To think that gen Z is completely disengaged in service industry

[Hocuspoc]

...and to just stop hoping I will get any value for my money.
No offense, generalisation is never good, but just this last week:

• Clarks, shopping for toddler shoes, usually there is this older lady there who knows exactly what are the bestsellers, what works for little ones depending on age size etc... anyway - nowhere to be found, the floor is cover by two youngsters. Neither approached to help, on their phones, I had to chase the girl around to notice us (empty shop) so I can get DS foot measured. She measured him 2 sizes up (took us some time to establish that) but long story short - every answer is 'I don't know' and shrugs. Started explaining school shoes - I reminded her he is 2. Didn't know what is discounted, what is in stock, one can only dream of some initiative like trying a similar style to confirm a size and than order...

Anyway - completely clueless, borderline rude and no indication that she cares or sees herself working there longer than a month.

Then, the other day... Entering a train station, my usual platform closed, I asked the young bloke operating the gates about it - he was literally shocked he is being asked anything, looked like I woke him up from daydreaming. Also glancing at his phone.

I will stop here, but same everywhere. No cutlery pre-set or brought with your food, rolling eyes for asking for a coffee in a proper mug because it is to stay in, I can go on forever.

Just rudeness everywhere, no professionalism, no taking pride in your work, just abysmal...

I'm laughing at the comments from people who have clearly never worked in a shop or the service industry.

It can be bloody hard work and you have to deal with all sorts of crap and some really, really nasty people. It's not a job I would chose to do.

I’m impressed by this generation. They are thoughtful, concerned about the climate, a bit more backbone than we had and don’t seem to think it’s hilarious to get drunk and vomit in a gutter

i like to chat to them

plenty of moaning work shy people of any age.

Clarks has gone shit though

Clark’s is absolute shit and employs many terrible staff of a variety of ages. It’s number 1 on my list of shops I’m amazed are still trading.

Quoting you to amplify. I agree, I have no kids of my own and I really like having this lot around. They’re outward looking and playing the shitty end of the stick that we handed them well. Am delighted that they’re cocking their snoops at so many of our ridiculous rules.

The problem is businesses not being prepared to pay for service. They can’t recruit better staff who care more because why put in 200% more effort still to be paid minimum wage?
I find the service in these jobs is the same across all ages through, I was literally just served by the more sour faced 60 year old woman who said literally not a single word to me while scanning my shopping in the supermarket.

They’re hard work but not actually hard to do, if that makes sense. I worked in retail for 5 years in my 20s and I would have been sacked if I behaved like some of the people I see in shops today.

Hospitality I can’t comment on.

I would imagine the real problem is that it’s the beginning of the summer holidays and so many younger members of staff are on their first few days of work and don’t know what they are doing yet. I bought all my children’s shoes at Clarkes unless I was having a particularly lean month because they lasted longer and barring the ridiculous ones with a toy in the heal were better made.

Jeez I know, he was looking at his phone totally disengaged and alone, and when I approached him and asked him a question he was like - what who where am I, a platform is closed really?? Where, here? Oh wait

Look up the Gen Z ‘state’ ! Apparently that’s a thing, and explains why you can go and stand in a bar with several staff standing there who won’t speak 1st!
One of my younger staff explained it as ‘well how do we know you actually want anything or are ready to order?’ Whereas my ‘old’ take on the service industry is that they say something along the lines of ‘ what would you like? ‘ first to show that THEY are free to serve you. Or say hello to a customer to be friendly.
Some Gen Z think - that is intrusive to go up and speak first - allegedly- even if they are the staff and the customer is the customer.

Gen Z ‘stare’ that should have been!

I work with loads of 18-25 year olds in retail. The management use them as cannon fodder. They hire them, don’t train them past the bare minimum, then expect them to give great customer service. The start off enthusiastic but soon learn they are there to be taken advantage of and revert to not doing much. They are off sick a lot or knackered from going to bed at 4am but they have no loyalty to their company, only what they are earning. They’ll jump ship for 20p more and I don’t blame them.

Retail is now flooded with GenZ and overseas students who are studying at dodgy UK colleges. They are given ridiculous hours, and treated like a number. They’re hired because these don’t want people to stay, and cost the company benefits.

Remember that next time you look down on one of them. For me it’s the culture of work now. Companies treat you like a number, and are surprised when you don’t act like a member of Are You Being Served.

My only recent observation is three members of staff overseeing the self service tills in Tesco and no matter when Im in there they are always talking and never helping. Literally have to beg for help and then it’s all tutting and eye rolls.

Mind you it's not always that easy to get higher paid jobs. My DS has a friend, last year she got a first in a law degree. Currently working in an office ( broadly law based) full time for 22k.

I'm sure that's not much above minimum wage tbh. Still hunting for a better job

If someone had posted this about boomers everyone would be screaming “ageism” with their first breath. Funny how it never works when you’re punching down isn’t it.

I’m quite excited for my kids to get out working as I know they’re going to end up running the joint in some record amount of time, as they are bright, engaged and have a strong work-ethic already. It’s going to be so easy to stand out when 80% of your generation are operating like zombies.

Honestly, there are rude people from all generations - tbh, the most rude people I come across are 65+, but that doesn't mean I think all people that age are rude. 🫣

Gen Zs complaining about low wages or ‘boring’ jobs or whatever. Yeah we get it. Many, many of us grafted too in crappy entry level jobs or service industry jobs while studying or learning about life! We didn’t all wake up one day in well paid, professional jobs! We dealt with moaning customers, put up with shite from drunks in the bar, made the beds in hotel rooms, had the awful managers…

Good luck with that. Everyone thinks of their progeny as somehow better.

I just think customer service in this country is really dire. If someone can serve you and get away with not looking at you or speaking to you, they will. And definitely don’t expect a smile! It often is younger workers but not exclusively. But I do wonder how some people get these jobs, because I know there are competent and engaged young people out there desperately wanting a job and can’t get one.

Agreed. TBH I find more rude older folk than younger ones, but that doesn't mean I judge a whole generation.

Honestly, from this post I do wonder if you’re just sending out more ‘special’ entitled kids who think they should be CEO of Whitbread the second they get a job waiting tables!

I know what you mean! Total lack of task ownership. The only thing they live for is in their phones. Please do not disturb.

I recently had to repeat my coffee order five times to a teenager during the process of making it.

But also, the staff in my little Asda are all 40ish and ignore you and act like you're an inconvenience for going into their shop.

I think it's just people.

I worked in a service industry from ages 18-22 while studying. We didn't really have a choice but to be friendly and engaged as I was in a country where it was legal for most of your income to come from tips! You'd got the odd gormless thousand yard stare kid but they tended to get sacked quite swiftly if they didn't learn.

I honestly think some children aren't being taught to interact. I bumped into a neighbour with her 9/10 year old daughter, I addressed a few friendly words to the girl as you do and she just completely ignored me, and her mum said nothing to her. I'd have been pulled up for that if I'd done that at that age, not that I would have, because I'd been taught manners.

But it's obviously not everyone - my own nephews are friendly and engaged, and my friend's son had the demeanor of an efficient adult from his early teens. I think those that have somehow managed to acquire social skills will do well - they'll be very in demand.