Community Chat

[CalminHeart]

I've always been an optimist. Not anymore. The last four years, particularly 2020, proved to me that people cannot be trusted.

I worked in Customer Service of a grocery store for a few years after I retired. I understand why anyone in retail might have a bad day. You would be shocked at what customers demand. Imagine ....

• people paying with sweat-soaked money and checks pulled out of their bras and underpants
• customers intentionally coughing on you
• racist comments
• people trying to return cans/bottles with urine, leftover drugs, feces, and who knows what in them
• customers telling other customers not to buy something because Dr Oz said it's bad for them
• reactions when refusing to sell alcohol to drunk people
• finding bullets that fell out of someone's pockets
• sexual harassment, sexist comments
• seeing kids and animals locked in cars when it's 100 degrees and when it's 20 degrees below zero
• people expecting discounts just because they are there
• customers leaving feces all over the restroom floor
• customers stealing
• getting hit or slapped by a customer 
• customers throwing food at you

This is the tip of the iceberg.

[Nancy Drew]

This topic is so broad and involves so many factors. It is not just rude customers. It's people trying to keep their mental health, physical health, their businesses, their personal freedoms , their children's education all afloat during a world wide pandemic. Everyone is stressed no mater what side of the coin you are on. I know customers, patients, clients can be annoying verging on abusive. So can medical personnel, customer service workers and employees. My personal experience at Zaxbys was they were short handed and stayed calm while the customers were polite while it took longer than usual. No problems at all. It can be done.

[Imaoldhippie]

The public has been like that since forever.  There is just more of them today.

[software]

My DD has always had a job dealing with the public so I get her side of the story & it gives me a good perspective.

But this is my 2 cents.    I don't work for McDonalds or Walmart or fill-in-the-blank.   I can't be expected to keep up with all the new rules, particularly when it changes from week to week.   I don't get ugly about it but I know the employees get annoyed with my deer-in-the-headlights look.   For example yesterday, I went to get an oil change, 4 hour wait and they don't take appointments.   I was stunned.  Then I moved on.  I didn't berate the service writer, it's not her fault.

No employee should have to put up with rude customers but they need to cut us some slack.

[Teddixat]

@Imaoldhippie   Truer words have never been spoken

[reiki604]

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@Imaoldhippie wrote:

The public has been like that since forever.  There is just more of them today.

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I agree completely and having worked as a waitress and cab driver to pay for college a million years ago, I've seen that bad behaviour first hand The difference is IMO, that people feel more entitled and enabled to act out now because they have not seen or received  any consequences for their bad behavior. It's almost become a badge of honor to belittle others in some's eyes.

[FS74]

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@Mersha wrote:

My heart goes out to all those that are professionally dealing with the public right now.

Most of all, I have no concept how the medical professionals go to work, day after day, and deal with the same horrible issues of last year and now.

They have to be mentally, spiritually and physically burned out.

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We just deal. Short staffed and very busy. Thanks for your concern, it is appreciated. 

[beckyb1012]

What the heck happened to your nic?  I just a few minutes ago noticed in the wellness board it was different so I came and found a thread you had started so I would not be hijacking a thread.  If you changed on your on accord then that is one thing but did the system's bugs get you the choice was not your own?  I like the IG @KingstonsMom 

[KingstonsMom]

@beckyb1012 

Hi there!

Yes, the forum nic bandit got me and I had to change it.

I thought more people would realize who I was by using Kingston's name!

[hckynut]

I started working as a car hop at a drive-in restaurant right before I turned 12 years old, that would be 1951. People knew their orders were not "instant". Sure there were some pains in the ass that wanted their orders delivered "before they even ordered it". They were the rare exception, thankfully.

Then came McDonalds, along with the "immediate gratification era". Throw in the lock down and shortage of people that want to work? This is the way certain generations grew up in and the didn't seem to quite grasp what is involved in those working in certain businesses.

Fortunately from my experiences, these people are in a small minority. Slow down/count to 10/take a deep breath. This too shall pass. I hope!

hckynut