theHword.com

A few months ago I attended a Bill Engvall comedy show. My husband and I have been fans for quite a few years now and have seen several of his shows. Bill’s latest show is based around him getting older and crankier. While we haven’t reached his stage of life, there were some things that hit me and I began focusing on what has been bothering me for quite some time (and I mean for several years now). Am I asking too much in expecting quality customer service, regardless of the business I‘m patronizing?

As a mother with two small children, I’m trying to lead by example when we‘re shopping, dining out, etc. I look people in the eye. I try to say please and thank you at all times. I hold doors open. I try to smile. I will make small talk. I try to create a connection.

I’m not trying to sound like a demanding customer, in fact, I try to be the person I would like to wait on. I hope my former waitress and bank jobs taught me something about working WITH people and not against them. One boss in particular was very adamant about customer service and I learned a lot from her (thanks MS!).

So here are my main gripes (and this applies to retail, food, small biz, etc):

• not being greeted or acknowledged in any way;
• the person who looks annoyed the minute you ask for help;
• the person who-when they don’t know the answer to your question or where to look for the item you’re needing-simply shrugs their shoulders and says “I don’t know”, leaving you standing and wondering if anyone else is coming to help;
• the person who doesn’t thank you for your business so you (just to see what happens) thank THEM as you leave and all you hear in reply is “uh huh” (this is SO common with high school age kids lately–who is teaching this generation manners???);
• the person who doesn’t reply when you try a little chit chat just to be friendly; conversations via cell phone or among the employees that continue while you stand & wait.

I know I’m not the only one who feels this way on this issue because I’ve had discussions with others about it. I’ve wondered if some of this is discontent with the job or something more in the face of these economic times. Is it lack of training? Is it a generational issue? What happened to taking pride in your work? I’m curious to know your thoughts on this. Maybe it really is just me?!?!

About the author: Jill Kimle

Jill is a farm wife from the Kenesaw area with two BUSY children under the age of 5. She will admit to being in her upper 30's, and if you ask her specific age, she won't shy away from telling it. ("My kids will look at me in ten years and think I'm pretty old!")