After 30 years in retail sales and service I am
feeling the need to address a all too common practice, here.

Regarding the treatment , badgering, bullying or
blistering judgement of those in the service industry.

waiters,carpet layers,lawn mowers, doctor's, cop's and deliver people all get paid to offer a
service and all of them at some point ,
probably even daily will make a mistake.

Sometimes its an small inconvenience, other times it's annoying and then on occasion it will actually cost something financially .

but I am wondering if , as often as we see complaints here on the forum,

If people realize that any exchange with others, weather they are providing a service or are just
sharing a movie lobby area is a two way street.

An Exchange means both parties choose to contribute .

I get the feeling that there are people in this country that think, because I am paying for the service ,
I do not have to offer common courtsey's , during the exchange.

I am here to tell you that The term's "please, thank You and you are Welcome"
are essential when ever you are encountering other's ,

and they are very inexpensive insurance that all will go much better between almost everyone involved.

Please consider being considerate of those choosing to serve others.

remember they are rarely just serving you on a given day , they may have had 7 customers in front of you and another dozen after you .

Please help them make their day go better.

treat better than the last customer did .

you get more with hot fudge than you do with kale

#bebendable

I try to treat people like I like to be treated.
If I get treated like crap, I can respond in kind if that’s the way the transaction is headed.

I’d rather it didn’t and would much rather everyone leave happy but some folks are beyond that.
And if I have to fork out $$$ for their mistake, I’m not going to be smiling.

Agreed. I (almost always) try to start off with things cordial and polite. On the giving and receiving end of service ( I work for the State of TN).

I did have a boss that once told me I can cease being polite and even leave the scene if needed once the other party starts cussing me. And I've had to do it about twice in 15 years.

Even at the house with the wife - some pleases and thankyous will go a long way !!

Being polite and friendly gets better treatment than being an ass, even if the wait staff is having a bad day you can be their bright spot.

I always treat people with respect and politely. I too am in the service industry to a smaller degree or different degree. But I've found that some of the population are just angry people and unhappy themselves and treat others poorly regardless of who it is and there's no changing them. I don't let it effect me, I just laugh at how miserable they are.

From a service man's perspective.......

I've been in the service industry (industrial hvac) both in the civilian world and USAF for a good many years.

Most folks aren't too comfortable with conditions leading up to my being called in, so they may be unhappy both before & sometimes even after my visit.

I don't place too much emphasis on their catering to my validation needs, I do this work to support my family. Though a grateful customer is nice sometimes.

I say yes ma'am to the 16 year old girl at the drive through window....I don't think this rant was directed at me

I've always said that everyone should work either retail or, food service; I think the asshole quotient would go down quite a bit.

I only worked retail for about 6-years, mainly through college, and short spells in-between other jobs. While there was a handful of asses, most people were fine. The asses, were just that, demanding, demeaning, insistent, dismissive and impatient. The wealthy asses were mainly aloof. The low-brow asses, were the bigger problems, they thought they could treat everyone like shit and be waited on hand n'foot.

do unto others..
don't didndu others...

My mother treats service people like peons even though she’s been in the service industry for all of her working career. I’ve tried talking to her about her behavior but she doesn’t seem to think she treats people poorly or as poorly as I see it. I generally treat people cordially, though I’ll admit to getting testy when faced with boneheads.

I have often said everyone should have at least one job dealing with serving the public. You will develop a whole new appreciation of what it entails. Most customers are great but some are jerks.

I was due for a little reminder. I'll just hang onto it for a while 'till I get better at it. Thank you bendable.

Back when I was dating, I went on a date with a lady and we arrived at a restaurant and it was extremely busy - the hostess was apologetic and doing her best, but my date was just berating her. I almost left on the spot, but decided not to cause more of a scene and just ended it as early as possible. No call back. I want nothing to do with people who treat others like that.

No need to be rude, especially when it's not the fault of the person who is helping you. Always treat people with respect and courtesy.

The Golden Rule.

quote:

Originally posted by roberth:
Being polite and friendly gets better treatment than being an ass, even if the wait staff is having a bad day you can be their bright spot.

I've done this on more than one occasion. It's amazing what this can do to make the service person's day turn around. I was actually the customer after a particularly rude customer at a hotel check-in, and I was able to make what would have been a terrible day for her quite a bit better with a few kind words and some jokes.

Being nice costs nothing, and pays high dividends. How someone treats those of "lower stature" is an accurate indication of their character.

Word!

I feel like I accomplished something as a parent. Both of my daughters are very polite, say please and thank you, help others in need, and almost always walk up to anyone in military attire and thank them for their service.

I find many becoming less civilized as I get older. Or too engrossed in their phone to even notice anything.

If not you end up like Leona Helmsley.

^ Dead?