I have lived here in Hinesville for nearly 17 years. What you have said is TRUE! It was not always like this though. There was a time when service was expected to be great and symbolize the great lost tradition of SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. However, you are correct, it seems that that is a dying philosophy. The restaraunts are dirty and dingy. The servers are rude and impatient. Also, they can not even seem to get your orders right most of the time. I also agree that finding a good job is difficult. It does appear that you can only find a decent job if you know someone. Afterall, how else could so many idiots land all the good jobs while the true professionals are forced to work for impoverished wages. They tell you that education is the key to a comfortable future, that must apply everywhere else because it certainly does not apply here in Hinesville. I agree with your comments and hope that others do too. Maybe then we can get back to the Great Hinesville that I remember and bring credit back to the South!

Ever heard the phrase "good ole' boy system"? You both just gave good definitions, but left out the part about interbreeding.

It makes you wonder if you have to give up your morales and become a "kiss ---" or "cut throat" just to live here.

I have lived and worked here since 1992 and it's not the customer service that's bad it's the rude customer. You come in acting like you can talk to who ever is trying to help you any way you like. Well I got news for you we are human beings and I , for one , would like to see a customer who gives respect and and has manners. It's not the businesses that have the problem it's people like you that think we should bow down and kiss your feet just because you walked threw their doors. If you start treating us like human beings instead of machines you might get what you want. For 15 years I have been cursed at, had GI's try to urinate on me, been physically accosted and other things I won't mention. I am not going to let the almighty customer abuse me any more and think it is ok. If you want to act rude and be a jerk then you don't deserve a smile or have a nice day. If you don't like customer service reps why don't you go out and get a job and see how you like someone cursing and yelling at you.

smlilly

I waitressed in this town for a year right next door to a strip club. When the strip club closed for the night in came the soldiers and strippers (most being drunk) and I have never been treated badly by any of them. What bothered me is coming into work the night shift and having to do the work the day shift was too lazy to do. I know what it feels like to be on both ends of the spectrum. The point is you wanted the job, you must like it or you wouldnt have been there for 15 years. It is your choice what you do. Being in the service industry means you serve. If YOU dont like it find another job. The customer service here in Hinesville is pathetic. Every job you can do in Hinesville revolves somehow around a consumer. We have all done customer service work. I was raised with manners and decency so I am always respectful of the person serving me. When I am paying that person's salary by visiting that establishment and spending my money, decency and competence is expected in return.

Amen Eyes. smlilly has the typical attitude for this area. I raised this issue a couple of months ago and was not so politely told to move back from where I came. Right now that is not an option. I will, however, make an example of anyone that provides less than adequate service while employed in a service oriented job. In addition, I will commend those who perform above and beyond. I have already done both and will continue to do the same.

I don't have the typical attitude I don't believe the customer has a right to talk down to the "the service people" or do what they want. You have to treat people the way you want to be treated and I will not let some rude person talk to me any way they want to. I have not only 15 years here but another 10 years in another state. I found that places like Jesup where people are from that area are nicer. I am sorry you don't like what I have to say but the truth is Hinesville is a military town and there is nothing southern or nice about it. Go away from here and you will see. I am not going to allow anyone to talk down to me I work hard and most of the people I service I like, but there are a few I wish would just go to another business. but for a closing note, next time someone is rude to you ask them where they are from. you will find most of the rude people are the military spouses because the locals from here move away once they are old enough to do so.

smlilly, maybe you need to do a self-evaluation because no joke, you really do have an attitude typical to this area. The first thing the locals do is blame the military for all their problems. In truth the military is by far the least of the problems in Hinesville. Usually they are in the field or gone to war. If you had an experience of someone trying to urinate on you, I doubt it was because of them being a soldier. More likely, the fact they were a soldier they didn't like your local attitude. If you come across in person like you do in print, I would have applauded their effort. Many generations of soldiers are the life-line of this country and the gratitude by the locals is little to none. I would have probably unzipped my fly also! By the way, the only time I have heard of a local leaving is when they get arrested in another county. No one else but interbred relatives will put up with the back wood attitudes for very long, unfortunately they always manage to find their way back. I have a question for you, have you ever served in the military? If the draft was implemented alot of these local attitudes would change.

smlilly

I seem to remember reading somewhere that you worked at a joint here and now you own it. Which place is it? I would love to come in and check out your restaurant and staff.

