Dominica: where customer service comes first
Today, I needed some pain killers. For a change I tried a chemist I don't usually frequent because it has all the air of a Soviet-era supermarket - long rows of half-empty shelves of pretty much the same thing. But strangely enough, it does specialise in cooking oil - massive quantities of it - and standing fans. Let's call it The Old (Bonnie Prince) Charlie Pharmacy. As usual, there seems to be more assistants than customers. One comes up to me, and I begin to say that I'm looking for pain-killers, only to realise I'm right next to a shelf of them. A long row, with 4 shelves, all edged with 3 brands of paracetamol. "I'm actually looking for Aspirin," I say, and she directs me over to where prescriptions are fulfilled. The desk however is empty. "Hello?" I ask, and shortly a woman comes out. "I'd like some Aspirin", I say, and she asks what strength? What do you have? Well what do you want, she replies? Hmm, how about 200mg? ...