I really think are dumbing down, the lowest common denominator is now an aspiration. Silly nonsense on social media isn't helping. Most people I know especially people under 40 would need an operation to get their phone out of their hand. All this knowledge and information available in a modern phone and people are stupider than ever. (the missus says stupider isn't a word) I was sent to the local hardware store to get a mop I had no idea where a mop would be so I asked a store assistant, a gulpin with his hands in his pockets where the mops were. He pointed to the far wall, with his leg, hands still in pockets and said they're over there.
I agree with the OP, people work in shops with no idea what they're doing or what you're trying to do. For example the motor factors I use is owned by two brothers in their 60's the place smells of gear oil and parts and accessories are everywhere. Ask for an oil filter and plugs for say a Ford Focus and one of them goes to the shelf and picks them out. Go into a modern motor factors or Halfords ask for anything and the ask for your chassis number. Now I don't drive a Ford but they're a popular car in Ireland and these robots can never remember where stuff is without a computer. Do they have so little interest in what they do that they cant immediately put their hand on an item that they sell dozens of each week?
Here's another major irritation. There's a chain of DIY stores in Ireland called Woodies. They sell Petrol lawnmowers, petrol strimmers, petrol pressure washers etc all under the G-Mach brand, a brand exclusive to woodies. They appear to be Chinese and they work for a while but what happens if they break down? Woodies don't carry any spare parts, the manufacturer doesn't supply spare parts to them so if it breaks down in 10 months or 11 months 3 weeks and 6 days you get a new one, no questions asked. After that you have to suck it up. FFS throwaway petrol power tools. Insanity in my opinion
