Monday Manners: The Customer is Always Sometimes Right

I have this friend, Katie. Katie works downtown at a Rittenhouse Row Retailer (try saying that three times fast). In the last week, Katie has been called useless (by a little old man), and told to fuck off (by a little old lady.) This is really no way to treat the person who's trying to wrap your purchases in tissue paper or get your credit card information.

Which leads me to point number one: be nice to your cashiers, waiters, and concierges. Although you're the one with the credit card, they're the ones with the power. Treat them like shit, and don't be surprised if they spit in your soup, give you the wrong directions, or accidentally forget to put some of your purchases in your shopping bags. These people get paid minimum wage (or slightly higher) to do nothing but cater to people like you. The least you could do is show them some appreciation. Most of these people are nice, decent, respectable human beings, who are only trying to make a buck, same as you or me. Most of them.

Which leads me to point the second: if you are a cashier/waiter/concierge/etc., you should remember what you're getting paid for and be nice to your customers. Sure, a lot of them are real douchebags. But remember, they can get you fired before you can even finish your cigarette break. It's tempting to be rude to customers if they're rude back. But that's really a job for your manager, who can't really get fired for telling things like they are. Believe me, I know how hard it is to deal with these people yelling at you day in and day out. But it's much harder to have to explain how you got fired from your last job.

Of course, it's even easier to get fired from your last job if you're unnecessarily rude to your customers. There are certain retailers and restaurants where you can expect a little bit of snobbery from the staff -- but they are the employees and you are the customer, so if they're haughty to the point of being rude or unhelpful, then it might be worth talking to the manager. This can be avoided, however, if said employees remember what they're getting paid for and help their customers, even a little bit.

All told, buyers, please be nice to the people who are helping you with your purchases. People who are helping with purchases: would it kill you to smile a little more?

Next week: a friend in need...

Image Credit: Canada Post