Sick of customers thinking they can treat me badly

cloud493

I'm sick of customers thinking they can talk to me badly, just because I am an employee of the shop. I work in a supermarket and the amount of abuse I get every day is shocking. Its better than being on the dole but still.

I get of course there's a lot of bad customer service in stores, but why should we all be tarred with the same brush? I go in every day and I try to be cordial and helpful to everyone I serve, even when I'm being told they're gonna get me sacked cos I can't give them the discount they want or being told I'm a waste of space when they have no ID for alcohol or what have you or when I'm, having stuff thrown at me and I'm not supposed to say or do anything back.

This is a two way street obviously. But I'm sick of people being like 'all employees who earn minimum/not very much wage don't care about their job and so do bad customer service, cos we don't. End rant.

Legs.Eleven

The trick it to "out nice" them. When they're being arseholes, you up the friendliness to the point of falseness and make them feel **** about themselves. Passive aggressive-arama but worked for me during my days in retails/waitressing.


Or you could always shout at them like I also occasionally did back in the day but those were the Celtic Tiger days when jobs were two a penny.

Alf Veedersane

cloud493 wrote: »

I'm sick of customers thinking they can talk to me badly, just because I am an employee of the shop. I work in a supermarket and the amount of abuse I get every day is shocking. Its better than being on the dole but still.

I get of course there's a lot of bad customer service in stores, but why should we all be tarred with the same brush? I go in every day and I try to be cordial and helpful to everyone I serve, even when I'm being told they're gonna get me sacked cos I can't give them the discount they want or being told I'm a waste of space when they have no ID for alcohol or what have you or when I'm, having stuff thrown at me and I'm not supposed to say or do anything back.

This is a two way street obviously. But I'm sick of people being like 'all employees who earn minimum/not very much wage don't care about their job and so do bad customer service, cos we don't. End rant.

I concur.

Unless you're one of those people who works at checkouts who throws a bag at me and sighs if I don't pack the bag in less than 3 seconds flat.

But if you're not, I agree wholeheartedly.

krudler

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

The trick it to "out nice" them. When they're being arseholes, you up the friendliness to the point of falseness and make them feel **** about themselves. Passive aggressive-arama but worked for me during my days in retails/waitressing.


Or you could always shout at them like I also occasionally did back in the day but those were the Celtic Tiger days when jobs were two a penny.

Kill 'em with kindness is one of the best things you'll ever lean working with the public. I have zero tolerance for people abusing me, I've seen co-workers reduced to tears because of how people think they can treat someone at the other end of a phone line over an issue they had absolutely nothing to do with.

Being passive aggressive to people with aggression/lack or manners/rudeness is hilarious

dirtyden

What sort of shop do you work in. I occasionally frequent stores to purchase items and I have never seen anyone threaten, abuse or throw stuff at a store employee.

In general I find the customer service in stores in Ireland to be a pretty satisfying affair from both sides of the counter (my dad is a retired grocer, so I have a lot of experience from both sides).

Mushy

Go to Ranting & Raving and do share you're stories. Always great for a laugh, and even just a read!

TrustedApple

I work in the restaurant side of things and like people have no idea how people are such dicks LoL. They expect everything and anything like with black paper and parmesan cheese they dont know how much it costs as its dear LoL. Just after spoon after 4 spoons and you wonder why you are so fat ? I say in my head LoL.

One night i was working i told a family i MIGHT have a table in them for 30 mins and come back then. They came back in 45 mins and i had giving away there table as i am not letting a table go to waste. Came back and started giving out to me like crazy. He asked me can i speak to the manager i was like speaking. Then he asked me for my name i said nope i not telling you and will you remove your self from the restaurant now as you are making a show off your self.

Another day i got i guy who asked for a fillet steak medium it came and it was medium. He picked up the Steak and started pointing out that it wasn't cooked right. When it was. He started insulting me and just said i will bring the food back to the chef now but 1st your going as well. As i am not getting insulted by someone like yourself

A new thing is to give out about you online on review sites and not saying there problems that they might have had to your face. I am one for replying to them and saying clearly why are you being a coward and using a review site when you could have said it to my face. One bad review was for being closed another was for not doing takeaway. The best was one for the way i dress LoL. I was in a suit and she wasn't happy with a skinny suit as i called her back up and asked what was wrong with the way i dress ?. She said i should not be wearing tight fitting suits in a restaurant i went to her whats on me is a hell of a lot better that what you where wearing that night LoL

I am a asshole on the tables and like you insult me i will give it back to you. As i am the wrong guy to piss off as people keep on forgetting that i am the one bringing you your food LoL

Corvo

I just lean forward on the desk and glare at them until they go away.