Not one time in my posting did I mention anything about the South or Southern Hospitality. Im talking about Hinesville. The soldiers dont own the businesses in town, the local does. Stop whining about the military, if it wasnt for them who the heck would be paying your salary? Like I said earlier, learn some manners, have some respect, and teach your kids. The only reason anyone has a semblance of success in this town comes off the backs and wallets of our soldiers. Dont ever forget it. So what restaurant do you own? Come on smlilly, put up or shut up.

Can I safely offer just one man’s opinion? Laziness and incompetence abounds here and abroad, and I feel it is related to a more far reaching problem: entitlement. We are in the midst of a major change in work force makeup with a generation that has grown-up getting everything, wanting for nothing and expecting the world to cater to them. The corporate model for hiring is even changing to adjust to this attitude of “what can YOU do for ME? This is not exclusively a Hinesville problem.

I agree that some of the restaurant establishments here require dire improvements in their cleanliness and service programs. As a patron, my solution is through the all powerful dollar. If I am dissatisfied with either, I will not return for business until the problem(s) is corrected.

As a former member of the armed forces and long-time dependant of a retired army Sergeant Major, I am not into military bashing. In fact, I both recognize and respect the job our men and women in the armed services offer. This community is not only built on the military, but in many instances is built by the military. There are numerous local establishments exclusively owned and operated by those same military members transplanted here by Uncle Sam. Although you offer a fair representation of a disservice by noting the telephone company issue, please keep in mind that this is not military exclusive. Everyone faces the same “evil. I unabashedly disagree with the assertion that the military family is abused by this community, and honestly the comment comes off as a sort of “woe is me mentality. Are local promotions designed around the military? Yes, but that’s the community, and the strategy is simple Marketing 101.

While in Birmingham a few years ago, I paid a little over $4,000 to a career marketing firm to build a job in which my skills could best be utilized. The single most important aspect I gained from this firm is this: when seeking employment, remember that the network is equally as important as the qualifications. What I am saying is that who you know in business is equally as important as what you know, and for logical reasons. Would you hire a person whom you have known for years to be trustworthy and reliable, or would you prefer to toss the dice on someone you may have never met? The answer is obvious. As an outsider, the solution is simple; work to become a part of the community by building your network. I think you’ll be surprised at the options that arise out of your efforts!

tandshickey

Although I feel you are correct in many of your responses, the point you make of everyone facing the same evil is stretching it at best. Not too many people I know of call the Mideast unless you have a family member or friend serving in the military or contracting over there. I have had bills that reach over $500.00 so my children can speak to their father. I will pay that over and over again willingly for them. My issue is the phone company KNOWINGLY charging for a service that is not working correctly. The phone company also does not notify it's customers about the issue. I know that this has been going on since at least 2005. That is when I noticed it on my bill. For two years prior I had been calling the Mideast. When I bought this to the attention of the phone company they would only credit me six months worth of unconnected calls because they said it went too far back to be corrected. This was over a $2000 loss for me. They have been aware of this problem for years. How much money do you think they have made off it? Every month I still have to go and get the charges taken off my bill. I have never recieved an explanation although I try to get one. That led me to believe they do not want to correct the problem. It is robbery. Its beyond the woe is me mentality and goes into what is common decency.

