Inclusive of our hotel accommodation are 2x free boat tickets for the Seine River Cruise. Bru and I have been to Paris several times but we’ve never done the cruise. However, for these free tickets we can only use the company (Bateaux Parisien) that is located at the foot of the Eiffel Tower (this is the one across the bridge from the Metro).
When you have travelled a lot and have been to the same places several times, you tend to develop this allergic reaction to overly ‘touristy’ sights such as the Eiffel Tower. I personally did not want to set foot at this area. I do not want to squeeze myself between the crowds. Travel snob? Maybe, but who the heck cares anyway. Sadly, we have no choice. We really want to try the cruise thing and its free. I like free stuff.
We also didn’t realise that the boat was big. In fact the cruise tour is one big tourist trap. There is nothing new that we saw during the cruise. The River Seine is wide. Very wide and impersonal.
Moreover, the French cruise tour guide was downright crass. He is a perfect example of hideous customer service. Adding more insult to the ailing French customer service reputation.
Bru and I sat in front of the boat because we want to have the best views. When we were approaching the most beautiful bridge of Paris—Pont Alexandre III, we both stood up and went to the forefront of the ship to take pictures. Of course we didn’t have plans to stand there for a long time, we just want to snap pictures of the bridge and then go back to our seats. However, this swaggering boat tour guide lectured us that we cannot stand there because we are blocking the view of the other passengers.
OK fine. Sorry! We retreated back to our seats right away.
After a few minutes one of the stewards stationed himself at the same spot selling cold drinks. He stood there for a long time causing major traffic along our path and blocking the view as well. Bru naturally complained.
The French cruise tour guide said that the steward has essentially the right to stand there because he is selling drinks.
Bru obviously got annoyed. ‘Why can he stand there and block the view when you earlier told us to move away? This is not fair!’
Arrogant French boat tour guide, ‘He is doing his job so he has the right to stand there.’
And Bru retorted, ‘While we the customer do not have the right? Why can’t he just move?’
The steward selling drinks noticed the tension so he asked what’s going on, and I think he was ready to move away but the arrogant French bastard told him in French to stay put and further described the incident to him while belittling us. He was sneering at us. This man is laughing at us? Bad move.
‘I speak French so I understand what you are saying.’ Bru snapped out, of course in French.
Arrogant French boat tour guide was somewhat caught off guard with Bru responding in French, but he couldn’t care less and responded along the—‘So what…’ line, in French as well.
At this point, I was pretty much gobsmacked watching the two exchanged confrontations. I didn’t know what to do? Should I play referee or join in the fight? My goodness, haha.
Anyhow, I am a bit perplexed—How could this tour guide behave so offputtingly?
As a sales person by profession I have been dealing with all sorts of customers for as long as I can remember. I am one of those that do not believe in the ‘Customer is always right’ statement, however, I believe in this: ‘Treat your customers always right’.
This arrogant French boat tour guide does not have an ounce of customer service running in his veins. The only consolation I can credit him is that he speaks many languages. Other than that he is a shame.
Travel Period: August 2012
Destination: Paris, France
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