Customer Service

One thing that takes a little getting used to in France is the "different" approach to customer service.  You do come across people that are extremely helpful but for the most part you are treated with mild indifference at best.  Today at Monoprix we waited to buy some things while 3 cashiers stood next to us shooting the shit and examining some spreadsheets - when Marc alerted them to our presence they responded with an unenthusiastic "oh we didn't see you".  I hardly even notice this sort of interaction anymore.  At the worst we were talked OUT of buying bikes by the salesperson - to the point where I almost got in a real argument with the guy.  On the other hand I have heard from friends working in the service profession here that customers are particularly finicky as well, often describing some abstract concept that you are expected to find for them eg; "I'm looking for an outfit that will go nicely with my understanding of postmodern thought" thus making service professionals somewhat more irritable.  Sometimes I enjoy the feeling that the world here does not revolve around the exchange of money, other times, it just irritates the crap out of me.