"Are you ok?" by shop assistants...impolite?

Naos · 18-11-2007 02:47PM

Kipperhell wrote: »

The point seems to be do you find the phrase impolite so it hasn't been reduced to choice of words it is about whether they are polite or not.

It seems to bother you just as much as you seem to think " how can I help you " as a position of power from a shop assistant. Which is to my ears a position of servitude as the shop assistant is offering their service to aid the the other more senior person.

In short the words used are important and you think it is too.

Kipper, I have never said it bothered me that they were in a position of power. I said thats the American attitude towards it. As I have already said, I don't care how they say it to me, within reason, just so long as they dont hang around me like flies.

zuutroy wrote: »

Come to Ireland: Where everyone has so little to worry about, they get uppity about the choice of wording by shop assistants.

Agreed.

dame wrote: »

Something along those lines is acceptable to me too.

projectmayhem · 18-11-2007 02:47PM

daiixi wrote: »

On topic: "Are you ok?" is just a ridiculous thing to ask someone in shop and assistants should instead ask "May I help you?".

if you're wandering around the shop looking at a section of wall slightly miffed, "are you ok?" is fine IMO.

"may i help you?" is more polite but for the most part, sounds a bit noncey.

does it matter anyway? most of the time my reaction is an automatic "no thanks". except when in pc world or something, where you have to go looking for staff because they're never around when you want them.

mcauley · 18-11-2007 02:57PM

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

The assistant in my local Chinese take-away says "you OK" as I'm entering!

Chinese Takeaway / Brothel? Nice!

DonkeyStyle \o/ · 18-11-2007 02:59PM

tbh if I want assistance I'll stand there aimlessly, trying to catch your eye... when our eyes meet, my eyebrows will raise momentarily and my head will tilt slightly upwards... then and only then should you approach me and ask if I'm ok.
If my eyes are fixed on the shelf infront of me and my brow is furrowed, then I've got an internal dialog going which sould not be interrupted.
If I've just walked in the door, then I'm going to try this shopping thing on my own for a while first.
Really, how hard is that?

I don't mind how they phrase it as long as they slink away quietly afterwards.

Actually, I'd love to go shopping with Seven of Nine... she could be so assertive and belittling to these overbearing sales types.
"We do not require your... "assistance"... at this time. Return to your station or I shall register a complaint with your superiors."
"Your attempt at a pressure-sale has failed... friendly banter is irrelevant."
*sighs*

Proxy · 18-11-2007 03:08PM

DonkeyStyle \o/ wrote: »

Actually, I'd love to go shopping with Seven of Nine... she could be so assertive and belittling to these overbearing sales types.
"We do not require your... "assistance"... at this time. Return to your station or I shall register a complaint with your superiors."
"Your attempt at a pressure-sale has failed... friendly banter is irrelevant."
*sighs*

Jaysus thats nerdy. Fun, granted, but Christ... I feel like I need to watch UFC or boxing after that

Laslo · 18-11-2007 03:40PM

Proxy wrote: »

<unnamed Irish company> have just hired "Active Floor Sellers" for the Christmas season, so expect to be pestered big time. I work there and i've just been through the training. Its a big faux-pas to ask if someone is "ok". There are 6 phrases (can't remember all of them right now), but you're meant to;

- initialise by asking casually if you can help with something
- if someone is looking at something, ask them if they need info, is it a gift, who's it for, etc, and augment the info around it,
- push the sale from the start by saying things like "you'll need a memory card too, which is..." and talking as if you've already bought it (this works!)

Its pretty interesting to sit in on, its like hypnotism for dummies. BUT - its our job to ask you, we know you don't like it, but in all honesty, out of 10 people you ask, 8 actually appreciate any info you give them. Imagine explaining what the difference between a DS and a PSP is to a mammy and why their precious would want either more - its a hard job being a parent at Christmas!