Alf Veedersane

samapple789 wrote: »

A new thing is to give out about you online on review sites and not saying there problems that they might have had to your face. I am one for replying to them and saying clearly why are you being a coward and using a review site when you could have said it to my face.

To be fair, it seems like you're just going to ask people to leave if they have a problem so they might as well post it online.

Legs.Eleven

Deleted User wrote: »

Being passive aggressive to people with aggression/lack or manners/rudeness is hilarious

It's brilliant. They can't find anything to hold against you because from an outsiders point of view, you're doing your job exceptionally well. They don't know what to do with themselves or how to react as it's not what they expected.

cloud493

I'm just ridiculously polite. Like it'll go like

Customer - 'This is ****ing overpriced your rip off merchants'
Me - 'I'm sorry you feel that way sir. Would you like to continue your purchase?'
Customer - 'No, **** the lot of you'
Me - 'No problem, Have a nice day sir'

Banjo String

I just flash my cleavage at the old dudes.

That baffles the bejaysus outta them.

Frank Black

samapple789 wrote: »

They expect everything and anything like with black paper and parmesan cheese they dont know how much it costs as its dear LoL. Just after spoon after 4 spoons and you wonder why you are so fat ? I say in my head LoL.

Maybe they just expect some proper english - what da fcuk does that sentance even mean?

lol indeed.

Zillah

samapple789 wrote: »

I work in the restaurant side of things and like people have no idea how people are such dicks LoL. They expect everything and anything like with black paper and parmesan cheese they dont know how much it costs as its dear LoL. Just after spoon after 4 spoons and you wonder why you are so fat ? I say in my head LoL.

One night i was working i told a family i MIGHT have a table in them for 30 mins and come back then. They came back in 45 mins and i had giving away there table as i am not letting a table go to waste. Came back and started giving out to me like crazy. He asked me can i speak to the manager i was like speaking. Then he asked me for my name i said nope i not telling you and will you remove your self from the restaurant now as you are making a show off your self.

Another day i got i guy who asked for a fillet steak medium it came and it was medium. He picked up the Steak and started pointing out that it wasn't cooked right. When it was. He started insulting me and just said i will bring the food back to the chef now but 1st your going as well. As i am not getting insulted by someone like yourself

A new thing is to give out about you online on review sites and not saying there problems that they might have had to your face. I am one for replying to them and saying clearly why are you being a coward and using a review site when you could have said it to my face. One bad review was for being closed another was for not doing takeaway. The best was one for the way i dress LoL. I was in a suit and she wasn't happy with a skinny suit as i called her back up and asked what was wrong with the way i dress ?. She said i should not be wearing tight fitting suits in a restaurant i went to her whats on me is a hell of a lot better that what you where wearing that night LoL

I am a asshole on the tables and like you insult me i will give it back to you. As i am the wrong guy to piss off as people keep on forgetting that i am the one bringing you your food LoL

I genuinely was interested in what you have to say but I could not finish reading your post because of how you finish most of your sentences LoL

TrustedApple

Frank Black wrote: »

Maybe they just expect some proper english - what da fcuk does that sentance even mean?

lol indeed.

Zillah wrote: »

I genuinely was interested in what you have to say but I could not finish reading your post because of how you finish most of your sentences LoL

Frank and Zillah makes both of you fell like big men making fun of some one who has dyslexia does it ? Considering i am in the last year of my degree i can't be that stupid !!!

You two come across as a asshole's who i would hate to be dealing with

120_Minutes

samapple789 wrote: »

Frank and Zillah makes both of you fell like big men making fun of some one who has dyslexia does it ? Considering i am in the last year of my degree i can't be that stupid !!!

You two come across as a asshole's who i would hate to be dealing with

If you're that sensitive about being challenged on your spelling, no wonder you lash out at difficult customers. As someone who works in retail i can sympathise, but Jesus lighten up man.

readyletsgo

samapple789 wrote: »

Frank and Zillah makes both of you fell like big men making fun of some one who has dyslexia does it ? Considering i am in the last year of my degree i can't be that stupid !!!

You two come across as a asshole's who i would hate to be dealing with

LOL! I have pretty bad dyslexia too, but you come across as a complete d!ck in your post to be fair and I wouldn't eat in your 'restaurant', I think you may need to learn how to speak to your customers and not out-right insult them to their face or over the phone or online.

