“Service With A Snarl”

I just thought this was amusing given my recent trip back home and my encounters of varying levels of New York Surliness with my beloved crotchety locals.

Forget “Have a nice day”, it’s service with a snarl that most travellers have come to expect at US airports. But, as increased security measures and a reputation for rude immigration officials are becoming a turn-off for international visitors, New York City has gone on a charm offensive to win them back.

“Customs form!” barks the official at the passport desk. It’s a shame that in the week that New York City launches its friendly, new tourism campaign I have the misfortune to encounter one of the city’s “bad apples”, as Mayor Bloomberg calls them.

“Terribly sorry, I didn’t, er, realise I need a customs form,” I reply, inexplicably adopting the tone of a female Hugh Grant. The passport grunt seems too disgusted to even look at me. She just rolls her eyes and violently points to where I can pick one up (and rejoin the ever-expanding queue).

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Published:
9.7.07 / 12pm
Category:
what i call life, travel, culture