20 October 2011

Calwell... Land of the jerk?

| noodle88
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I have recently started shopping at the Calwell shopping centre, and at the beginning it seemed nice enough but after a few weeks I can’t help but notice a lot of the people who work there are so rude. And not just the normal amount of rudeness, and not just towards me, they seem to hate everyone. I’m talking several different shops. I know we all have our ‘moments’ but surely everyday is pushing it? It’s like some kind of jerk magnet, if you will…

So my question is this, has anyone else had similar experiences at Calwell? I’m hoping I’m not the only one who has noticed…

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We ventured into the deep south for a trivia night at the calwell club the other night, that place is a rat hole. At the end of evening we made sure we secured our valuables and made a mad and terrifying dash to our car that was parked near the tavern – never again.

the previous posts piqued my curiosity so I googled for Calwell shops – and even google do not recommend visiting their website (2 attacks past 3 months)…

madamcholet said :

allyroger said :

madamcholet said :

There are things called “withholding periods” which means that a chemical cannot be sprayed onto produce within a certain timeframe of being plucked form the ground and sold. Fruit and veggies sold in the commercial sector gets tested – this is the law). It means that if residues of chemicals which are systemic and not just on the outside of the fruit or veg, then the whole thing can be traced back to the producer and infact where tehy bought the chemical. Not sure that stuff sold at farmers markets is subjected to these tests – just sayin’

Er, most of the producers at the Farmers markets advertise no pesticides and completely organic. Its not even close to compare Woolies. Some of that “produce” can be in the supermarket system for months before being trotted out to you. And completely agree with all the comments about Calwell, you can apply them to the Hyperdome too.

There are non-synthetic products i.e. chemicals that already exists in nature that can be used on your produce that are considered ok by organic bodies – such as pyrethrin. There is also a higher risk of salmonella or similar bacteria due to the use of organic fertilisers…

I’m not anti organic – far from it as I buy organic meat just because I think it tastes better, but I am under no illusion that it is “better” than any other produce. What I think matters is that people understand the parameters of organic farming.

The organic industry is notoriously unregulated. I recall having a conversation with the owner of an organic produce shop in Canberra and she had no idea that organic producers can use chemicals. Just called them “nasty chemicals”.

I personally don’t care if it is organic or not. I buy at the Farmers Market because the stuff is fresh and tastes better than anything I ever had from the Fyshwick Markets or a supermarket. As an added bonus, the stall holders are friendly and, as many of them eat their own product, they are always happy to swap cooking tips and ideas (provided they are not flat out of course).Many of them also take orders adn I have a few of them that I get the same things from every week adn they have them all sorted and ready for me to pick up eg. ten kilos of mixed apples every week (I buy for 4 families)

You never get service like that anywhere else.

allyroger said :

madamcholet said :

There are things called “withholding periods” which means that a chemical cannot be sprayed onto produce within a certain timeframe of being plucked form the ground and sold. Fruit and veggies sold in the commercial sector gets tested – this is the law). It means that if residues of chemicals which are systemic and not just on the outside of the fruit or veg, then the whole thing can be traced back to the producer and infact where tehy bought the chemical. Not sure that stuff sold at farmers markets is subjected to these tests – just sayin’

Er, most of the producers at the Farmers markets advertise no pesticides and completely organic. Its not even close to compare Woolies. Some of that “produce” can be in the supermarket system for months before being trotted out to you. And completely agree with all the comments about Calwell, you can apply them to the Hyperdome too.

There are non-synthetic products i.e. chemicals that already exists in nature that can be used on your produce that are considered ok by organic bodies – such as pyrethrin. There is also a higher risk of salmonella or similar bacteria due to the use of organic fertilisers…

I’m not anti organic – far from it as I buy organic meat just because I think it tastes better, but I am under no illusion that it is “better” than any other produce. What I think matters is that people understand the parameters of organic farming.

The organic industry is notoriously unregulated. I recall having a conversation with the owner of an organic produce shop in Canberra and she had no idea that organic producers can use chemicals. Just called them “nasty chemicals”.

Had many problems with woolies there, bunch of the rudest, most unhelpful and “no idea how to manage” people I have ever met – so steer away from there. Don’t go near the open coffee shop or the newsagency. Be careful when going into the bank that you don’t interupt a conversation between the tellers.
Having said that, the Tobacconist, butcher, patto’s grog shop, take-away, Chinese restaurant and video shop have always been able to provide something called customer service.

madamcholet said :

There are things called “withholding periods” which means that a chemical cannot be sprayed onto produce within a certain timeframe of being plucked form the ground and sold. Fruit and veggies sold in the commercial sector gets tested – this is the law). It means that if residues of chemicals which are systemic and not just on the outside of the fruit or veg, then the whole thing can be traced back to the producer and infact where tehy bought the chemical. Not sure that stuff sold at farmers markets is subjected to these tests – just sayin’

Er, most of the producers at the Farmers markets advertise no pesticides and completely organic. Its not even close to compare Woolies. Some of that “produce” can be in the supermarket system for months before being trotted out to you. And completely agree with all the comments about Calwell, you can apply them to the Hyperdome too.

There are things called “withholding periods” which means that a chemical cannot be sprayed onto produce within a certain timeframe of being plucked form the ground and sold. Fruit and veggies sold in the commercial sector gets tested – this is the law). It means that if residues of chemicals which are systemic and not just on the outside of the fruit or veg, then the whole thing can be traced back to the producer and infact where tehy bought the chemical. Not sure that stuff sold at farmers markets is subjected to these tests – just sayin’

madamcholet said :

Fyshwick markets undoubtedly sells better looking produce than any Woolies. Never sure about Farmers Markets and the provenance of the food…having looked at their requirements to get a stall, it doesn’t really go into food safety – as far as I can see. Just cos the person selling grew it, doesn’t mean it’s any better…infact we knoe less about it. Could have sprayed it the day before they sell it.

