RM2 wrt 'the superficial stuff' you are correct. Passengers expect all the same conditions that any other full service air line offers. Emirates are trying to have it both ways, they want to be a low cost operator (Mr Clark described the airline this way at a recent forum of CEOs) that delivers large profits to the owners and deliver a full service international package. I don't think the two can meet because mediocrity breeds mediocrity.
The cabin crew know the standards they just don't care to apply them. The reasons are many and vaired but predominantly stem from poor management, the rule by fear ethos as well as the 'yes' mentality.
The 62 million different nationalities on the aircraft all have different expectations; western, eastern, middle eastern, poor, rich, educated, uneducated. Getting all those people on the same playsheet is near impossible.
That's why grooming is the superficial stuff, it doesn't cost and it's a quick fix. But it won't.