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Supermarkets saying hello.

  • 29-10-2012 07:30PM
    #1
    kneemos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,384 ✭✭✭✭


    It seems the supermarkets have developed a policy of saying hello to each customer at the checkout,Aldi and Lidl have taken it a stage further by saying "hello how are you." I don't particularly have a problem with it but was wondering if anyone knew the reasoning or psychology behind it.


«13

Comments

  • #2
    Larianne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,954 ✭✭✭✭Larianne


    Being polite?


  • #3
    alwaysadub
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,554 ✭✭✭✭alwaysadub


    They are being polite!


  • #4
    Max Power
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,072 ✭✭✭Max Power


    Wild guess here but maybe they are trying to be nice?


  • #5
    phasers
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,159 ✭✭✭✭phasers


    lidl and Aldi have always done that, it's just being polite. I always say hi to people at checkouts, it's friendly.


  • #6
    MJ23
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,039 ✭✭✭MJ23


    Cash or Laser?
    They do it Aldi all the time, even when you're nearly waving the 20 note under their nose.


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  • #7
    ballsymchugh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,942 ✭✭✭ballsymchugh


    it's just common manners really. better than a grunt from someone who makes dealing with you look like a chore.
    it's not near as annoying as shops that have greeters. it's getting very common in the UK. doubt it'll be too long before the UK chains have them in ireland too.


  • #8
    MadsL
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,299 ✭✭✭✭MadsL


    I miss the good old Celtic tiger "are you OK, dere" or "Y'right"


  • #9
    Immaculate Pasta
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,663 ✭✭✭Immaculate Pasta


    Agreed it's a disgrace OP. :mad:

    You grumpy bugger.


  • #10
    Skylinehead
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,690 ✭✭✭✭Skylinehead


    kneemos wrote: »
    It seems the supermarkets have developed a policy of saying hello to each customer at the checkout

    The supermarkets themselves are saying it? Snazzy :cool:


  • #11
    Miss Lockhart
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,639 ✭✭✭Miss Lockhart


    I'm surprised this warrants a thread tbh! Surely it's just basic manners to say hello at the beginning of an interaction with somebody.


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  • #12
    BBDBB
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,899 ✭✭✭✭BBDBB


    kneemos wrote: »
    It seems the supermarkets have developed a policy of saying hello to each customer at the checkout,Aldi and Lidl have taken it a stage further by saying "hello how are you." I don't particularly have a problem with it but was wondering if anyone knew the reasoning or psychology behind it.


    they are trying to compete on service for your business rather than just prices. The thinking is that if the staff are pleasant and polite you will get a lovely warm feeling associated with shopping in their supermarket and feel inclined to shop more, spend more money and urge your family, friends and complete strangers on the internet to do likewise


  • #13
    cml387
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 9,292 ✭✭✭cml387


    Yes, and you might like to say hello and thanks back.

    Read this thread and weep for humanity


  • #14
    WoollyRedHat
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,462 ✭✭✭✭WoollyRedHat


    Yeah, I hear they say hello and wave goodbye.... As for me well, I'll find someone who's not going cheap in the sales.. say hello and wave goodbye


  • #15
    tuxy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,980 ✭✭✭✭tuxy


    I always say hello to checkout assistants so I don't see how it's weird if they say hello first. I do find it weird in the states when places like walmat pay people to stand at the door and say hello to every customer though.


  • #16
    MistyCheese
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,006 ✭✭✭MistyCheese


    kneemos wrote: »
    It seems the supermarkets have developed a policy of saying hello to each customer at the checkout
    kneemos wrote: »
    Aldi and Lidl have taken it a stage further by saying "hello how are you."

    Where will this madness end?


  • #17
    OneArt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,910 ✭✭✭OneArt


    Well they do it in Germany all the time so it makes sense in Aldi and Lidl.

    I thought they always did it in Ireland though?


  • #18
    OneArt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,910 ✭✭✭OneArt


    Well they do it in Germany all the time so it makes sense in Aldi and Lidl.

    I thought they always did it in Ireland though?


  • #19
    monkeysnapper
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,563 ✭✭✭monkeysnapper


    I always try to be genuine , nothing worse than somebody just going though a process, i ussually try to change it around, say hello how are you to customer 1' then next customer, hi lovely day isnt it, then next customer , hi there madam/ sir your looking very well today f they look likevthey might be up for a little craic


  • #20
    Washington Irving
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,066 ✭✭✭Washington Irving


    It's subliminal messaging, they think they're being clever. Don't let them get to you, OP


  • #21
    BBDBB
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,899 ✭✭✭✭BBDBB


    hello to everyone reading this thread :)






    send me your money


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  • #22
    skinny90
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,595 ✭✭✭skinny90


    As posted above its pure acknowledgement of you presence and thanks for your custom,regarding greeting theres nothing wrong with it,its very customer service based,its not a UK things,tis more of an American thing,Indian owned shops are great for it


  • #23
    mackg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,938 ✭✭✭mackg


    MistyCheese wrote: »
    Where will this madness end?

    Goodbye?


  • #24
    Miss Lockhart
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,639 ✭✭✭Miss Lockhart


    skinny90 wrote: »
    As posted above its pure acknowledgement of you presence and thanks for your custom,regarding greeting theres nothing wrong with it,its very customer service based,its not a UK things,tis more of an American thing,Indian owned shops are great for it

    I really don't get this. Saying hello to somebody is very customer service based and is an American thing?!

    It's just saying hello to somebody. That's it. It would be weird not to. This is nothing like the American practice of having a scripted and pre-rehearsed spiel for every customer.


  • #25
    tolosenc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,889 ✭✭✭tolosenc


    In before someone complains about Americans saying "have a nice day"...


  • #26
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 25,909 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I always do a quick "Hey, how's it going", didn't think much of it til now.


  • #27
    Siuin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,659 ✭✭✭Siuin


    I've always been rather suspicious of anyone acting nice for no reason... especially when they're taking my money...!


  • #28
    kneemos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,384 ✭✭✭✭kneemos


    I kinda feel sorry for them having to say hello to everyone,particularly the surly ones (Aldi,Lidl) who you know would much rather tell you to feck off.


  • #29
    burstbuckle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 216 ✭✭burstbuckle


    It is beneath me to darken the doors of aldi or lidl,what if people seen me there.


  • #30
    Az0th
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29 ✭Az0th


    phasers wrote: »
    lidl and Aldi have always done that, it's just being polite. I always say hi to people at checkouts, it's friendly.

    I found it to be the the opposite. The people working the counter at Lidl or Aldi would never give eye contact or smile.

    The cashier said "hi" to me last week. I remember it caught me by surprise as it has literally never happened to me in a Lidl or Aldi.


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  • #31
    nbar12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,381 ✭✭✭nbar12


    this is disgraceful behaviour OP! I think it's time I give my friend JOEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE DUFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFY a call about this!


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