O.K., I've got a gripe.. (VENT)...

[tammyd2]

Its not just the fast food places either. Customer service in general totally sucks in grocery stores, retail stores, etc.

When I was just out of highschool and working in a grocery store I remember we were ALWAYS taught to have 100% customer service. We'd never get away with half the things the cashiers do now. Half the time they are talking with co-workers while they are ringing you up.

[duranniemom]

Ok, here's my two cents...

If you don't like people, then maybe working in something requiring "customer service" is not the right job for you. We also had a situation recently and I used it as a lesson for my daughter. I wanted to show her just how important going to college and earning a degree really is.

"You want fries with that?"

I want more for her than that! (And being around all that grease in the air is bad for her complextion anyway!)

[KimK]

I was at the drive thru at Burger King for lunch today & I asked the person taking the orders "how are you today" before I started my order. She acted like I was speaking another language & that nobody ever bothers to ask so I'm sure they don't get treated very well.

I have found that the best fast food service in the drive thru is chick-fil-a. They always say "We look forward to seeing you at the window" & get my order right everytime. I've heard they start higher than the minimum wage so they probably get better quality employees.

[Deleted]

@ TammyD2--I agree, back in the day, it was all about customer service. I LOVE, LOVE your signature picture!!! He is fabulous!! ;D

@ KimK--I also agree about Chik-Fil-A, they are alwasy polite the few times I've been there.

[fugitivepoet]

Wow...that's bullshit. I live in a high tourism area that depends on the hospitality of the local businesses to keep the visitors coming. Never had anything like that happen here, but away from home....yeah. Like the Burger King beeaatch who refused to give me a cup of mayonnaise saying it wasn't sanitary. I said "If that's the case, why is it that you think it's ok to put it on anyone's food then???" Followed by "Sounds like you need to hire a cleaning crew for your dirty restaurant". Mind you, I had the food in my hand already and made the request at the window. No spit there. ;D I called the little number on the back of the receipt and exacted my revenge.

[ninarogue]

Before our son was born, we would drive from Rochester NY to the NYC area about once a month. During the winter, we'd stick to the Thruway; it would take longer but at least it lowered the risk of turning into road pizza. Anyway...

we had a system for stopping, so that we could speed up the time. I'd run to the bathroom, he'd get in line at McDonalds; I'd come out, he'd go in and I'd finish the order, get the food and off we would go.

One trip, there were two people in line when I went in to the bathroom. When I came out, the same two people were still in from of my husband. He went in to the men's room, came out and we still hadn't moved. By now, the line was considerably longer. After 15 minutes, it was our turn. Another 10 and we had our order.

My husband looks at me and says, "I have to say something". I grab the food and begin to walk away (the same food spitting fear), and hubby says to the girl at the counter:

If you continue to move at this pace for the rest of your life, this will be the best job you ever have.

The sad part was that she didn't understand what he meant. But the guy behind us was laughing so hard he was crying.

[Dani]

There will be no change until they up the pay and the managers and higher up's care. They say that "someone" has to work in these job's in order to have the things in life we need. Fast Food, Retail, customer service. I say depending on early in your job life you get that one boss who really cares about you and teaches you how to take care of people.

I had that one boss. I know what it takes and did it through out
my retail years. I do like it and like when i was able to help people out.
Some customers really do appreciate you and it always was nice to
get that compliment. I don't think their is hope in fast food...LOL


EDIT TO ADD: I have seen over the 20 years in retail and as a customer, some of the most rude and vile people treat us and for no reason. Granted if it is a situation that they deserved it, i can't say i'd blame them, but people can be really shitty for no damm reason.

[Deleted]

Oh dani...I definitely agree with you. I have worked with people/customers/patients since I've been working and have encountered some plain old, miserable for no good reason, people!!

I work for an ophthalmologist (for almost 8 years) and 80% of our patients are over the age of 60 and they can be some hateful f___ers!!

[sarahb1863]

I worked in retail for many years. I worked at the credit center of a department store, and we had to do both credit and work the Ticketmaster booth which was right next to us.

That was the worst. Whenever there was a big concert (This was between 1987 and 1990, and there were some big acts coming through like Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones), there would be a huge line at the Ticketmaster and many times we'd still be taking care of them when the store opened. Usually there were enough people to cover both counters, but once in a while a backup would develop in the credit area because a concert was unexpectedly popular and the credit clerk who should have been working the credit counter would still be selling tickets. Blech!

The worst ticketselling experience was apparently for New Kids on the Block. I wasn't there for that one, but was told by co-workers that our lobby was full of borderline hysterical 13-year-old girls and their moms to buy tickets the second the Ticketmaster opened. Once it opened the crush was on, and since Ticketmaster is a nationwide seller the pavilion seats sold out in a matter of minutes and we started selling lawn seats (it was a covered pavilion outdoor concert).

Well, after we'd sold a large number of lawn seats the organizers suddenly added a second concert (which they weren't supposed to do without notifying us a few days beforehand that another concert might be added) and pavilion seats for the second concert started showing up in the computer. Of course, the girls who had just bought lawn seats were now crying to their moms that they wanted pavilion seats to the second show instead. So the moms crowd the counter demanding refunds so they can buy the pavilion seats to the second concert (which are swiftly selling out as the cashiers try to juggle calling Ticketmaster trying to get refund numbers - which technically can only be given if a show is cancelled - selling tickets to the people who are still in line and angry that these mothers are butting in, and of course the store is now open so credit customers are also waiting to be taken care of and glaring at the cashiers).

It was a huge mess and I think of it every time I'm stressed out at work. Hell hath no fury like a 12 year old who wants to see New Kids on the Block!

[La Princess]

I have mixed feelings on this. My first day at my first job I got screamed at. It was at a chicken fast food restaurant (Brown's Chicken). I mixed up a thigh and a breast. This guy came back calling me names and being mean. The manager told him I was new. He didn't care. I had several more instances of rude customers while I worked fast food and stores. On the other hand I've dealt with rude employees. There was a Best Buy I would go to. I only went when I needed something. They were rude and messed up orders all the time. They would forget to give me reRhodes. I quit going there. Another Best Buy opened even closer to me. The employees there couldn't be nicer. They always ask if I need assistance. They are very friendly. Guess which Best Buy I'll go to? I always try to be nice to employees. Even when I have a bad day. I'll never forget the rude customers.