Closing Time

We were at the SM North EDSA Mall tonight when it closed shop for the day.  We were at the hardware department looking for items for the house when it was announced that it's closing time.  We were given 15 minutes to finish our transaction but some of the employees started closing the display cabinets and some lights were already dimmed.

While waiting in line to pay for our items, my attention was caught by what was being announced through the PA System.  It goes something like this:

"Fellow employees, let us thank God for another day at work.  The management congratulates you for a job well done.  You have served our customers well. We hope you will do the same tomorrow ."  

I was surprised by this since it was the first time I heard it.  I've been at the the mall across the street during closing time but I never heard anything like that being said.  I don't know whether this is the mall's management's way of encouraging their employees to serve their customers well.  To me though, it sounded a bit Orwellian.

It reminded me of  Orwell's 1984 where big brother reminds the citizens of their service to the State.  It also sounded like that documentary I saw about Communist China where at certain times of the day, the workers were given a lecture on servitude.

As we finished paying for the goods we bought, the lady announcer asked their employees to remain in their posts and enjoined everyone to remember the Mall's Vision for Customer Service.  She then proceeded to recite it for everyone to hear.  After doing so, she then gave the names of the workers who have shown exemplary customer service during the day, 

I looked at the employees and instead of enthusiasm, I saw impatience in their faces.  It's almost 10 in the evening and obviously, everybody wanted to go home already.  If only they could make that woman announcer stop...