Sick of customers thinking they can treat me badly

cloud493 · 18-12-2013 11:50AM #1

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 · 18-12-2013 11:53AM

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 · 18-12-2013 11:54AM

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 · 18-12-2013 12:04PM

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.

18-12-2013 12:08PM

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

dirtyden · 18-12-2013 12:09PM

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 · 18-12-2013 12:10PM

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

TrustedApple · 18-12-2013 12:15PM

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 · 18-12-2013 12:16PM

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

Alf Veedersane · 18-12-2013 12:20PM

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 · 18-12-2013 12:23PM

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 · 18-12-2013 12:27PM

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 · 18-12-2013 12:32PM

I just flash my cleavage at the old dudes.

That baffles the bejaysus outta them.

Frank Black · 18-12-2013 12:33PM

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 · 18-12-2013 12:35PM

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 · 18-12-2013 12:38PM

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 · 18-12-2013 12:46PM

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 · 18-12-2013 12:48PM

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 · 18-12-2013 12:52PM

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 · 18-12-2013 12:54PM

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

18-12-2013 12:57PM

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.;)

18-12-2013 12:58PM

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 · 18-12-2013 01:01PM

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 · 18-12-2013 01:04PM

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 · 18-12-2013 01:08PM

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 · 18-12-2013 01:08PM

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 · 18-12-2013 01:09PM

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 · 18-12-2013 01:12PM

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 · 18-12-2013 01:13PM

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 · 18-12-2013 01:13PM

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 · 18-12-2013 01:13PM

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?

Sick of customers thinking they can treat me badly

Comments