This actually sounds like China before the privatization of the service industry in the 90s, and I suspect it's similar in other communist countries. Back then

This actually sounds like China before the privatization of the service industry in the 90s, and I suspect it's similar in other communist countries. Back then store clerks were paid government wages with benefits, and most of time they would ignore customers even after you called them out. As a kid, I once went alone to buy an imported Gundam action figure with my savings and they made snide comments about my family being ostentatious. Now-a-days in private establishments they go to ridiculous lengths to provide good services, it's almost surreal. Once in a restaurant my cousin found a tiny caterpillar on a vegetable dish (hey, no pesticide!) and the manager came out to apologize and offered the meal for three free of charge.