That "Boy" probably dosen't get paid enough to take crap from customers.

Word, China.

I work at a grocery store, but I'm still pleasant to the customers...it's my job, yo.
And you weren't really being a jerk, meglet, at all. You were just upset.
Everyone's upset.
Let's give the world a hug.

I'm one who has to ride both sides of the fence here....both as someone who as a customer and as someone who works in the service industry.

As a customer, I fully agree with meglet here - some people in the service industry simply don't care about the customers they are paid to serve. And I'm sorry ChinaCat, but I must disagree - when you work in the service industry that IS what your paid for: dealing with customers. Be they a joy or a dread to deal with, it is your job to make them happy, because it is their business that keeps you in those paychecks. Sometimes I want to strangle the register clerks as most stores and fast food chains...they treat you like scum - usually based on that jaded perspective of "we don't get paid to deal with this crap." Sorry friend, but that's your job, so deal with it.

Now the flipside of the coin: me the service industry worker. And in this mode, I'll be honest. I've made my share of "I hate customers" comments myself. I'm a computer technician as well as periodically running the retail division of our shop. Let me tell ya, we get some interesting people. Some that dont have a clue what they are talking about but think the do; some that will try to prove they know more than you but for some mysterious reason still had to come to you for help; and others that are true losers and believe that we exist and work only for them and for their timetable. It gets pretty damn frustrating. HOWEVER....

The difference between myself and the "boy" she describes - and where the "boy" is definately in the wrong - is that no matter how much a customer may annoy you, you never, NEVER make it known allowed that "you hate customers." And you always provide the same level of service no matter how much they may be a pain or how much it takes you "out of the way" from your task at hand. Again, your paycheck and your livelyhood depends on the business of that individual - no matter how much or little you get paid. Therefore, you better make your job pleasing the customer, because although a happy customer may only spread the word to a couple friends, an angry customer will share their experience with the world. And we all know what too much of that will mean - bye bye customers and adios paycheck.

I was eventually going to turn this into a blog topic myself, but no matter - it needed to be said and I'm glad someone here did it even if I was beat to it.

Yay syrrus - you get it!!

Yeah you dumn shit. I hate all fucking people like you, fricking jerks who like to escape your stinky steam on us (grocery store workers). Maybe he was tired, or he really needed to finish his job you fuckin dumb ass... And why people like you have to complain about every little thing?? (for instance, move boxes yourself, its your problem not his). So shut the fuck up and fuck you, and people like you...jerk.

You filled out an application while you were there, right? You apparently think you can do a better job. You stinking piece of shit, you make me sick! It's jerks like you that make me glad that my customer service days are over so I no longer have to deal with people like you. Stupid fucking jerk. I hope you rot in hell.

Some people just shouldn't work in a customer service industry. I work in customer service and have most of my life. The customer pays the checks and is the only reason you have a job in the first place. If you don't like dealing with customers, get a job where you don't have to. Of course, that's assuming you can find one.

I found a job where I don't have to deal with customers & love it. It's people like this guy that make me glad I don't have to deal with them anymore.

I am sure your customers and management love it as well. There are few thing worse than someone who chooses a service job and then has a bad attitidue toward the customers. I have fired people for exactly that reason.

OK - people who are using bad language and being offensive, you are not helping.

I worked in customer service for 8 years - through school and university. I was awarded the customer service award repeatedly at each store because of my generally bubbly attitude and friendliness towards customers. However, we are only people. Sure, it's not nice to be short with someone, and that guy should not have said what he did when you and other customers were in earshot (accept it - we all say it). But being in customer service, when you try your best to be friendly and the majority of people don't even acknowledge your existence, it wears you down.

Yes, we are paid to do our job. To me, that means being curteous to people. He was not. He was in the wrong. It does not, however, mean that we need to take crap from people. I have had people insult my intelligence, my right to be walking around free and my right to be breathing. I have been ignored. I have been called bitch, slut, whore, c**t, idiot, stupid, you name it. And I am a GOOD customer service representative.

When I go to shops, if someone is doing their job proficiently - and that doesn't necessarily mean with a smile on their face - I'm happy. We all have bad days. And we have days when customers - or c**tsomers as we used to prefered to call them - take their bad days out on us. It sucks, and it appears that it is a part of the industry. The sad thing is that the customer is not always right, and people have to be aware of this. A lot of the time, the customer is being demanding and overbearing and wanting something to occur that clearly can't.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. But please don't tar all customer service people with the same brush. If you have ever worked in customer service, I may appreciate your opinion a little more, but it is a lot harder than people think. Not because the job is techinically difficult, but because people think they can treat you as their personal punching bags. Maybe next time try a smile and say 'I'm sorry, would you please be able to move those boxes or pass me some eggs?' Any sort of direct order from anyone never comes across nicely.

But what would I know - I was only a lowly customer service person in those days

I agree, some customers are very difficult and abusive. That's where the manager has to step in. As a manager, I would never allow a customer to physically or verbally abuse a customer. But, it isn't the customer service rep's place to lash out at that customer.

My people had standing orders to hand over all extreme customers to me to be dealt with. I always had a knack of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they would be smiling and thank me for it b y the time we were finished. And of course when all else fails, throw them out and refuse them service if they are that abusive. My service people dealt with custoemrs in their homes in one industry I managed and they had orders to just pack up and leave if they couldn't deal with an overly abusive customer. (People are ta their worst in their own homes).

Under no circustances short of neing physically attacked (it happened) were they to be anything but professional with the customer. If the person starts yelling and cursing and being abusive, just leave and call me. I would go out and deal with that customer. I always enjoyed dealing with these people because I'm good at it and can usually get to the bottom of the problem and make sure it didn't happen again. And it helped to have the authority to deny them any future service. Nothing like a bit of leverage.

Yes, people can be difficult but that is where a little thing called professionalism comes in.

If they really can't handle the job, then they should let somebody who could take over, like me. 

Seriously, anybody who'd make a comment like that should just be fired.

You've fired people, huh? Boy, I'm impressed.

Hi all,
I am a manager who works in the retail enviorment. There are many reasons for poor customer service. The number 1 reason is mgmt.
Employees work up to the standard that is set by mgmt. Even in the event of a problemed customer, the employee should never be rude or
nasty. Also if the employee is that unhappy they should quit,or even better should have been fired by mgmt. In my store there is no tolerance for poor customer service. If there is an issue,the employee should get a manager. I also will say that there are customers that are just rude...Deal with it.

big L

The number 1 reason is mgmt. Employees work up to the standard that is set by mgmt

I agree completely Big L. The manager must set an example as well as the "ground rules".

midnight75, I can understand why you had difficulties dealing with customers. Your attitude pretty much tells the whole story. It's probably a good thing you found a job you like and don't have to deal with customers. Hope you fair better with coworkers.