What is REALLY wrong with people?

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Today I went to our local supermarket to shop for a few things. I chose a shorter line.

I greeted the cashier. Did some packing of my things...

The woman actually thanked me for talking to her! She said I made her feel like a person and not a machine. I find this so very sad. That my short greeting and a few words made her so happy.

I grew up in NYC and have better manners than almost everyone up here. A few kind words go such a long way.

I hope all of us remember to say "Hello" and "Please" and "Thank you" to

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

It's not people. It's New York.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

It's not people. It's New York.

No it isn't!

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Lawren


I hope all of us remember to say "Hello" and "Please" and "Thank you" to

I usually do......Most times regardless of what I'm purchasing, I at least say a few friendly words to the cashier, sometimes more.

[jamstew Member Find all posts View Profile Close jamstew]

May be because I'm from the south, but here everybody talks to everybody

[Fern Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fern]

I generally smile and talk to people. My husband says I'd talk to the devil if he smiled at me, and he's probably right. If somebody makes eye contact I'll say hello if not something else.

I also like to compliment people when I see something they are wearing or something they have that I like. You know, like a nice shirt, or a beautifully decorated house. It only takes a short time to compliment somebody, and it usually lifts their day.

The other thing I do is this: I always, always tell brides I encounter how beautiful they look. I often pass a bride in a casino on the way to or from her ceremony, with or without their groom. All brides are beautiful on their wedding day, and I just want to voice it to them!

Fern

[JoAnn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoAnn]

I always say please and thank you when waited on...and I look at their name tags and use their name. They need to feel noticed too.
When I was at the cardiologist this past week I mentioned to the person who was taking down all my info that I wished everyone in the office wore name tags. After all they know my name, why do I have to say...hey you????? He thanked me (I know his name) and said he would put that in as a suggestion.

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

I almost always say hi and good bye, thank you, etc. It annoys me when the cashier at the grocery store can't be bothered to say anything to me except for the total for the bill.

However, with the poor economy, people seem to be more outgoing. Must be there is some customer satisfaction training going on. Has anyone else notice how friendly and helpful they are at Home Depot these days? (And I'm not being sarcastic.)

Sue

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

I almost always say hi and good bye, thank you, etc. It annoys me when the cashier at the grocery store can't be bothered to say anything to me except for the total for the bill.

However, with the poor economy, people seem to be more outgoing. Must be there is some customer satisfaction training going on. Has anyone else notice how friendly and helpful they are at Home Depot these days? (And I'm not being sarcastic.)

Sue

Funny you write this. DH is a BIG Home Depot person and he was remarking about this a few weeks ago. To paraphrase what he said, "it used to be no one would smile, speak or ask if they could help you. I think I could lie down in the floor and not one customer service agent would stop. Now, from the moment I enter I am approached all along the way by agents looking to help me."


Joy

[Icc5 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Icc5]

Graded

Most of the bigger companies these days have a forced customer service program and you get written up if you are observed not following certain requirements. I have been in the grocery business for the past 39 years and it used to be you were nice and helpful because you wanted to be and without customers you don't have a job. Now it is do it our way or you are gone. It is hard to be real today because the companies make you be fake.
Home Depo is one of the companies that has this requirement.
Bart

[BoardGirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BoardGirl]

May be because I'm from the south, but here everybody talks to everybody

Same in the midwest.

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

Most of the bigger companies these days have a forced customer service program and you get written up if you are observed not following certain requirements. I have been in the grocery business for the past 39 years and it used to be you were nice and helpful because you wanted to be and without customers you don't have a job. Now it is do it our way or you are gone. It is hard to be real today because the companies make you be fake.
Home Depo is one of the companies that has this requirement.
Bart

I'd rather someone fake it than stand there while the check out clerk is on their cell phone talking and ignoring the customer.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I'd rather someone fake it than stand there while the check out clerk is on their cell phone talking and ignoring the customer.

This is a MAJOR pet peeve of mine...how RUDE can u get!

I aways go out of my way to engage a check-out person in conversation - if they don't respond more then a word or two, I am okay with that.

But if they are talking on their phone, I don't respond (or pay) to them until they hang up.

[Icc5 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Icc5]

I agree 100%

I'd rather someone fake it than stand there while the check out clerk is on their cell phone talking and ignoring the customer.

I agree with you 100%. You are there to buy your items and get good customer service. Sometimes it is hard to give that good service when things are turned around. Sometimes the customer is on the cell phone and (like driving on a cell phone) doesn't realize everyone is waiting on them to finish the transaction.
Bart

[Bill4728 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Bill4728]

My son has worked in the grocery business for several years but only recently started checking.

He said that he always talks with the customers. Either "Hello, how is your day going?" or "Hello, So what are you having for dinner?" to when a man was buying 4 cases of beer " "Hello, Are you having a party? Can I come? I'm off at 10."

BTW, re the beer party. It turns out that the man was the dad of one of his friends and he was already invited to the party.