EDIT: I don't want to seem like we enjoy it; we don't. It can be enjoyable, you can have the craic with customers and its nice when you do make a sale and the customer feels like they've learned something - but we're not shoving digital cameras into your hands. If you're looking at it - we'll try help you decide. I've never heard anyone actually push someone to a sale (course you're sposed to, its bad business not to). Personally, I just give the info and let them decide. Like I said, parents have it hard enough at Christmas.

So what's the official line on this policy then? Are you saying that you're just there to give advice or that you are actually supposed to be pressurising customers into a sale? Anyone that even thinks about trying the hard sell with me can watch me stroll right out of their store, wallet firmly sealed.

Rossibaby · 18-11-2007 03:43PM

we were made say it in my last 2 jobs...annoying

18-11-2007 04:10PM

It seems retail management think one way works and retail customers think the other way works.

I guess it is an element of both and sometimes pestering a customer will in fact make them buy that 48" Plasma TV or that Laptop they've been looing at.

I guess this makes it work from a retail management point of view.

I do feel like punching people in shops though.

Next time someone asks you are you alright or whatever variation just say "pardon?" and then see how many times you can get them to repeat themself. My record is 9.

Lands Leaving · 18-11-2007 04:14PM

Genius idea. I'll be trying that.

Ruu_Old · 18-11-2007 04:25PM

I don't mind it a whole lot because it is unavoidabe in pretty much any American shop as soon as you set one foot inside the door.:)

Terry · 18-11-2007 04:31PM

Ruu wrote: »

I don't mind it a whole lot because it is unavoidabe in pretty much any American shop as soon as you set one foot inside the door.:)

Yeah. It's not as bad as those people who ring you and try to sell you stuff.

Ruu_Old · 18-11-2007 04:53PM

Hey telemarketers have feelings too.

Jesus Wept · 18-11-2007 04:56PM

Ruu wrote: »

I don't mind it a whole lot because it is unavoidabe in pretty much any American shop as soon as you set one foot inside the door.:)

'HEY, NO PANTS - NO SERVICE RUU, YOU KNOW THE RULES.'

ian_m · 18-11-2007 05:07PM

I am the one who usually has to ask for things before being offered.

Lands Leaving · 18-11-2007 05:12PM

But telemarketers you can hang up on. People in shops keep at you till you crack and try out something you dont want or need

Dubit10 · 18-11-2007 06:04PM

I usually just tell them to go away and i'll call them if i want them:D

DonkeyStyle \o/ · 18-11-2007 07:03PM

Proxy wrote: »

Jaysus thats nerdy. Fun, granted, but Christ... I feel like I need to watch UFC or boxing after that

You don't feel like watching Star Trek?!

mp3guy · 18-11-2007 08:50PM

Anyone reading this thread who doesn't like being approached this way in a shop should ask to talk to the manager and let them know. Don't single out a member of staff, because you might have them lose their job for doing what their boss said, but let the manager know you don't like being asked things, and insist that this is forwarded to the "head office" or something. If enough people complain about it, the policy could be changed, making things easier for you and for the staff (no one likes doing it).

Laslo · 18-11-2007 09:14PM

mp3guy wrote: »

Anyone reading this thread who doesn't like being approached this way in a shop should ask to talk to the manager and let them know. Don't single out a member of staff, because you might have them lose their job for doing what their boss said, but let the manager know you don't like being asked things, and insist that this is forwarded to the "head office" or something. If enough people complain about it, the policy could be changed, making things easier for you and for the staff (no one likes doing it).

Don't do it then. If I was asked to compromise my integrity to do a job, I would not take that job. Don't expect pity just because you don't like doing something to someone. Just don't do it. :rolleyes:

18-11-2007 09:24PM

We are usually badgered by management sometimes to badger customers about if they're alright.

Usually if I see a customer looking slightly miffed or lost, I walk up to them and ask them if they are alright. I'd never walk up to someone if they seem alright, as I'd hate it if someone did the same to me.

marco murphy · 18-11-2007 09:28PM

Mear wrote: »

This is getting a bit petty, moaning about the choice of words.

Let us not turn into America, who use the "How can I help you?" to portray their position of power over yours of weakness.

