Why would anyone say this? - Page 7

Allegheny · ‎03-19-2010

Many people can be just plain vile and have a perverted attitude that it is their constitutional right to spout their mouth off to anyone. These people are crude and don't deserve a second thought. Really its all about them, they have personality issues. These people do this just to flame other people. They must get some kind of sick self gratification out of doing this. However their words do cause hurt.

In a work environment as described by OP, it is best to ignore them. Any type of caustic interaction would not be looked at favorably by management. However, that said, when I was confronted with such people, sometimes I would look at them and very nicely ask, "Pardon me, what did you say?" In most cases that caught them off guard and made them realize their comment was inappropriate.

Emma bunting · ‎04-21-2014

The best response to such a rude and demeaning comment would be ""When am I going to get a real job? I guess as soon as you get some real manners.""

Allegheny · ‎03-19-2010

On 5/3/2014 Yuban3 said:
On 5/2/2014 VanSleepy said:
I know there are giant as ses in the world, but I can't even imagine someone saying this to her. I don't see why a reply in a "non-sniping" tone would get her in any trouble. I don't think I would be able to ignore the jerks. Something like others have suggested..."This is a real job" and under her breath "a hole" LOL

It doesn't matter what tone you use when you say something to a customer. You could say something to that customer in the nicest, sweetest voice, but if the customer does not like what you said, they can still demand to see your manager, and complain to them about how rude and nasty you were to them.

Case in point. Just before I left Sears, I had a husband and wife come in and ask for help in the bedding and small appliances department. As a cashier, we were forbidden from leaving the register unattended. So, I cheerfully called for someone to help them. That help never showed up. They again asked for help. And again, I was more than happy to call for someone to go over and help them. I was all smiles, very pleasant attitude. Friendly tone of voice. Still, no one showed up to help them. Then they asked to speak with the manager. Once again, I was smiling, and had a pleasant, friendly tone of voice, as I said that I would call a manager over. Before a manager could get there however, the wife took off and found another manager, and complained to him about MY negative attitude!

The manager hauled me in to his office, and proceeded to read me the riot act about my attitude. I tried to explain to him, how I was pleasant, and friendly, and willing to help the customer. But my manager would hear none of it. In his eyes, *I* was the one at fault. And consequently, I was the one who got in to trouble.

So, the moral of the story is, even when a customer is rude, and treating you like a day old cow patty, is is always best to keep your mouth shut.

Yuban3, as you know, the manager in this particular case was dead wrong. He/she just didn't like having to deal with an unreasonable customer, which is part of their job. He/she should have reiterated to the customer that you were not permitted to leave your post, and then he/she should have resolved their problem. I am sorry this happened to you.

Lynneuk · ‎03-10-2010

She should say ..."I won't even dignify that question with a response." And walk away.

And if they haven't received their food yet she should personally deliver it to their table and say, smiling sweetly..." Enjoy you food. We made it extra special,just for you."

Yuban3 · ‎03-10-2010

On 5/3/2014 Allegheny said:
On 5/3/2014 Yuban3 said:
On 5/2/2014 VanSleepy said:
I know there are giant as ses in the world, but I can't even imagine someone saying this to her. I don't see why a reply in a "non-sniping" tone would get her in any trouble. I don't think I would be able to ignore the jerks. Something like others have suggested..."This is a real job" and under her breath "a hole" LOL

It doesn't matter what tone you use when you say something to a customer. You could say something to that customer in the nicest, sweetest voice, but if the customer does not like what you said, they can still demand to see your manager, and complain to them about how rude and nasty you were to them.

Case in point. Just before I left Sears, I had a husband and wife come in and ask for help in the bedding and small appliances department. As a cashier, we were forbidden from leaving the register unattended. So, I cheerfully called for someone to help them. That help never showed up. They again asked for help. And again, I was more than happy to call for someone to go over and help them. I was all smiles, very pleasant attitude. Friendly tone of voice. Still, no one showed up to help them. Then they asked to speak with the manager. Once again, I was smiling, and had a pleasant, friendly tone of voice, as I said that I would call a manager over. Before a manager could get there however, the wife took off and found another manager, and complained to him about MY negative attitude!

The manager hauled me in to his office, and proceeded to read me the riot act about my attitude. I tried to explain to him, how I was pleasant, and friendly, and willing to help the customer. But my manager would hear none of it. In his eyes, *I* was the one at fault. And consequently, I was the one who got in to trouble.

So, the moral of the story is, even when a customer is rude, and treating you like a day old cow patty, is is always best to keep your mouth shut.

Yuban3, as you know, the manager in this particular case was dead wrong. He/she just didn't like having to deal with an unreasonable customer, which is part of their job. He/she should have reiterated to the customer that you were not permitted to leave your post, and then he/she should have resolved their problem. I am sorry this happened to you.

Yes, my (former) manager should have told the customer that I was not permitted to leave the register. But, as they say, the customer is always right. (rolls eyes)

That's why when people say that the o/p's daughter should have said something in response to the customer asking her, "When are you going to get a real job", I have to say, no.

If one can get in to trouble with management for doing things right, and as I was supposed to do them, you can bet your sweet bippy, that if that daughter were to make any kind of retort to the customer, she most likely would be fired.

And I mean ANY kind of response.

That's why it is BEST to keep your mouth SHUT when a customer is being rude.

The boss wants their customers to be happy. And if they are not happy? Guess who management is going to blame? Not the customer. The employee.

Why don't people get that?

Was Yuban, then changed to Plaid Pants due to forum upgrade, and apparently, I'm back to being Yuban.

brii · ‎06-20-2010

Yuban, maybe if you had explained to the couple why you weren't allowed to leave the register, that would have helped them understand the situation.

Mangers looks for patterns of behavior from employees. Most know when customers are hard to deal with.

kittymomNC · ‎08-09-2012

On 5/2/2014 faeriemoon said:
You know how we have the "ignore" feature here? Well, I do that in real life. Lately, I've been doing it more and more. ${#emotions_dlg.blink}$ My siggy is for real.

Love your siggy--I'm running out of people I can stand this week.!

I've often wondered when I go to a fast food restaurant, whether or not I could do those jobs. I worked in the "corporate" world for 46 years, part of that time in HR management, and yet when I see the person who is taking the orders, at the same time giving me my change, etc., I don't know how they keep it straight. I've always been a "multitasker", although that seems to be the new word in the last few years, as though no one ever did that before--we just didn't have a convenient word for it. But the people in these fast food restaurants seem to take "multitasking" to a whole new level.

They have my admiration and appreciation for what they do, especially for so little pay!

Allegheny · ‎03-19-2010

As a customer, one of the things that gets my bp elevated is the sales person, who while being nice just gives you the "Oh, I can't help you" attitude. No "I'm sorry" or "Let me ask someone." Pretty much like "thats all I can do for you (with a smile) now please go away." No empathy what so ever.

Had this happen last week. I wanted to pay using the remaining balance I had on a gift card. When I swiped the card the machine could not read it. She stood there and said, I don't think the machine likes your card, it must be damaged. I told her that seems odd, it was only used once before. She just left it at that. No attempt to key in the card at the register or call another more experienced associate. It was like a "Duh" moment that's my answer, take it or leave it.

So fast forward. Same store a few days later. Checking out, again tried to use same gift card. Again, card reader failed to read it. Young man waiting on me said, I don't think we can key in gift cards. I suggested "well lets try it". It worked. I looked at him and smiled and said well we both learned something.