Don't speak, I know just what you're saying

One of my constant everyday frustrations in my life here in Dubai is the overwhelming lack of listening skills present in the general population.
Now before you berate me for being too idealist, and saying that nobody anywhere cares what anyone else has to say... at least in other places (I'm being VERY general here) - people realize that its good business to at least PRETEND to care what your customer, client, whoever, is trying to say to you.
I know this doesn't apply to everyone of course. But its more prevalent here- at least I encounter it more- than any other place I have ever been.

Usually I am a pretty polite person. I don't like to hurt other people's feelings, I try not to say things I wouldn't want said to me- usually I think a kind smile and understanding will get you farther than losing your temper. However, sometimes Dubai pushes me a little too far and I get a little persnickety. Like when the salesmen at the electronics store keep interrupting you in the middle of your question. Especially when you know that the answer they are giving you is wrong- they either don't care to ask or just want to make the sale. Or when you have to repeat things 5 times to a rep from a leading company who is supposed to be professional- "As I told you last time we spoke..."

In my humble opinion, that's the reason the sales industry is so crappy here, and HR for that matter, no one listens. I heard a tale once from an mnc here where one of the top executives in a certain dept went to a sales meeting- at the end of which the client asked "don't you need to know more about me?"
Usually not a good sign.

I won't get started on the broader topic of customer service... like the people in the grocery check outs who sit and stare at you when the price scanner doesn't work and you want to shake them and yell "Well do something about it!"...
oh, right, I said I wouldn't go there

listening.
listening is good.
even if its self serving- I won't judge you. Pretend to care what people are saying. You'll get growled at a lot less.