Perhaps it’s just me, but I find myself experiencing terrible customer service more frequently these days. If I experience service that is par, or even slightly above par, I find myself feeling inclined to commend the individual helping me and essentially doing their job. I think that we certainly live in a society where people are very quick to criticize others or find something to complain about. I think that it is equally as important to applaud good work and recognize excellent service.
I have worked in several retail environments and customer oriented jobs in the past, so I can completely understand the position of a scorned, bitter employee. However, I do not agree with employees using these feelings against other customers. I don’t appreciate being treated like an inconvenience when asking an employee (politely) for help and a bit of guidance if I’m shopping, or for a refill of my drink at a restaurant.
With my background in retail, I completely understand how one or two rude and demanding customers can dampen a shift. I have arrived to many retail shifts, in the past, feeling miserable because I have had a long day at school, or because I had a fight at home. However, I always left those feelings aside when my shifts commenced and I would go out of my way to help customers and make the shift a pleasant experience for everyone.
On the flip side, there are the foul customers who expect a personal shopper to meet their every demand who can genuinely drive an employee insane. Working in any retail or customer service environment is not for the weak hearted type. There is a fine line between being a helpful, proactive employee who puts his/her customers first, and the type of employee who is taken advantage of. My least favourite customer wasn’t even the customer who brushed off my hello and ignored my offer for help, but it was the customer who was my best friend because they wanted a discount.
With all of that being said, I think that there needs to be a balance between the employee and the customer in order to have a pleasant experience, all around.
Be kind, that’s all anyone expects on either end of the spectrum!
Merzybean.
Merzybean 