Friendliness of people in a customer service role

66Mustang

Do you care about the politeness and friendliness of people who are serving you? Does abrupt or rude service bother you, does polite service make you more content or do you value speed and efficiency more?

I am talking about anyone in a “service” type role, so of course shop staff, but also nurses, police officers, taxi drivers, etc.

Personally I can sympathise with someone who is doing an awful job having to deal with horrible members of the public for a low wage, and if they are grumpy I can totally understand why; but with that said, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t bothered by friendliness as I much prefer to interact with someone who is friendly and polite and would be more likely to go back (if I had the choice!) if they were more affable.

What about you?

janer1967

After working in retail for 30 years it can be really hard to get the right balance 

As you say some people don't want any interaction but for others it might be the only interaction they ever get 

We can't just presume it is elderly that are lonely 

Rude service assistant are not acceptable 

Personally I don't like chatting when being served in a supermarket but hairdressers and places you spend a longer period in I don't mind 

66Mustang

Interesting observations thanks for sharing @janer1967

I kind of know what you mean about the supermarket as when packing your bags as quickly as possible while they scan the food through its kind of distracting having to chat at the same time!!

Especially if you are like me and small talk doesn't come naturally and you have to really think what to say!

Sandy_123

I talk to any one me, at bus stop, check outs,  in the park lol. Plus people approach me, so rude not to talk back. 
I think we all like pleasantries from customer service. 

leeCal

I remember not long ago having to wait for a couple of minutes literally at the till holding a pair of shoes I wanted to buy whilst two shop assistants finished a conversation they were having about a recent holiday, that’s just one example of very poor customer service. I don’t like it at all and I certainly won’t be buying from that major shoe shop again. 

Ive dealt with the public a lot over the years and I’ve always tried to be polite and courteous even under provocation. If I could do it anyone else could too, I had a short fuse when young. 

Emilyb81

I am always thinking to myself after maybe speaking to a person in the chemist for example there is an extremely rude, snappy lady behind the counter and I've been going there for over 8 months now and it's always the same? She appears to be in a hurry to get away from you and her tone is very aggressive and just rude in general? I've heard her having a pop at others too while in the queue? And speaking to elderly people like they are stupid or 2 yrs old?! Thing I don't get is why would someone take or apply for a job where one of your main roles is dealing with people if you don't like people?? It's so bad that I actually have called ahead and checked who is working one the window/till?? Because I have my own self esteem problems and unfortunately people like her get to me quite badly! Anyway I don't understand why people serving on tills or answering phones for example are rude and behave like you are getting in their way by being there? For example...I know I would not be able to handle a job where I have to care for others because I have always said I'd not be able to switch off at end of shift?? I would be too involved and emotionally vulnerable etc so I wouldn't apply for a job like that if I was ever able to work again? So I don't get why someone would try to get a customer service type role if it's not something you enjoy or are able to do! And yes I know everyone has a bad day but I'm talking about people who are negative all the time or appear to be?!  That's my thoughts on the matter anyway! No excuse for rudeness? Especially when I for example am already struggling internally I don't need anyone making it worse! ?? I find speaking to people hard in general anyway so it only takes one bad experience to stop me even trying again for a while! 

Emilyb81

And a particularly bad experience with a taxi driver years ago stopped me using taxis for ages and they are my main way to get anywhere! So it really can affect lives ?

MarkM88

I come from a retail and customer service background. 

I always enjoyed the roles, I loved the challenge of going above and beyond where I could, I liked delivering exceptional service and exceeding expectations. 

Of course, it’s not possible all the time as some customers just want to be in and out but it’s still always nice to remain professional, friendly and approachable throughout. 

I ended up with responsibility for coaching and mentoring colleagues when I was a team leader and that was enjoyable too as it was good to see a colleague that had received a poor mystery shopping result get an excellent one the next time. 

I’ve had my challenges too, there are always going to be rude, aggressive, and just not nice customers. 

The drunk demanding more alcohol, the under age thinking they can pull the wool and try and buy whatever it is they wanted when they were too young, customers at Christmas fighting over the last bottle of cherryade and the best one was when I refused to let a woman cut in a very long queue at self scan over the Christmas period she threw her frozen turkey at me, lucky I was able to duck. 

The joys of people, customers and retail. 

OverlyAnxious

I hate conventional 'customer service'...but realise I am almost unique in that.  I just want to cut to the chase and get something sorted asap...don't ask how I am, don't ask about my day, don't offer me a 'sincere apology' (why does every every email I receive from CS start with this rubbish!?), don't comment on how 'great' a choice I've made (car sales people do this with every single customer, it's so obviously fake!), just get on with it...  Oh, and if a 'greeter' attempts to engage me in conversation when entering a shop or car forecourt I'll leave... 

I used to work as a till person in a small supermarket...needless to say it wasn't an ideal role for me!    

Having said that, I don't expect people to be outwardly rude on either side, I just hate the fakery and BS that we have to cut through to get to the point...which in my case is generally 'No we don't do that' after many emails back and forth.  I'd much prefer someone was actually good at their job instead of being hired just for their looks and 'people skills'.

66Mustang

woodbine said:

As for the police ... the vast majority of the population no longer trust them.

Not asking to be argumentative just something I'm just interested to know for my own curiosity:

Was that comment based on a source or is it more a general observation based on people you've talked to and that kind of thing?

PS I have family who were in the police and they wouldn't disagree with you.

66Mustang

@OverlyAnxious I agree about the "fakery". The thing that I notice is when they say something like "you made the right choice, the car below that is too slow and the one above it is not great value for money" but I'm sure if someone picked one of those other cars they'd have a positive comment lined up ready for them

66Mustang

@mikehughescq, I tend to agree with you there! Reminds me that at the surgery one of my favourite doctors is known to be very "matter-of-fact" and so is not the most popular but I like him because he does his job efficiently and gets results.

Lisatho11987777

In my job I serve alot of customers I am always friendly and chatty and have a laugh even when I have customers who are rude and abusive because they are drunk lol