I never understood the stereotypes about DMVs until I came to this center on Smithfield. Yikes, are the employees rude, sarcastic, and miserable at their jobs. I moved to Pittsburgh from Ohio and needed to obtain my Pennsylvania license. After waiting 30 minutes to be called up, a morbidly portly "gentleman" (I use this term loosely) asked me if I had my passport? Social security card? Old drivers license? I politely responses "yes, sir" after each question, only to have him despicably respond: "I'm asking if you have these things so you can get them out and show me, not just sit here and tell me that you have them." Wow, I couldn't believe the uncalled-for, unfriendly attitude - all I had done was answer his questions as nicely as possible. After he filled out the paperwork, he handed all of my documents back to me and rang for the next customer (or "victim," more accurately). I was confused; didn't I need to get my photograph taken? I asked him what my next step was, and he told me I needed to obtain proof of insurance before he would assist me further. This was news to me - why wouldn't he tell me this before he called the next person in line? Did he assume that somehow I could read his mind? Still perplexed, I asked him if I needed to leave and make a phone call for the proof? Or was I dismissed? He raised his eyebrows and said, "this isn't the army, get out whenever you want."
Good lord, I have never been treated so poorly by a stranger in my life. I guess it was only a matter of time until I had a true, stereotypical DMV experience, but I'm surprised it happened in Pittsburgh and not other cities where I have lived, such as Washington, DC. Next time I need to renew my license, I'll be visiting the office in Bridgeville.