Have you ever been in a hurry or bad mood and because of that mistreated a customer? Got sarcastic or rude. Lied about not having an item they wanted (so that you wouldn't have to cut it). Been short with them, or lied when asked how something tastes for example: "I never eat meat. I'm a vegetarian", "I don't like bacon". Stuff like that.
At my previous place of employment (more that 11 years ago), I often went home and felt terrible about something I did, or didn't do. I was a victim of the circumstances (not enough labor), but still, you shouldn't take it out on the customer. But I did. A few times. I guess I'm the only one, right?
years ago,, I was handing over a frozen thanksgiving turkey (over a coffin case, I was behind it) to an elderly lady, let it go,,,thought she had it, and it fell on her foot and broke her toe
so, here is an old lady moaning in pain with a 20 lb turkey on the floor beside her- I go to help her, and she's screaming at me
Burgermeister, did you tell a customer you were a vegetarian? I thought I was the only one that did that! Thirty some years ago when I was just a kid working evenings cleaning and waiting the meat counter I got to know a lot of the regular customers. Most of them were pretty nice, if they were not I did not talk much to them. Got to know some well enough that we would joke back and forth and I actually had one gal believing me for several months that I was a vegetarian. I explained that in our small town (at that time) there were not many jobs to be had and I needed a job so took this one even though I don't eat meat. I still feel bad about it, and she still shops with me and we still joke about that but I still apologize to her every time we talk. It's great having customers that have stayed with us for decades, now her children and grandchildren shop with us. Awesome feeling.
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I'm not a vegetarian, but have eaten many animals that were.
I had lots of times when I said something I wish I didn't or I just wasn't very friendly. It was always due from work and home stress.
Then there were plenty of times I would go home irritated with myself for NOT saying something (standing up for myself) to particularly rude customers. Instead I bent over backwards trying to make then happy, forgetting to consider that nothing makes those kind of people happy.
I have a question, do you think some customers feel guilty after treating us like crap?
In my last 2 years I took on a new attitude to regain some self respect. I stopped kissing ass. If they were respectful to me I would be respectful back. If they were disrespectful, I would just say "you can figure it out yourself" and walk away.
One of my own quotes to use when someone is complaining about the price or something similar that I have no control over is "Hey, nobody is MAKING you buy it".
Was
Working this fourth of july had been telling all coustomers have a great 4th or happy 4th told one guy have a nice 4th not thinking he was
Talking in a forgin accent he stated i am not a American screw your 4 th i looked up accrosse counter and before i could stop myself i said well **** you and take your sorry ass back across the pond may get fired ....... On second thought **** it let them fire me IF YOU DONT LOVE AMERICA LEAVE IT
IF YOU DON'T LOVE AMERICA THAN LEAVE IT! Better yet before you think you want to come here make up your mind that you will love it in all the good and bad it has to offer or don't bother!
Everybody has a point. I don't care how long you've been in this business, how much patience you've acquired over the years, you've still got a point where, when the right buttons are pushed... I was helping a guy at the counter and he was just raking me over the coals. We we out of choice tenderloin and he was pissed. "This always happens in this store!" (It doesn't) "I knew I should've went to the other store. I suppose you're out of ribeyes too!" (The tray was empty--it was VERY busy) No, I explained I could cut more of those. "And meantime I have to WAIT!" He then proceeded to critique my entire service case (it was getting trashed--it was VERY busy) and in between every disparaging remark made the comment , "I knew I should've went to the other store."
I swear to god it was everything I could do not to say, "Here's five dollars, please go there now." Instead I told him I'd cut those ribeyes and be right back. As soon as I flung open that cooler door I screamed (a lot louder than I meant to) something you wouldn't repeat to your mother. The rest of the day I was worried he'd heard what I said. My wife got fired from the deli for a similar meltdown.
Everybody has a point. I don't care how long you've been in this business, how much patience you've acquired over the years, you've still got a point where, when the right buttons are pushed... I was helping a guy at the counter and he was just raking me over the coals. We we out of choice tenderloin and he was pissed. "This always happens in this store!" (It doesn't) "I knew I should've went to the other store. I suppose you're out of ribeyes too!" (The tray was empty--it was VERY busy) No, I explained I could cut more of those. "And meantime I have to WAIT!" He then proceeded to critique my entire service case (it was getting trashed--it was VERY busy) and in between every disparaging remark made the comment , "I knew I should've went to the other store."
I swear to god it was everything I could do not to say, "Here's five dollars, please go there now." Instead I told him I'd cut those ribeyes and be right back. As soon as I flung open that cooler door I screamed (a lot louder than I meant to) something you wouldn't repeat to your mother. The rest of the day I was worried he'd heard what I said. My wife got fired from the deli for a similar meltdown.
I understand the letting it out in the cooler thing. I would often go into the cooler and start punching beef boxes. the rubber barrels took a beating a couple times too. Then I would come back out smiling "here you go". (I know. How immature of me. Like I said above I had to make some changes in my attitude towards work because the stress was getting to be unbearable)
I definitely had lots of time where as soon as I turned my back I would mutter something under my breath about that customer. Often right after I said it I would worry I said it louder than I meant to and they heard me, but if they did nothing ever came out of it.
The reason it gets to us sometimes (more often for others) is because we feel like we are sincerely trying to do a good job and make this customer happy and they can't seem to see that. Its very frustrating.
That is where we have to realize that some people are just unhappy. Nothing we do or say is going to change that. But what we can change is our own attitude and stop letting them drag us down with them.
I sure don't miss this business but I respect all of you whom are still putting up with it. Whoever replaced me is in meat hell right now and I can't help but chuckle. They can't kick me around anymore.
-- Edited by fdarn on Sunday 6th of July 2014 11:05:49 AM
