...to wonder why some people treat sales assistants badly?

[98percentchocolate]

I've worked in retail for about 10 years off and on (through uni) and now work a couple of hours a week whilst I'm a SAHM.

I'm always polite and friendly, and most people are lovely, but occasionally I have some...memorable... Moments.

This week somebody threw something at my face because they tried to queue jump and I wouldn't serve them first. I was very nice about it and very apologetic but still had something thrown at me.

I've also been called "stupid" and "thick" (I'm really not), have had people refuse to speak to me AT ALL (happens very often actually), snatching, snapping...

I'm not alone either, it happens very often. I've seen people physically assault my colleagues before over the smallest things.

So really, I'm just wondering what sparks it? I'm sure nobody will actually admit to being somebody that would throw something at a sales assistant, but I'm just really interested in the psychology behind it.

My job specifically includes dealing with people's issues. These can be real issues that we can rectify or their perceived issues which is a lot harder but still doable. The one thing I can never get over is fully grown men and women bringing their children with them to shout and swear at the mostly quite young staff. I hate watching the children and spouses getting more and more uncomfortable and knowing that they'll grow up thinking that is how you speak to people when you have a problem. Drives me batshit!

Upselling/add-ons never used to be part of the job, though. In My Day, the job was to help customers find what they were looking for, suggest alternatives if we didn't have it (including referring to different, unrelated shops! ) and y'know, generally assist the customer making the purchases. Now it seems more like customers are viewed as cash cows, to be milked to the max.

This doesn't seem like an improvement, either for customers who are constantly harrassed, or for staff, who are under threat of losing their jobs. :(

I used to work for M&S and we had some charmers. The 2 women who fought over the last pot of cream on NYE and split it all over me ( I made them pay half each).

The lady who wanted a refund but insisted the manager must deal with it. Apparently the supervisor couldn't help her as "I live in Blackheath" we got her address in relation to the refund and she lived in bloody Charlton

I agree with Gloria that there are certain types of people who tend to behave this badly. I could spot them coming by the time I left.

I used to work for M&S and we had some charmers. The 2 women who fought over the last pot of cream on NYE and split it all over me ( I made them pay half each).

The lady who wanted a refund but insisted the manager must deal with it. Apparently the supervisor couldn't help her as "I live in Blackheath" we got her address in relation to the refund and she lived in bloody Charlton

I agree with Gloria that there are certain types of people who tend to behave this badly. I could spot them coming by the time I left.

Trent - that site is hilarious!

I've lost many hours to that site.

I love and hate this thread in equal.measure.

Love because as someone who's worked in retail in various guises for 20 years I'm enjoying the stories where the retail staff bite back.

Hating it because 20 years of the general public has worn me down. I'm an Optometrist now. So vaguely medical professional with a degree. But the way I've been treated by people because I work in a shop is astounding. People seem to think working in retail makes you their personal whipping boy. I'm always respectful of fellow retail staff. Treat people the way you wish to be treated.

My favourite fantasy is working post giant lottery win purely to tell all the rude wankers to fuck the fuck off. Pretty much the sole reason why I pay that lottery direct debit. Keeping the dream alive

i too used to work in retail (PT) and I too loved it.

It was a high-end boutique and the people were mostly fine. At that shop I served Halle Berry among other actors she was really sweet, her boyfriend was a dropkick.

Some of the very rich were real assholes. I'll never forget the one woman who walked around in a fur coat without acknowledging any of us. It was a powerful reminder that to some people, we don't exist.

Quite frankly IDGAF about whether you're pissed off or not as long as I keep my job, ta

How is that 'assisting' though? I think if you actually don't care about the customer at all and you think they should have to suck up being harassed and annoyed because they had the temerity to walk into your shop and try to buy something, you probably shouldn't be surprised if people are rude to you!

I've worked in retail for ages in different types of shop. I'm now working for a company who does the promotional set ups and basically any other job the big bosses think is too fiddly for their own staff!
I've been insulted by other staff AND customers. I get minimum wage and really, no one should be treated badly just for doing their job but I don't get paid enough to put up with rudeness!
I'm always polite so at least I know if anyone does decide to complain about me, the store knows I am the polite one.
Funny but many of the rude ones are the ones who probably sit on their bums all day, rake in the benefit money then drag their horrible children around the shops, shouting and swearing at them and letting them run riot.
Oh and it's not always the British ones....
Some people just get a thrill out of being rude. It makes them feel better about their own shitty little lives.

I don't take upselling personally. I understand that someone in WH Smiths has to offer me a bar of chocolate to go with my birthday card. Quite often they quietly apologise for doing it.

Once I picked up a nice but not particularly special card at random and got to the till and discovered it was £4.05. What genius at Smiths had the idea of not only charging an outrageous price but then bolting on that extra 5 pence?

The salesman rang it off for me and murmured: 'I agree with you. Most people just pay out of embarrassment but I wouldn't.'

So I do mind it when people approach shop workers as if they're pickpockets or judges. Especially if they work in Posh Shops.

I've read loads of chippy comments on here from people who've walked into Posh Shops and given the salesperson both barrels or simply timewasted and don't understand why the person leaves them to their tyre-kicking and concentrates on someone else who actually wants to buy something.

They're often backed up with people posting in support with their Pretty Woman fantasies about an eccentric millionaire scruffbag turning up at Jack Barclay wanting to buy brand new Rolls Royce for cash.

Yes, gits do exist in shops, but not as many as on the other side of the counter.

Mostly sales people just want to have a nice day, take your money and perhaps draw your attention to something else you might like. They may be on commission or they may just want to be helpful.

You are under no obligation to buy and they won't turn you upside down and give you a good shake until all the money falls out of your pockets.

5 years in retail management have shown me just about every unpleasant trait going. I can take it, I'm big and articulate and it takes a lot to upset me. But mess with my girls and you will find your card has been mysteriously stopped and that thing you really, really want that I know for certain is in stock in Birmingham? Sold out. Sad face.

The thing I hate most is the group of 3/4 40 something "girls" who've had a couple of "cheeky proseccs" in the Jl food hall that make it clear you're scum, throw everything around the fitting room, don't buy anything and complain on the way out they've been ignored and are going to complain to customer service.

To those I reserve my special curse that their central heating breaks down at 9pm on Christmas Eve. Wankers.

To those I reserve my special curse that their central heating breaks down at 9pm on Christmas Eve.

The oven would be better TSSDNCOP

I said DH worked for Harrods. As a management trainee he spent time in every department, including Complaints or Customer Services, that he was rather good at.

A famous 60s pop star ranted at him that the TV he'd bought for his daughter wasn't working.

DH assured him that a deliveryman in one of Harrods' famous green vans would be round to check it out.

It turned out that she'd switched the plug off at the wall.