To think that shop staff...

[Justme23]

Should have basic manners?

Am I getting old now I recognise this as a reason to get remotely peeved?

Just nipped out in my lunch hour to get a sandwich and some bits and only one staff person actually maintained eye contact and said please and thank you!

The girl at WHSmiths was looking out of the window, face like a slapped behind, scanned the items and then barked £12.50 at me, didn't even offer a bag! And acted the same to the three customers before me.

Is this just accepted behaviour now?

YANBU.

But the same should apply to customers. I'm always surprised at how few people realise retail staff are human beings.

I know what you mean. A woman in Co-op was standing chatting and drinking coffee behind her till with a queue of 7 people waiting to be served. When her manager noticed and asked her if she was on a break she said no but she was sick of drinking cold coffee. She was most put out at having to do her job and was really rude to the lady in front of me who asked for cigs.

YANBU I think the level of customer service is shocking.

I also agree with someone in that it applies to customers too. I find it really rude when a customer continues to chat on their mobile when the shop assistant is serving them.

YANBU

But everyone should have basic manners.

YANBU

Some shops seem to have got better, to me - M&S, for instance is making much more effort, but there's no excuse for not saying hello or talking to a colleague whilst serving.

Mind you, customers can be rude bastards - talking on mobiles, no please/thankyou - and that's the mild end of the scale.

But good service starts good reactions from people - I saw that from the Olympic volunteers.

I agree, though have visited Sports Direct and Primark today and been shocked to the core at the exemplary customer service in both. The assistants were brilliant, smiley and friendly... I left totally gobsmacked!

If a customer is being out of order to staff I will generally stick up for them.

In tescos last week a lovely girl was serving me and we were having a nice chat over the packing when her manager storms over and ;

M: It's your day off Friday isn't it?
G: yes...(suspicious tone)... Why?
M: I'm putting you in for over time.
G: I really can't that day, I have plans.
M: well what are they..?

At this point I piped up and told manager that A. This was not a conversation appropriate for the shop floor especially not in front of a customer and that B. if a staff member declines the offer of overtime then the manager has no right to question them on their reasons or intimidate them into accepting it.

The girl was relived and said manager went red and tried to apologise to her and I before saying she could have a break in five and shuffling off.

So I am fair.

Primark assistants are always nice (ime anyway.)

I had a right snooty bitch in Boots before. If I'd written it on here everyone would have said "YABU - what's your problem" as what she said was perfectly polite but the tone it was delivered in and the way she was looking at me - honestly, she was SO rude!

AllOverIt

Yes! my local SportsDirect has had all its staff abducted by aliens and returned as friendly smilers. And no misogynistic Rap being played either.

The cashiers in Dunnes in Belfast really take the biscuit. They only interrupt their gossiping to shout "NEXXXXXT!" down the queue, then pick up their conversation again whilst scanning your items before briefly pausing to tell you the total. Grinds my gears.

But customers can be rotten as well. I always tried to be nice and cheery when I was customer facing but there's just some people there's no craic with whatever you do.

justme23 - that's just fucking fantastic!!

can't stand people who get a managers role and then go on a power trip!!

I do think the attitude filters down from head office, through the managers and onto the shop floor. Some shop assistants are badly managed and badly treated and they then take this out on the customer.

Dizzylizzi It felt good, he looked about twelve too.

I have on more than one occasion asked a manager to find something just for the look of pure horror as he desperately searches for another (lower life form) staff member to pass me off to.

I have to say though I find the enforced 'friendliness' more wearing than sulkiness.

PLEASE don't comment on the colour of the bra I am buying, ask if I found everything I was looking for or try to make me buy cheap chocolate!

Boots and WHS have decided not to pay some of their staff - some get paid, some get nothing.

Not surprised they are pissed off, but I would expect a store to ensure good customer service by taking better care of the staff.

i really hope you aren't just using the terms LD and SN to insult the staff of these shops.

justme23 - I think my sil would like you to stick up for her, and millions of other badly treated shop staff too.

My sil has beautiful manners, and as worra says, everyone, not just shop assistants, should have basic manners.

Jumping, are you making a ridiculous implication that autistic people are incapable of good manners???

My local coop employs 2 clearly autistic gentlemen and their manners are impeccable.

If you punch them in the face relaly hard they soon get learned

The problem is not enough customers compliment or complain.

If you've had crap service find a manager and tell them, if the person serving you has improved your day then grab a manager and tell them!

Just not in McDonald's. Apparently asking a server if he could read (honestly though, chicken salad caesar is hardly shakespeare) is being racist to the 18 year old who can't even manage to do his buttons up without missing one...

Asking him if he could read is not racist, just rude and patronising

Justme - yes, that was rude and patronising, I'm afraid.

Poundland staff in Wigan Robin Park are the worst. Both young and old are miserable snotty ignorant bastards.

TheCrackFox - yes, you are right