13 Reasons why the retail employees being mean to the customer is the customers fault.

13 Reasons why the retail employee being “mean” to the customer is the customer’s fault

by Cappa　

1. Temper tantrums.
It seems as soon as a customer walks into a retail store they revert back to toddlers. Huffing and puffing until they get their way. This is intensely irritating. We as employees have rules to follow. These rules are in place for a reason, but customers seem to think if they throw a big enough fit, they will get whatever they want. So, the employee calls management, and the customer gets their way. So, now the employee looks stupid in front of the customer, and the customer now thinks they can get whatever they want. A vicious cycle that makes the employees bitter.

2. All employees are not mind readers.
“There is this movie with the guy from that other movie about planes.” Oh , yes that movie. Customers get infuriated when an employee cannot figure out what product the customer is looking for. Did the customer ever stop to think that their description is either too vague, or completely inaccurate? Of course not, the employee is just stupid and doesn’t know what they are talking about. Come prepared with what you are looking for, and the employee would be more than willing to help you find it. We are not telepathic. We wish we were; telekinetic too, then we could just move things off the shelf right into the customers hands.

3.You ignore us, we will ignore you.
GET OFF YOUR CELL PHONE! How does a customer expect good customer service when they are too busy talking on the phone. The customer can expect one of two reactions from the employee when they are on the phone. The first is complete silence. We hope you can read minds now because you are not getting as much as a total from the cashier. The second is that we will annoy you with as many questions as we can ask as loud as we can ask them. The employee does not like to be ignored anymore than the customer does.

4. We are not trying to give you a low five.
When an employee holds out their hand, it is for the customer to place payment in it. It is not the international symbol for please throw money at the cashier. No one appreciates things being thrown at them, especially when they are doing you a service. Just because employees are doing the customer a service, this does not mean we are servants.

5. Yes, it is raining outside, how observant.
“Hello, how are you?” says the employee. “Fine, you?” says the customer. “Fine.” replies the employee. Unless the customer has questions about the transaction in progress, the above conversation will suffice. Small talk is useless. It takes away from the employees concentration, and their efficiency. We know what the weather is like, we have been outside, and even if we hadn’t, the twenty customers before you had already given us a full weather report. We would, however, appreciate it if you would let us know when we have boogies.

6. Time management.
Things might happen that could cause a line, or a hang up at the registers. A store could be short staffed, someone might have called in sick, there could be a glitch in the computer system. Any number of things could cause the customer to have to wait a little longer. Shit happens. So, if you are pressed for time or on your lunch break, do not blame the employee for you being late to the engagements you have. The customer should shop when they have the time to shop.

7. If you want a personal shopper, hire one.
Employees are busy. There are things we have to do that the customer does not see. There are many tasks, besides checking out the customer that employees are expected to finish before their shift ends, as to not overwhelm the next shift. It is called “shopping” for a reason, that is what the customer is supposed to do, shop. We do not have time to find everything on your insanely long list because you are too lazy to look for it.

8. Stores are big.
There are thousands of items in a store, and just as many customers rifling through it. Employees try to be knowledgeable about the products they carry, but no one can know where everything is, especially if there are multiple departments. Product gets shifted around a lot, be patient if the employee has to ask where something is. At least we are asking, we could just lie and say we don’t have it.

9. If I can touch you, you are standing to close to me.
There is this thing called a “personal bubble.”  Most employees have one. When an employee takes a step back from a customer it is not a reason for the customer to get offended, you just invaded their personal space. It doesn’t mean you smell, or we think you are gross, we just don’t know you, and it makes us uncomfortable. This includes hovering over an employee’s shoulder. You wouldn’t want one of us doing that where you work.

10. Times change.
Things are not the same as they used to be. Change doesn’t have to be counted back like it used to, get used to it. Technology has made it so  employees do not have to do math. The computer screen tells us how much change to give you, and that is what we do. It is no longer a requirement to know how to count back change, and a lot of places do not train their employees to do this. If you are worried that the employee will give you the wrong change, then count it yourself. When a customer hands and employee a twenty dollar bill, and the employee says, “Out of twenty?” and the customer says yes, handing the employee the correct change after the amount is entered and the drawer opens is annoying, don’t do that.

11. We learned your code talk a long time ago.
“You look tired” and “are you having a bad day?” are two very inappropriate things to say to an employee. We know what they mean, and it’s rude. We weren’t having a bad day until you asked that, and you never know,  something really could be bothering us, but it’s none of the customer’s business. I’ll let you in on something: when an employee is short with you, more often than not, they are just busy and concentrating. They don’t mean to come off as rude, The customer is just being overly sensitive.

12. Getting the attention of an employee.
There are many ways to get the attention of an employee, and clearing your throat is not one of them. Tapping your fingers against the counter is not one either. Do not stare at the back of the employee until they turn around either, it’s creepy. If you say excuse me in a pleasant voice, you will receive a pleasant response. Most importantly, employees are not dogs. Do not whistle to get our attention and do not yell at us from across the store, it’s degrading.
13. The employee is willing to help you.
The customer would be more apt to get an employee to help them if they would just give the employee a fair chance. Becoming irate and immediately asking for management is not helping your cause. The nicer and more understanding a customer is, the nicer and more understanding the employee will be. If a customer does not get what they want, it means the customer was trying to get an employee to break the rules for them. YES, there are things management can do that an employee cannot, and that is fine. But, when you complain on an employee for not breaking protocol for you, it’s not worth the grief you cause the employee, because a customer has buyer’s remorse. If the customer would calm down and take a breath, they would realize that everything can be taken care of right there with the employee. If management is necessary, then the employee will get them involved. Besides, maybe the customer should take a look at their own behavior before pointing fingers at the employee. Employees are tired of being abused by the customer. The next time an employee is rude to you, go home and think about the situation. It may not have been as you perceived it. Everyone should have to work retail for a least a month, then maybe, if people knew what kind of hell we as employees go through, they wouldn’t be so quick to judge.