Confessional
Look, I've got a bit of an embarrassing confession to make and I thought I'd use the start of the New Year to clear my conscience. The truth is I don't think customer service in Hungary is at all bad. In fact, most of the time it's pretty good. Can't tell you what a weight has been lifted by admitting that. It's been eating at me for a while, because I do join in when the griping starts. It's hard not to. There are crappy people out there with crappy attitudes. But there are fewer than there use to be and generally, most people are either helpful or are victims of the same circumstances. Let me put it another way. Looking at comparative guides for Budapest and Prague, "Time Out" Budapest
Words for the day
- néni: means 'aunty', but used to describe a class of older women who generally dress in subfusc or black colors and have a terrifying reputation for getting what they want irrespective of who they have to knock off their feet to get it. I find the adoption of a southpaw stance the best form of defence.
- goromba/nyers ember: a brusque, rude or impolite person (slightly formal)
- kontroll: the ticket inspectors on public transport
