Customer Service from the State?

My wife was recently listening to the audio version of The Five Languages of Apology.

The authors were comparing two examples of customer service wherein the level of professionalism, treatment of the customer, and apologetic behavior for poor service made a big difference for the customer. The two institutions noted were the United States Postal Service and a bank. Correctly, my wife realized that the reason the bank employee treated the customer better is that the bank's ability to make money and stay in business depends on satisfying its customers!

To add to her thoughts:

The United States Postal Service, however, has the built-in advantage of having allies that will steal from you, imprison you, or kill you if refuse to pay to keep them in business!

That's right, working for the state means never having to say "I'm sorry."