[dguaraglia]

True story: first time I'm at San Jose Diridon waiting for the Caltrain to SF, I notice the platform specified in the ticket was closed. I go to the counter, and the guy there tells me to "go through that door, walk to the left, the train should depart from that platform".

I follow his instructions and can't find the platform, so I come back and ask him (very politely) "Hmm, I couldn't find the platform, was it through that door there?". His answer? He looks at me as if I had pissed on his lunch and asks "Sir, are you asking me a question, or questioning my reply?".

WTF? What had I done to piss him off? I'm obviously new to the place, I've asked similar questions in countless train stations/airports/bus stations around the world and never ever has anyone treated me like that. All I told him was "I was asking for confirmation, but thank you, I'll go ask someone else."

[tjic]

Don't judge the US by our government workers, please.

We can't stand them either.

[maratd]

They're victims of circumstance. They would be wonderful people, if only they had normal jobs.

It's the government's fault. It makes them into that.