Worked in retail and restaurants myself for a very long time over the years, its tough as hell sometimes, especially this time of year. Trick is to be overly nice no matter what the situation is.

Also, I use google for every word I cant spell, just an FYI for ya.


Have a nice day, samapple! :-)

DeanAustin

samapple789 wrote: »

Frank and Zillah makes both of you fell like big men making fun of some one who has dyslexia does it ? Considering i am in the last year of my degree i can't be that stupid !!!

You two come across as a asshole's who i would hate to be dealing with

I hope your degree isn't in anything which might result in you dealing with the public. You aren't suited to it.

racso1975

Banjo String wrote: »

I just flash my cleavage at the old dudes.

That baffles the bejaysus outta them.

And where do you work again???? :P

DeanAustin

DeanAustin wrote: »

I hope your degree isn't in anything which might result in you dealing with the public. You aren't suited to it.

Lol.;)

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

Being passive aggressive to people with aggression/lack or manners/rudeness is hilarious

There's nothing funnier than just keeping straight faced and calm, talking in a calm tone of voice to someone who is like that. After a few minutes they realize it is fruitless.

I've had so many bad experiences working with customers.

GarIT

samapple789 wrote: »

Frank and Zillah makes both of you fell like big men making fun of some one who has dyslexia does it ? Considering i am in the last year of my degree i can't be that stupid !!!

You two come across as a asshole's who i would hate to be dealing with

Dyslexia cannot affect capitalization or language use. Dyslexia didn't make you write "LOL". Dyslexia also doesn't stop you using punctuation and doesn't make you put words in the wrong places. I don't think anyone mentioned your spelling so I don't see how dyslexia is a defence to the replies given.

ROCKMAN

samapple789 wrote: »

I work in the restaurant side of things and like people have no idea how people are such dicks LoL. They expect everything and anything like with black paper and parmesan cheese they dont know how much it costs as its dear LoL. Just after spoon after 4 spoons and you wonder why you are so fat ? I say in my head LoL.

One night i was working i told a family i MIGHT have a table in them for 30 mins and come back then. They came back in 45 mins and i had giving away there table as i am not letting a table go to waste. Came back and started giving out to me like crazy. He asked me can i speak to the manager i was like speaking. Then he asked me for my name i said nope i not telling you and will you remove your self from the restaurant now as you are making a show off your self.

Another day i got i guy who asked for a fillet steak medium it came and it was medium. He picked up the Steak and started pointing out that it wasn't cooked right. When it was. He started insulting me and just said i will bring the food back to the chef now but 1st your going as well. As i am not getting insulted by someone like yourself

A new thing is to give out about you online on review sites and not saying there problems that they might have had to your face. I am one for replying to them and saying clearly why are you being a coward and using a review site when you could have said it to my face. One bad review was for being closed another was for not doing takeaway. The best was one for the way i dress LoL. I was in a suit and she wasn't happy with a skinny suit as i called her back up and asked what was wrong with the way i dress ?. She said i should not be wearing tight fitting suits in a restaurant i went to her whats on me is a hell of a lot better that what you where wearing that night LoL

I am a asshole on the tables and like you insult me i will give it back to you. As i am the wrong guy to piss off as people keep on forgetting that i am the one bringing you your food LoL

Its people like you that get retail a bad name , Its having to deal with this kind of attitude that helps get people working in the trade tarred with the same brush .But at least as I have highlighted you know what you are.

Suckler

GarIT wrote: »

Dyslexia cannot affect capitalization or language use. Dyslexia didn't make you write "LOL". Dyslexia also doesn't stop you using punctuation and doesn't make you put words in the wrong places. I don't think anyone mentioned your spelling so I don't see how dyslexia is a defence to the replies given.

You are failing to see that dyslexia is the fall back for stupidity. Always the dyslexia, it's getting as common as movie/music stars telling the world they were the bullied underachieving ugly duckling growing up and also throw in suffered with depression.

duffman13

Mushy wrote: »

Go to Ranting & Raving and do share you're stories. Always great for a laugh, and even just a read!

How do you access ranting and raving?

MissFlitworth

samapple789 wrote: »

They expect everything and anything like with black paper and parmesan cheese they dont know how much it costs as its dear LoL. Just after spoon after 4 spoons and you wonder why you are so fat ? I say in my head LoL.

Black pepper is about €10 a kilo, you don't have to charter a ship and sail to the Spice Islands for it anymore.

humanji

Folks, there's no need for the abuse in this thread. If you find yourself feeling wound up by something you read, take a step away from your computer.

AgileMyth

I work in a petrol station. There is a garden center next door that is not attached to our business, its completely separate.

