So it's officially December! Do you know what that means? Christmas is right around the corner! And that means you will be spending lots of time shopping for the perfect gift for everyone on your list!
It is also the time of year when many of us expose our inner grouch that wants things how we want them when we want them. Those desires usually fall upon the retail workers that are helpless to stop you from feeling how you are.
I recently (when I say recently, I mean 6 months ago) got my first job out of college. I work at a Golf Course that gives me a taste of what I am sure that I dished out for years as a customer. Here are a few things that I was reminded of being on the receiving end.
1. Give them a chance to get to the counter.
Maybe you have a cart or shopping bag full of items you want to purchase or maybe you want to buy one small thing that is kept behind the counter. But alas, despite your efforts of racing to the register as fast as you could, there is no one standing behind the counter at the time.
Every store strives for excellent customer service. But you know what the sales associates and cashiers strive for? Five minutes to go to the bathroom or eat their lunch before that incessant bell starts ringing. Give them a minute. They know you're there and will be with you as soon as they can.
2. That employee may not have all the answers.
Whether that individual is training, or maybe are just filling in as holiday help, we always expect them to have every answer we need. You can be sure they will try to give it to you or find someone who can, but do not threaten to get the manager just because they don't know why the extra stretchy pants do not come in your size.
3. They're just as tired and stressed as you are.
You have a to-do list a mile long. Drop off kids, Christmas shopping, wrap gifts, pick up kids and then it all starts again. So, naturally, you want things done on your time table. But your time table does not match up with the store time table and that makes you angry.
Maybe the cashier you are dealing with just found out they are working a double because someone called out, so now their to-do list gets put off. Maybe that sales associate is a college student that was up late cramming for finals and then up early to open the store.
4. Things usually go a lot smoother if you know what you want and have all of your purchases when you get to the register.
I feel like this one speaks for itself, but if you have to keep leaving the line or asking someone at the register for something mid- transaction...well eventually it will not be pleasant for anyone in the store.
5. Not every employee will be bursting with sunshine.
Just as you have bad days, employees have their own. If an employee does not have a smile glued to their face, maybe cut them a little slack. Sure it would be great if all employees were happy all the time, but couldn't the same be said for customers?
6. Your child ringing the bell for no reason is not cute.
We might smile and try to laugh it off, but that sound gets extremely annoying when you hear it all day. When someone is ringing it just for the sake of ringing it we do get bothered by it.