Food safety? Its fresh food…… Do you not wash your fruit & vegies before you eat it? Do you really believe a carrot grown “organically” is different to one that is not (apart from the price)?

The farmers markets crap all over Woollies & Fyshwick for quality & freshness.

Maybe people have become too used to black spot on their cualiflower to know the difference.

Fyshwick markets undoubtedly sells better looking produce than any Woolies. Never sure about Farmers Markets and the provenance of the food…having looked at their requirements to get a stall, it doesn’t really go into food safety – as far as I can see. Just cos the person selling grew it, doesn’t mean it’s any better…infact we knoe less about it. Could have sprayed it the day before they sell it.

madamcholet said :

I too go to Lanyon for a better experience, and Fyshwick markets at the weekend for fresh stuff.

Fresh food at Fyshwick Markets??? Most of it is the same crap as everywhere else from the markets in Sydney, with the notable exception of the places that make fresh food on site. I only go there for Plonk these days.

I highly recommend getting up on a Saturday or Sunday morning and going to the farmers markets at Epic (sat) or Woden (sun), then you will experience properly fresh food and the people are so much friendlier.

I too go to Lanyon for a better experience, and Fyshwick markets at the weekend for fresh stuff.

I do wonder about the centre management at Calwell – seem hell bent on expanding and building properties in the immediate vicinity, but that centre is crumbling and desperately needs maintenance. When we have downpours it rains inside and there are buckets everywhere.

The tobacconist is a great bloke – he may not be your typical counter checkout chick be he’s good for a laugh if you get talking to him. The only place where I get regular rudeness when I visit Calwell is the fish ‘n chip shop. Most other places seem reasonable.

Perhaps part of the problem might be on your end? Do you walk around looking surly and grumpy and be curt with everyone and still expect a friendly little fiddle at the conclusion of each transaction?

I worked in that centre all through high school and uni, so I can relate to much of this. Somewhat. There are certain reasons that come to mind that could explain at least some this business, but I fear they would be considered defamatory and must keep them to myself.

All I can say is to consider giving the people there a break. Many (not all) of the people who walk through the doors there have a certain attitude when it comes to dealing with what I’m assuming they consider the “working class,” and it can become quite difficult to maintain a bright courteous attitude after being treated with such little respect for even a small amount of time. This goes double for most of the local business owners there, as they are brow-beaten from both sides, so to speak (without being any more defamative). Over time it can be difficult to be nice to people when you realise that you receive exactly the same reaction if you’re simply cold and indifferent.

Just remember that you may be on your way home from work, but the people working in retail/service positions (and I’m not just talking about Calwell Shops here) are still trying to do their jobs, so please treat them with some level of courtesy. I am certain that you would not appreciate the same treatment from a bunch of strangers while you were at work.

I’m not attempting to explain all of what happens there, as I also share many of the opinions of the previous posters, I just happen to believe that Calwell is unique, as is mostly used as a pit stop on the way home from work. This is reflected in the attitudes of many of the people who shop there, and mirrored by many of the people who work there.

On a side note, it’s great to see Kimmy getting some props, he is one of the hardest working people I have ever met. Most people only see him working at night, but until recently he also used to clean the floors and manage the dock areas in the early morning as well.

I live in Calwell (sigh) and I do most of my shopping at Lanyon. The shops are better and the people are somewhat less scary.

Tobacconist is rarely good for a smile from the owner, but it is just his dry personality. He’s actually a nice bloke most days. His empolyees are always happy and friendly.

I have made five different visits to the takeaway over the past five years. My last attempt at eating their food was over two years ago. On the first two occasions I could not get my food … after ordering twice! I drive over to Chisholm to get food instead. The other three occasions where I could get food resulted in myself or family members getting food poisoning. Chisholm and Isabella Plains take aways get all of my business now – and I’m a big fat bastard who loves his food!

Butchery … the boys that work there are awlays dirty, but most of all just plain creepy! They spend most of their day leering at women as they walk past. My wife and 14 year old daughter will not go near the Calwell Centre. And I do not trust their meat one bit.

Woolies – mostly pretty good. There is a Korean fella named Kim who works in their fruit and veg section. Easily one of the nicest, friendliest and helpful people I have ever met. And ALWAYS has a smile for people. Woolies really need to do something about moving those trollies – they create a massive blockage in the middle of the shopping centre. The folks in their liquor store seem to have had personality bypasses or something … all that alcohol and not a smile in site.

The staff at the bakery and the grog shop are awesome.

Yep – overall I think we can call Calwell the land of the jerk. And that is coming from an Isabella Plains resident LOL.

I live in Calwell, (for my sins), and frequent most shops in the Calwell centre. Can’t say I have noticed rudeness, but I know that there are a few outlets where you don’t get the best service. The cigarette place is not great for smiles and neither is the chicken takeaway place, but other than that mostly ok. I had a bad experience all round in the new doctors surgery a few weeks ago – to the point I won’t go back, but again, not rude. Bad experience also in the hairdressers, but should have known better!

I try not to have to get money from the St. George teller as it’s either almost always out of service or looks like it had a rough night at the tavern…quite a health hazard I think!

The whole place could do with and I understand is getting an overhaul.

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