The day before yesterday a guy came in with a basket of potted plants from next door and wanted to pay me for them. I explained it was a separate business and that, essentially, he had stolen the plants. He said he had no time to go back in and it was ridiculous that I wouldn't take his money and what sort of business was I running anyway?

I can tell you what business I'm not running...

cloud493

Its all about mutual respect. Or if you can't be arsed with that, just don't be a prick. Your nice to people in retail, they'll generally be ok to you.

Alf Veedersane

samapple789 wrote: »

I am a asshole on the tables and like you insult me i will give it back to you. As i am the wrong guy to piss off as people keep on forgetting that i am the one bringing you your food LoL

So you expect people to be nice to an asshole just so said asshole might not do something disgusting to your food?

Corruptedmorals

It matters how nice you are, sure. But up to a point. There will ALWAYS be at least one customer per day who varies from rude to a total asshole, no matter how nice you are. They just take things out on cashiers and enjoy the fact you can't say much. Almost always women, usually middle aged well-off weapons.

MonstaMash

Try working security, you really get to experience humanity in all it's glorious wonder...

krudler

Corruptedmorals wrote: »

It matters how nice you are, sure. But up to a point. There will ALWAYS be at least one customer per day who varies from rude to a total asshole, no matter how nice you are. They just take things out on cashiers and enjoy the fact you can't say much. Almost always women, usually middle aged well-off weapons.

Always, hands down the worst people in the world to deal with. Middle aged self entitled bints who think the world owes them a favour, usually the one who scream Joe Duffy , which is akin to telling me you'll have me licked to death by kittens as far as threats go.

Corruptedmorals

duffman13 wrote: »

How do you access ranting and raving?

Private message one of its mods. There is or was a thread in feedback to do it there..

degsie

Frank Black wrote: »

Maybe they just expect some proper english - what da fcuk does that sentance even mean?

lol indeed.

sentence, no?

Gavin "shels"

Doctor Jimbob wrote: »

I think everyone should be forced to work in retail or a similar job at least once in their lives. It really changes your perspective being on the 'other side'.

This! I had the joys of working in a retail for 4 years, thankfully my Degree kicked in over the summer and I worked hopefully me last retail job. Wouldn't mind, only talking to a mate today who's gotten his first job (age of 22) and he's moaning he only has Christmas Day off.....my first point was "you've never worked in retail".

massdebater

Jesus, all the cows.

5starpool

Doctor Jimbob wrote: »

I think everyone should be forced to work in retail or a similar job at least once in their lives. It really changes your perspective being on the 'other side'.

No way. I'm not an asshole to staff in shops/restaurants so why would I ever want to subject myself to dealing with the public? Some customers are assholes, just as some staff are rude as well, no helping that.

Ghost Buster

samapple789 wrote: »

Frank and Zillah makes both of you fell like big men making fun of some one who has dyslexia does it ? Considering i am in the last year of my degree i can't be that stupid !!!

You two come across as a asshole's who i would hate to be dealing with

I know dyslexia and your post is not an example of it.

the_monkey

GarIT wrote: »

Dyslexia cannot affect capitalization or language use. Dyslexia didn't make you write "LOL". Dyslexia also doesn't stop you using punctuation and doesn't make you put words in the wrong places. I don't think anyone mentioned your spelling so I don't see how dyslexia is a defence to the replies given.

Actually it does !!!

kylith

Deleted User wrote: »

There's nothing funnier than just keeping straight faced and calm, talking in a calm tone of voice to someone who is like that. After a few minutes they realize it is fruitless.

I've had so many bad experiences working with customers.

Absolutely, watching someone get angrier and angrier as you get more and more polite is one of the joys in life. I only snapped once - some wan was giving out about her favourite teacher not being rostered for her class. After 15 minutes of saying how terribly sorry I was for the inconvenience while she yelled at me I told her I'd let her know when we'd managed to perfect human cloning so that he could teach as many classes as she wanted.

Gods, it felt so good.

Stone Deaf 4evr

krudler wrote: »

Always, hands down the worst people in the world to deal with. Middle aged self entitled bints who think the world owes them a favour, usually the one who scream Joe Duffy , which is akin to telling me you'll have me licked to death by kittens as far as threats go.

not entirely on topic but it did remind me of a time I was returning from a wedding and the missus wanted to stop in avoca for something or another. The law-de-dah accents of the other clientele as they mused about the cinatro and the hint of cinnamon in the buns at the deli counter was grating on my nerves a bit.

however, the surprised look of disgust on their faces after I liberally crop dusted the area with my guinness and captain morgan infused farts brightened up my day no end.

