How would you have dealt with this?

[Hellowwq]

Before I explain the situation just want to say my mental health is not great, I’m feeling better but I have had terrible depression so just bear in mind.

I took the kids to this health foods shop we always go past but never have gone into and I heard they have delicious handmade chocolates. I’m trying to be more present for my kids so thought this would be nice. I entered the store and it was empty it was a lady standing by the counter and I greeted her nicely and I said “hello, how are you?” She just grunted “fine”, didn’t even look my way. I didn’t think anything but just felt uneasy.

I walked to the counter where chocolates were and a different worker was there and I again greeted her politely and complimented how beautiful the chocolates look. Again same attitude. I ordered my chocolates and paid and I just feel they were so rude. They both had really sour faces and were just plain rude and hard to engage in any sort of polite conversation, I put my kids in the car and just felt really upset and I knew if I didn’t say anything I will just spiral so when I got home I called the store (out of kids earshot) and told her I wasn’t happy with the customer service I received and felt they were very rude (I have never done anything like this before! I usually just let things go and fester, That’s a reason I think for my depression as I don’t stand up for myself).

The woman responded “We were perfectly polite to you”. I told she wasn’t and I asked to speak to manager and was told manager won’t be in till end of the week. I’m glad I called even though it resolved nothing but made me feel better! Just for future in that moment what would you do? I wish I had just walked out but for my kids sake I didn’t.

I would have done nothing. It isn't great customer service but nothing really worth getting upset or complaining about. I just wouldn't go back.

Just to add sorry I forgot to - my 6 year old said hello to one of them too but was also ignored! I think that made me more upset, how can you ignore a child

Thank you. I just can’t help getting upset over it. I wish I could but it was so unnecessary, in my job no matter what crap I’ve dealt with I always greet clients politely and make small talk

I would have just thought ‘miserable sods, there’s no need for shitty attitudes’.
I worked in customer service for 15 years. The standards of service these days are pretty poor in many places, staff just don’t know how to greet, speak to, or engage with customers in a lot of places these days. I wouldn’t have bothered phoning though, although I do frequently leave feedback when I do get nice service, usually because it’s quite rare these days.

They don’t sound very friendly but let it go. They didn’t fail to serve you, they just weren’t as cheery as you’d like.

Perhaps they’d received some bad news and didn’t feel like turning on the charm.

I just wouldn’t ever give them any money; it’s a them thing, not a you thing. Don’t overthink it.

Vote with your feet. I would have left the shop and not gone back.

Don’t let it upset you though op. I saw something the other day, just try to remember
’it feels personal, but it’s not personal’
As a pp says, it’s more about them than you.

I’d never even consider following up something like this with a phone call, I simply wouldn’t go back there. It’s a bit crap but tbh not that unusual. Pick your battles OP!

I would have said something at the time, or kept schtum.
No point complaining after the event, when it's so minor.
It would have peed me off, if I'd got a sullen "Fine", but I wouldn't complain about it to a manager hours or days later.

I would have said something to the shop worker at the time but wouldn’t have been rude about it. It’s easier addressing situations at the time. My guess is the worker would’ve apologised and spoke to the child.

It was unfriendly of them, and it would not make me want to return. However, I don’t feel like this is particularly awful behaviour on their parts, and I don’t think it would have upset me and certainly wouldn’t have prompted me to call.

I would have just thought they hated their jobs.
I find people like you describe a bit amusing because it makes them seem a bit Kevin & Perry (old Harry Enfield comedy sketch), so it would have made me smile more.

They’re shop workers there to serve you, which they did. Not act Willy Wonker and provide an “ experience” for your kids.

I think you did absolutely the right thing OP, the only mistake you made, was in not asking for the manager when you called, as then you would have been told they weren't in, and could have called back, rather than speaking to the person who was rude to you in the first place. However, in saying that, perhaps it will make them think when a customer speaks to them in a friendly manner in future.

Interestingly, we had a similar experience recently, at a place that we pay for membership. No sooner did we get home than my DH wrote an email of complaint. He got a response by return asking for more details about the women involved, so that the management could look into it and speak to them about the way they approach the people that ultimately pay their wages.

I would be upset by this sort of service too (excessively I fear) but I would just stew on it and say nothing, because when I do say something in these situation I end up replaying it all and getting so stressed. So I find it best to say nothing

What are you hoping for by calling? If you speak to the manager, they may or may not be interested. I am in retail management, service expectations are extremely high in my type of retail. There are sometimes will be a disconnect in service levels from what customers enjoy. I find sometimes in smaller stores, which are quiet, that staff can be so keen to actually engage, it can be too much or if it’s ages since a sale, energy dips.
It was a bit mean to not acknowledge a child who speaks to you but I think you’re overthinking this.
Simply don’t return.

I wasn't expecting a full-blown performance, just a bit of warmth or engagement. Basic customer service of greeting your customers with a good afternoon/ hello doesn't mean acting like Willy Wonka, but it also doesn’t mean acting like a robot. You surely do understand the difference?

Retail like that is all about customer service. Else people shop online and supermarkets. I prob wouldn’t bother to call but good for you!

Not smiling and grunting 'fine' when asked how you are isn't great. But I wouldn't actually confront them on it. Surely anyone who is having a bad day would just deny they'd done anything wrong. Their mind was elsewhere.
So either contact head office after the time or if it's not a chain just not go there again.

I think you've been very kind and done them a favour in offering your feedback on your experience. When they go under, they'll know why now and wish they'd listened.

Now onwards and upwards for you, leave them in your rear view mirror 😀

If it was worth mentioning, you should've said it face to face.

I do hate it when people rush home to make complaints either on the phone or online.

But I would've let something this insignificant go.

It wasn't great service but it was basic service, in that you purchased what you went for and left.

Thank you. It’s a small family owned business, not a chain. I just feel more and more angry with how they spoke to me. The more I’m thinking of it the more it feels like they were looking down at me. It was a “posh” store if you were to describe it and I am quite overweight and not posh looking! I spent over £25 on literally a few chocolates so not exactly something I can do on a weekly basis it was like a treat for my kids. They could have just been a bit more friendlier.

I would have probably walked out. They shouldn’t get my money.

I have never done anything like this before! I usually just let things go and fester, That’s a reason I think for my depression as I don’t stand up for myself

But did the situation really need dealing with? They were unengaged with sour faces, and I know that stings sometimes.

But there would be no need for things to fester. I think it would be healthier to compartmentalise it as, "oh, I encountered a rude person" - you don't have to feel the effect of it, if you see what I mean? Nor do you have to see it as something to challenge or correct.

We'd be here a long time if we went around challenging every little thing we didn't like.