The posher the shop, the grouchier the staff?

[LEMtheoriginal]

So last week we were shopping in fenwick - woman jad to be asked to serve DP by her manager who had been talking to her previously. Highly made up woman continues to inspect her nails begore grudgingly helping DP with hus purchase. I just said to DP "I'm going to walk away now" and walked off. DP felt an inconvenience.

Today we were in M&S which im not sure even qualifies as posh these days. Was queing to buy Dd's a couple of bras. There is an old lady struggling to complete her transaction (a younger man, her son? was helping her) telling her to swipe her card. No engagement from the dragon behind the till. Just stoney faced, rolling her eyes and waiting until the poor old dear had paid to offer a bag "well they're 5p" so little old lady now fiddling around for 5p. No smile no engagement from cashier.

Exactly the same with us - stoney faced, mechanical. Looking like the quintessential M&S dragon.

(Our local M&S food however has really nice friendly staff)

So twice in department type stores we have felt an inconvenience to staff.

We then popped into Wilkinsons for some bits. Young guy behing the till "hello, how are you?" Please thankyou have a nice day!

Bet he isnt paid as well as department store harridans who are clearly only working to fund their make up bills!

Also Katekat, your "superior attitude" will not ensure you good service. Staff are within their rights to refuse to serve you or there's lots of things they could do to subtly obstruct you. I was far more willing to help people who didn't treat me like shit under their shoe.

Your comment also suggests you treat anyone offering you a service like that, in any situation you consider yourself a customer. So you're that rude to your solicitor, your account and your beautician, are you?

Some terrible attitudes towards retail workers on this thread. I'm looking at YOU, Katekat...

There is NO shame in retail work, or in any minimum wage occupation. Worth remembering perhaps that the retail worker may well have a degree and a Masters - or they might not. Either way, earning more does not make you a better person.

Totally agree that high-street retailers need to offer a great experience for the shopper. Otherwise they will take their custom online.

I find that there are bith nice and rude staff in every type of shop. Some people are just nice...some are just rude. Some hate their jobs or have horrible managers etc. I don't judge a shop by a single staff member tbh.

Katekat I see you have an abhorrent attitude towards retail staff. Obviously never worked in retail, because it's clearly beneath you.
An amazing Sainsburys manager once told me that the customer has no right to shop in our store. They are invited to do so.

No wonder retail workers look pissed off sometimes if they have to deal with some of the snooty condescending people on this thread!

I really do hope their less than perfect people skills are due to being a bit short on grey matter

I have to say if you were trying something on or having stuff altered in an expensive designer shop then of course they are going to be all over you! They are rarely rushed off their feet and stressed like in other shops and frankly must be bored to tears and may get commission.

If I had the money to spend all the time in high end shops all that fawning would make me feel uncomfortable. Went in a designer shop once and was ignored. Went in later that day with bags from certain stores and got lots of smiles and ' how are you, have a lovely day!s' So obvious!
If you got really shitty service complain though. And remember to praise too. I've sent a compliment email to Next about a lovely sales assistant in one of their shops. I really think it's important for that to be recognised.