Deandrumm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Being passive aggressive to people with aggression/lack or manners/rudeness is hilarious

Have to say this has worked seriously well for me on many occasions
In fairness, have had my fair share of ignorant customers but most tend to be polite, working in the city centre on a Friday night though you get some great characters coming in

Dartz

krudler wrote: »

Always, hands down the worst people in the world to deal with. Middle aged self entitled bints who think the world owes them a favour, usually the one who scream Joe Duffy , which is akin to telling me you'll have me licked to death by kittens as far as threats go.

****ing truth.

I've had:
One demand a discount because a plumber fell off her roof and the job was delayed while he got taken away in an ambulance
One demand she get it for free because a contractor 'stole' from her. What he stole was a bottle of water from the Kitchen tap on the hottest day of the year.
One ask for the cheapest system possible - one we warned her wouldn't do what she actually wanted to do - repeatedly, then threatened to go to Joe when it performed exactly as we told her it would. She wanted a free upgrade.

And it's always the 40-50 year old oul cows. ****ing crones are the personification of misery.

jd83

I agree with the other posters. Been sickeningly nice works best. There hoping you lose the head so they have something else to complain about. When your ned flanders nice to them it just really messes with their heads!

If im dealing with someone who is pissed off with the service I will do everything I can to help them. The minute they try to take out that frustration out on me I will become the nicest most unhelpful person in the world!

old hippy

I worked stacking shelves in supermarkets back in the day and it was incredible the amount of crap you'd have to put up with, not just the customers but some of the managers could be real nasty.

I also ran a newsagent for a few years and crikey, you really saw the best and worst of humanity.

Gummy Panda

samapple789 wrote: »

A new thing is to give out about you online on review sites and not saying there problems that they might have had to your face. I am one for replying to them and saying clearly why are you being a coward and using a review site when you could have said it to my face. One bad review was for being closed another was for not doing takeaway. The best was one for the way i dress LoL. I was in a suit and she wasn't happy with a skinny suit as i called her back up and asked what was wrong with the way i dress ?. She said i should not be wearing tight fitting suits in a restaurant i went to her whats on me is a hell of a lot better that what you where wearing that night

How did you get their contact number from the site?

WellThen?

I worked in an optician's for a few years. When customers did not have a prescription for their contact lenses we were not able(by law) to sell them. It was usually women, 20's and 30's who would lose the plot. There would always be a party or wedding ect. We would try test them to determine the prescription, however they would not want to wait to do it. It was crazy, it didn't matter how nice or helpful i tried to be they would always go mad. Like we can't guess which lenses to give ,we would get sued. My stomach would always drop when they replied, no i have no idea which ones, just give me a 2 or 3.... haha 2 or 3 what ? Anyway, i can imagine how infuriating it would be to have to wear your glasses on a night out, i wear lenses too but the actual abuse i received was unbelievable.

DeanAustin

DeanAustin wrote: »

I hope your degree isn't in anything which might result in you dealing with the public. You aren't suited to it.

That's it, you're going to have to leave now

sebastianlieken

cloud493 wrote: »

I'm sick of customers thinking they can talk to me badly, just because I am an employee of the shop. I work in a supermarket and the amount of abuse I get every day is shocking. Its better than being on the dole but still.

I get of course there's a lot of bad customer service in stores, but why should we all be tarred with the same brush? I go in every day and I try to be cordial and helpful to everyone I serve, even when I'm being told they're gonna get me sacked cos I can't give them the discount they want or being told I'm a waste of space when they have no ID for alcohol or what have you or when I'm, having stuff thrown at me and I'm not supposed to say or do anything back.

This is a two way street obviously. But I'm sick of people being like 'all employees who earn minimum/not very much wage don't care about their job and so do bad customer service, cos we don't. End rant.

@ OP, hang in there buddy.

Just remember that there are lots of idiots out there. There are alot of assholes out there too. Every so often (and more often than not) you get a combination of the two. Try to remember that their anger towards you is simply an amalgamation of their general ignorance and their social ineptitude.

Take a few deep breaths and don't allow yourself to stoop to their level, remain calm and collected and try to remember that they could be having just as crappy a day as you are because people were hurdling abuse at them in their jobs or in their families.

You've alot more patience than I have, i'll say that much. I'm comfortable here in my engineering coccoon away from the general public. That said, I very much appreciate curtious staff and it's something I always take note of, so from me to all of you friendly and helpful people who work with us people, thanks