see her upclose and personal :)

Exams, exams, exams...

2 out of three survived, will be getting the marks shortly, last one up tomorrow.

Actually I know I'm really not using this blog to its full potential, but I'm hesitant to kill it off, since I might want to start using it again some time...

For example, posting vaca pics in september (pictures of croatia, albania, macedonia, montenegro and greece!)

Next I will be giving an intensive French class at university, and the week after I'm flying to Dubrovnik, where the bf will pick me up in our beloved van. Bliss!

My parents in law will be in Berlin for a week while we're away, and they'll be staying at my place... OH lord, let's hope this goes well! One thing is for sure, there will be an incredibly big summer cleaning before I leave!! And they'll finally get to meet Pouki-Helmut :)

I love Berlin in the summertime, it's so pretty and warm and bright!!