Underdog---
Yes, and a good thing you didn't mention about hand flying with vis at 800 metres, that would indeed open up a WHOLE new can of worms.
If we look objectively at ATC services worldwide, i'm sure we could agree that these said services are "generally" not bad at all, except of course with the aforementioned African and South American regions.
To all ATC guys and gals.....thanks for the help!