Good Evening Humble Readers...
This post has been percolating for a while, and I hope you will bear with me. I have ranted about some of these things before, but I need to revisit for the sake of my sanity.
You are probably aware that I work in retail. In general I love my job. I enjoy interacting with our customers, and I enjoy our staff. I know I gripe a fair bit about work, but really, there aren't many other jobs that I think I would enjoy as much.
But one of the things that I love about the job also makes me want to tear my hair out... the customers. I could go on and on about how the customer is NOT always right, and some of the loony things that I have experienced over the years, but that's not the point today.
Today I'm talking about manners...
Now, it may be because I am a large hobbit and I take up a fair bit of space, but I think everyone appreciates their personal space. So when meandering the aisles of my store, why do customers find it acceptable to push past me without saying 'excuse me'? Why do they think it's okay to practically knock me over (as happened two days ago, without so much as an apology) to get by? If they were to simply do the polite thing and let me know they are there, I would gladly get out of their way!
And when someone needs assistance and I am focused on tidying up a shelf, why don't they speak up, say 'excuse me' and ask for help? Why do they feel it's alright to either tap me on the shoulder & scare the bejeepers out of me, or just stand there staring at me until I get that creepy feeling of someone watching me? All they have to do is say 'excuse me' and I would be happy to help them.
Do not even get me started on the people who snap their fingers at me, or start our conversation with 'hey you'.
People who work in retail are not less intelligent than anyone else, and do not deserve to be treated with anything less than the same respect anyone hopes for in their work.
I will confess, the way I am treated by a customer is directly related with the quality of service I give them. I'm much more inclined to be go above and beyond for someone who treats me with dignity and respect.
My mom always taught me to treat others as I want to be treated. It's just good common sense.
Okay, rant over.
I'm sorry. I've been formulating the same post in my head, but just about people I encounter in general -- I thought that was just here in Hollywood (where usually the nicest people I meet are the store clerks...)
ReplyDeleteI think you work in a book store right?
ReplyDeletePeople really don't know their manners sometimes...they will step over you and walk on like one is pillar or inconveniently placed rock...
Maybe the store should put up four golden words:
'Sorry.
Thank You.
Please.
Excuse Me!'
Yeah, that is disgusting, if someone snaps their fingers or says 'hey you'. Were they raised in a barn? They are totally deserving of the service they receive in return I think!!
ReplyDeleteA little manners never hurt anyone.
Sorry for the lack of comments lately. But I am thinking of you!!
xxx
Sadly, manners and common courtesy seem to have gone out the window ages ago.
ReplyDeleteI must confess, i am occasionally one of those people who stands and waits for a worker to notice me ... I can be shy and I can't tell if they're busy and I'm interrupting. Although most of the time I will say "excuse me".
ReplyDeleteI used to work in an upscale women's clothing store, and man, I can tell stories of incredibly snotty women! But some of the worst customers I've had were when I worked at the snack bar of a movie theatre, where prices are REALLY high - and most customers treated us like it was OUR fault, and we set the prices. Sorry people! Get a clue!
I can tell you that it doesn't change no matter what kind of job you work at.... people are rude to me all the time because they think they can be since they see me as the "office help". Sorry you have to deal with it though.
ReplyDeleteHere here - well said that Hobbit ;)
ReplyDeleteOh that drives me nutty too. We're trying to teach the boys to have better manner, it's hard when so few people practice them. I'm sure I fail sometimes too.
ReplyDelete