On to employment in Hinesville. What you say is absolutely correct. Only if the people that are hired for GOVERNMENT jobs have the same or better qualifications then the person passed up. There are laws and guidelines in place, such as veterans preference, EO laws, and so on. I know through my networking (I am a very active member of the community) that these guidelines are not enforced when someone wants a buddy in that position. The job will get posted sure. You might even get interviewed, but that is how far it will go. Example: Friend of mine applied for a position on Ft. Stewart. This person has the highest level of education, years of experience, and Disabled Veterans Preference. The only thing beating that out is Spousal Preference. Well he was interviewed and never heard anything else (after he was told he would get a call or a letter informing of their choice). So I asked some friends of mine working in the same office. He never had a chance because that job was earmarked for a family member of someone already working on Fort Stewart. This was not a military spouse. She also had no experience and a lower level degree. You can put in a complaint which was done and there has been no response to that. This is only one example. I know of more. It is rampant on Fort Stewart, the City of Hinesville, and Liberty County. The school system enjoys the same practice.
When you lock up these jobs with the same families and backgrounds, you get the same old same old. No fresh blood, no new ideas, no change for the better.

Thank you for your response. Your opinion is appreciated.

Eyes,

The Georgia Public Service Commission would be a good point of contact in regards to your phone issue. Your reimbursement of six months tells me that the company may have recognized a wrong, but I am confused as to why they would not offer to correct the ENTIRE wrong.

The web address for the PSC is:

www.psc.state.ga.us/telecom.asp

Tom

Thank You Sir! I am going to the site now. I appreciate the tip!

EyesonHinesville,
Just read your comments on the professionalism of Hinesville. I appreciate your articulation, as I am so frustrated I have been unable to find the words. I have been here nearly 5 months now and still unable to find a job. I am prior military and apparently my 15+ years of customer service and management skills don't qualify me to even ask if you if you "wanna supAsize dat!" The overall social hospitality here is frightening...sure, occasionally I am leaving an establishment and get a thank you from the person I just held the door for...but most of the time, they shove past me like it was my duty to do so!!! I am from the North...you know, where everyone is supposedly crabby about being a bit chunky and in a hurry to get to their 9 to 5 prison. Well, where I come from, it is rare to encounter an experience at Wal-Mart in which you are going to purchase a mop, the price doesn't come up, and the cashier asks you to go retrieve another...seriously, r u kiddin me??? Again, thank you "Eyes"...I know I am a valuable individual...it is a shame customer service here is optional.
smlilly,
I have to agree with WhatsHotLips...It is obvious by your written comments you are already disgruntled. It's not our fault you are unhappy in your job. I never urinated on anyone, well on purpose anyway... You sound off at the military as the suspect in the situation...the only time I have seen a military member become anything less than polite or accomadating is when they are paying for a service and treated like crap!!! So, if you work on some of your customer service techniques you should see a great improvement in your interactions with the military members and dependents that give this town any chance of economic stability. And as for bowing down and kissing someone's feet...no military member OR spouse expects anything of the sort...but they deserve respect...whether you like it or not!!!!! ***Gratuity included***

I think we have come across part of the solution, by broadcasting the "good ole' boy" abuses. Just from my own experience I would suggest to all, find out "who is who" in this and surrounding counties. You will be surprised at the amount of relatives throughout that are in positions that impact all our lives. It is especially noticable in your local government positions, from county to county, and those contacts help get family in positions on Ft. Stewart. I would also like to add being a veteran I have traveled this world and in my life have NEVER seen as much disrespectful behavior in any place as I have here. It is not just in customer service, but government officials as well. It seems to be the fact that they have created their own little network and it has been "I will do as I please" for a very long time. Making all people aware, especially if they have to be here for awhile will eventually change the odds.

Lilly, where do the patrons try to pee on you? (KINKY!!!) Are you a stripper or something? By the way, I think that tandshickey is mostly right, leading me to believe that both Eyes and Lilly are right. Both the customer servant (and I do mean servant in the loosest way possible) and the customer are often jerks. ;O)