Rude Service

Today's blog isn't funny. It's funny that it has to be said, but that's it. So here goes ...
In just the space of three hours ...

I had to stand in line with a pile of food items, including ice cream, while the lone checker - at Target! (a place that's always busy) - handled more than seven people because it was 1:36 in the afternoon and all her "colleagues" had gone off somewhere and, as our lone checker said, "I was supposed to go at 1. I'm doing just two more people and that's it, they can go find themselves somewhere else to check out. I have my rights, you know."

I walked up to the lone checkout at Stop & Shop handling express items at 2 p.m. in the afternoon and had to start putting my items on a food ramp that was already covered by the young man (also a checker) who was having a tete-a-tete with his friend, the other checker, while leaning almost full body across the ramp. Both were unapologetic and acted as if I had rudely interrupted their "date."

On my way out of the shopping area, I handed my money and time slip to the parking attendant who processed it, raised the gate and turned to the next person.
....
Now, I understand that these are not the best-paying jobs in the world. I also understand that in the course of a day they have to deal with a wide variety of people, some of who could be less than polite with them.

But this I know to be true: I've worked retail. I've had low-paying jobs. I know what it's like to work from 8 in the morning till 11 at night for five days in a row. I know what it means to travel for two hours to a lousy job that eats up half your travel budget just going to and fro, not to mention daycare fees and the hassle of dropping a child off at daycare on the way there and back.

So here's what I have to say to the managers and owners of these businesses: Stop apologizing for poor service and start fixing it. Train your people. Don't settle for less than the best. If your employees can't manage to be civil and thankful for the business we bring you, then let them go. Those of us who have had to work hard for our money deserve - nay, demand - that we receive the very best treatment from your staff, and at the very least, a thank you when we leave
(p.s. I didn't get one all day, and I'm one of those customers who actually smiles and says thank you myself.). If you wonder why your business is suffering, look no further than the people you employ.