Bhushan
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Pak, Croatia top list of 'non-smiling' nations
MOSCOW: Croatia, Pakistan and Russia have topped a list of countries where people sitting behind shop and office counters have a surly attitude and find it difficult to smile.
Only 34% of shopowners and officials in Croatia and Pakistan smile at people, while Russia came second with 65%, a poll conducted by Nextep agency said.
Russia has many stereotypes of the "surly babushka" behind the counter, who scowl at potential customers. The agency asked shoppers to look for hints of happiness as they bought their daily bread across 14 countries, the report said.
Sweden offered the happiest shops, with 87% of staff flashing a grin, followed by Latvia with 86% and Estonia with 84%. "Russia's apparent misery is a reflection of working conditions, particularly in the hard-pressed tourism sector and fast-food restaurants," the report said.
MOSCOW: Croatia, Pakistan and Russia have topped a list of countries where people sitting behind shop and office counters have a surly attitude and find it difficult to smile.
Only 34% of shopowners and officials in Croatia and Pakistan smile at people, while Russia came second with 65%, a poll conducted by Nextep agency said.
Russia has many stereotypes of the "surly babushka" behind the counter, who scowl at potential customers. The agency asked shoppers to look for hints of happiness as they bought their daily bread across 14 countries, the report said.
Sweden offered the happiest shops, with 87% of staff flashing a grin, followed by Latvia with 86% and Estonia with 84%. "Russia's apparent misery is a reflection of working conditions, particularly in the hard-pressed tourism sector and fast-food restaurants," the report said.
