Montenegro is moving steadily towards the European Union. There, we will encounter many opportunities, but also many disappointments. Whether we use these numerous opportunities or move from one disappointment to another depends solely on us. It depends on our abilities, or on our willingness to admit that, in areas where we are not capable, we need to seek help from elsewhere.
And we are not capable of many things. We lack sufficient skills. First, because we are a small market. Second, because there was no one to teach us. We have a problem with work ethic — which leads to problems with the quality of the goods we produce and the services we provide.
From the lack of a smile in hospitality, among hotel workers and waiters, to the lack of patience among doctors and other medical staff. We notice this when we step aside and see that things can be done differently.
Foreigners who came here also saw that things could be different, and after trying to teach us, they gave up and opened their own shops, cafés, beauty salons, workshops, and even construction companies. There, you can receive a significantly higher-quality and more reliable service. Or drink a better coffee.
Many people think that Montenegrins of all faiths and nationalities do not need anything better because they have not seen anything better. But that is changing. More and more of us are travelling and seeing that things can be done differently.
And it is not all because of us, but also because of those who come here and who should come again. Those whose money we live on.
Traffic jams, nervousness, rude behaviour. Services that are delayed. Just the other day, Igor Majer from Kotor wrote about his experience with an international company that was supposed to deliver something from abroad by express service. A well-known brand — in the Montenegrin way. Until he called, he had no idea what was happening. Then they asked, “Would it be possible by the end of the week?” because they were busy.
A lot of things are like that here. With exceptions, of course.
We wait not only in state institutions but also in private businesses. Everyone behaves in a similar way, with exceptions. They treat customers/clients like cattle. Because someone else treats them like cattle as well. And so, like oxen on a treadmill, we keep going around in circles.
We are the same in traffic. We park wherever we want. We drive recklessly fast and rudely. We do not stop at “Stop” signs. We do not give way to pedestrians at crossings.
All of this means that disciplined behaviour is punished. If you drive according to the rules, you are the one who suffers. If you wait in line or in a queue without pushing ahead, everyone will overtake you or cut in front of you. You are afraid to criticise or ask for better service because you may be met with an emotional reaction.
And so, Montenegro finds itself in a vicious circle that no political solution can fix. Good habits and good customs can. But there is no one to teach them. The leading religious community teaches us to endure, that all hardships are rewards, and that we should strive towards the other world.
The Academy of Sciences does not speak out on any social processes and rewards people according to nepotistic and clientelist principles rather than democratic ones. The same applies to the highest state awards.
Quality is not measured by standards of quality, but by the strength of personal and family connections and networks.
None of this will be solved by any activist with a phone, nor by EU membership. We can solve this only ourselves, only if we recognise that this is a critically important problem for the quality of life of all of us.