I don't care how someone asks me, I care when they hang around you.

Exactly

18-11-2007 09:51PM

Why not just make up a double sided name badge with "just browsing, do not disturb" on one side and "help" on the other.

PS: I'm so glad I dont work in the retail sector, I couldn't do it!

Kintarō Hattori · 18-11-2007 10:18PM

DonkeyStyle \o/ wrote: »

Actually, I'd love to go shopping with Seven of Nine... she could be so assertive and belittling to these overbearing sales types.
"We do not require your... "assistance"... at this time. Return to your station or I shall register a complaint with your superiors."
"Your attempt at a pressure-sale has failed... friendly banter is irrelevant."
*sighs*

Heh Heh - That is pretty class. Fair play to ya, you've got it spot on!

davejones · 18-11-2007 10:46PM

"May i help you?" is a lot better than "Are you OK/alright?"

Just leave me alone and ill call for you if i need any help thank you.

Holmer · 18-11-2007 11:55PM

"May I help you?" can sound a bit formal I think, someone suggested wearing headphones a while back there and it usually works. Although one shop assistant leaned into my line of vision once when I couldn't hear her offers of help. I suppose some people just won't take the hint.
What's even worse are those shops with too many staff, often more staff than customers... There's one in Stephen's Green, the name kinda rhymes with "Gaydar" and the staff are lined up like sentries, like they're standing guard over the stuff. Then they socially assault you the minute you pick something up. Really overbearing. I wear the headphones in there let me tell ya!

Sorry for gettin off the point for a second, but that really winds me up. Maybe I could bring a gang of my fellow culchies around these places on Dec 8th

Corruptedmorals · 19-11-2007 12:14AM

The joy of working in a department store where you don't have to badger customers...

BrandonBlock · 19-11-2007 12:18AM

pirelli wrote: »

A quickpick please....No! yeah that one,
Did you say yeah, sir
Oh I did sorry I meant yes!
That a syringe sir.
No its a hyperdermic needle.
Bus drivers are real pricks some times especially the 45a

Can't believe this post went un-noticed. Legend stuff

GrumPy · 19-11-2007 12:22AM

I dont think it's rude. I work in retail and have to ask it all the time. I prolly ask about 30% of customers though, dont ask them all, especially when it's clear they are not buying.

Saying "excuse me, may I help you?" sounds too ****ing desperate, and I would think the salesperson is trying to get into my pants tbh.

Are you ok is fine.

Is they say yeah, we are grand, or fine thanks etc.. just say ok gimme a shout if ya need a hand.

Holmer · 19-11-2007 12:39AM

Even though it annoys a lot of people, you've no option but to ask really cos there are a lot of people who just won't be assertive enough to stride up to you or shout across the shop

Toto Wolfcastle · 19-11-2007 12:39AM

I worked in a take away where the customers stood pretty close to the desk, so 'next please' would sound kind of silly. I used to say 'Are you ok?' sometimes, and other times I would say 'Hi, how are you?' and the customer usually replied, 'Fine thanks, order for.....please.' So that worked.

After that I worked in a department store so I didn't really have to approach customers. If I was on the floor and a customer seemed confused I always said "Do you need any help?'. I worked in the lingerie department and I think a lot of customers appreciated me asking because there was so much choice.

It doesn't bother me if I'm approached by someone offering help. I usually just say 'I'm ok for the moment, thank you' and that works fine.

The only place I have a problem with is a certain accessories shop aimed at younger teenagers. There really is no need to hop on me with a basket the second I walk in the door, telling me about the 'special offer' on earrings. (It's not a special offer if it's been running for 7 years!) I used to buy earrings and things for younger cousins in there but I don't shop there anymore because of this. I feel sorry for the staff because the company really puts great emphasis on this approach. (On a mystery shopping questionnaire I was asked to state how long it took for the staff to approach me and the options were: Immediately upon entering; Less than 1 minute; 1-3 minutes; Over 3 minutes. They really don't want you getting away!)

"Are you ok?" by shop assistants...impolite?

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