Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Being nice to cashiers

Collapse
This topic is closed.
X
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Being nice to cashiers

    This is a reply from a member at another forum I subscribe to regarding being nice to cashiers.

    There seems to be a perception among the public - at least among people who do not work in retail or other customer service roles - that the person behind the counter doesn't have a soul, they're a machine behind the counter to which one hands money, at one's beck and call, 24-7 in some instances, and on weekends and most holidays. Add to the burden of modern cashiers a 'script' they must recite, from corporate, about the benefits of this card or that promotion, or whom benefits from their purchases.

    This is a reply from another member of that forum to the reply above


    That is not the fault of the customer. The company you work for determines your work hours, and you either accept or reject working those hours. The company you work for makes you follow that script you're referring to. None of these things are the customer's fault.

    Also, most people go in stores to buy something, not to make friends with the cashier. They aren't treating you badly because they aren't being super friendly and talkative with you.
    By shopping in your store, they are helping you to remain employed and keep earning a paycheck. Be grateful for that.

    So how would you reply to either one of these members?

  • #2
    Quoth snugglegirl05 View Post

    This is a reply from another member of that forum to the reply above

    By shopping in your store, they are helping you to remain employed and keep earning a paycheck. Be grateful for that.
    I probably wouldn't reply, they seem like a troll. But if I did it would be something like this.

    "Why are you on this forum? I'm sure there are many forums dedicated to treating cashiers like robots, you would be better suited to one of those."
    Replace anger management with stupidity management.

    Comment


    • #3
      My reply to the second one:

      You are still interacting with another human being, who deserves just as much respect from you as you do from them. Just because they accepted a job does not mean they accepted being treated like dirt. Would you like it if a customer at your job snapped at you, threw things at you, or ignored your questions because they just HAD to be on your cell phone? Treat everyone the way you want to be treated. You'll be surprised how much more pleasant your day will be.
      When you start at zero, everything's progress.

      Comment


      • #4
        It is interesting that both statements are made with very broad brush strokes. Neither statement is 100% true and neither is completely false.

        In the end:
        1. People should treat cashier/CSRs with courtesy.
        2. Employees should show a proper work ethic and be thankful that they are employed.
        3. Employers should treat employees like the valuable asset that they are.

        And my skeptical being knows that this will never happen.
        Life is too short to not eat popcorn.
        Save the Ales!
        Toys for Tots at Rooster's Cafe

        Comment


        • #5
          What part of the job that cashiers sign up for includes this: "You must relinquish all your rights to be treated as a human being."? As a customer, you don't have to be best friends with a cashier, you don't have to marry them, all you have to do is be civil. That's not difficult.

          As for the whole "be grateful" thing, I find that really offensive. If the customer in question is a civil servant or on benefits, for example, then they ought to be grateful to me cuz my taxes pay for their wages/benefits. Bet they never think of it that way.
          People who don't like cats were probably mice in an earlier life.
          My DeviantArt.

          Comment


          • #6
            I'd ask the second person what they did for a living, and if they ever got treated worse than something you'd scrape off your boot just because they chose to accept that position.
            This was one of those times where my mouth says "have a nice day" but my brain says "go step on a Lego". - RegisterAce
            I can't make something magically appear to fulfill all your hopes and dreams. Believe me, if I could I'd be the first person I'd help. - Trixie

            Comment


            • #7
              How about the customers being grateful that someone is there to help them purchase whatever the items are? If it weren't for the cashiers, it would be a whole lot harder to exchange folding pieces of paper for actual goods...

              That's every bit as appropriate as asking cashiers to be thankful that customers are there to keep them employed...
              “There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old’s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged.
              One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world.
              The other, of course, involves orcs." -- John Rogers

              Comment


              • #8
                Quoth snugglegirl05 View Post

                That is not the fault of the customer. The company you work for determines your work hours, and you either accept or reject working those hours. The company you work for makes you follow that script you're referring to. None of these things are the customer's fault.

                Also, most people go in stores to buy something, not to make friends with the cashier. They aren't treating you badly because they aren't being super friendly and talkative with you.

                By shopping in your store, they are helping you to remain employed and keep earning a paycheck. Be grateful for that.
                Well, I'd have to respond to each of the paragraphs.
                #1: Yes, the company determines the hours...and then redetermines the hours. Or doesn't follow your availability or myriad other switches. That's not the employee's fault. And since when can someone reject working certain hours? If I don't come to work I get fired.
                #2 I actually prefer if the customers act like this. I hate when they try to pretend we're friends. But no, most people do not go in *just* to buy something, at least not in the upper midwest. They do, in fact, come in looking for validation. We all know this.
                #3 It's at-will employment. Customers have zip to do with my employment status. They do not determine my life's course. For them to think so is grandiose and arrogant.
                "Is it hot in here to you? It's very warm, isn't it?"--Nero, probably

                Comment


                • #9
                  Quoth snugglegirl05 View Post
                  [B] They aren't treating you badly because they aren't being super friendly and talkative with you.
                  Yeah, the problem is I guess people think there are only two ways you can act. The first way is to become BEST FRIENDS with the cashier, asking personal questions and learning everything about each other. The second way is not speaking or making eye contact with the cashier, or responding in any way.

                  ...but that's crazy, there is the glorious third way which is LIKE A NORMAL HUMAN BEING.

                  Hi, find everything okay?
                  Yup.
                  Your total is $ Have a nice day.
                  You too.

                  That's how 95% of my interactions with cashiers go. It's really not hard.
                  Replace anger management with stupidity management.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I'm afraid I mostly stick with basic politeness. Say hello, say thank you at the end, answer questions. They are human, but so am I and I don't really feel comfortable talking to strangers most days. The positions you copied are extremes. Many of us don't live at the extremes.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Thank you is powerful enough when you don't feel like interacting too much. So many cashiers get something far worse, making Thank you sound like a relief.
                      Customers should always be served . . . to the nearest great white.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Quoth Lace Neil Singer View Post
                        As a customer, you don't have to be best friends with a cashier, you don't have to marry them, all you have to do is be civil.
                        Just like with any other human being you meet.
                        Quoth notalwaysright View Post
                        Yeah, the problem is I guess people think there are only two ways you can act. The first way is to become BEST FRIENDS with the cashier, asking personal questions and learning everything about each other. The second way is not speaking or making eye contact with the cashier, or responding in any way.

                        ...but that's crazy, there is the glorious third way which is LIKE A NORMAL HUMAN BEING.
                        Or far too often, the fourth way: bully and harass the cashier until you get your way, or just to get your jollies.
                        I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem.
                        My LiveJournal
                        A page we can all agree with!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I'd tell that 2nd person to go to his nearest customer service place and apply. I definitely think there are some things you can't understand with unless you've been thru it. My late mom was one. RIP her soul, but she never worked in customer service and behave horribly to them. She just didn't understand. She was be sympathetic when I would tell her how they did it to me, but then she'd just do it again to someone else the next day....
                          Can't reason with the unreasonable.
                          The only thing worse than not getting hired is getting hired.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Quoth XCashier View Post
                            Just like with any other human being you meet.
                            Silly, cashiers don't count as human beings!
                            People who don't like cats were probably mice in an earlier life.
                            My DeviantArt.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Quoth notalwaysright View Post
                              Yeah, the problem is I guess people think there are only two ways you can act. The first way is to become BEST FRIENDS with the cashier, asking personal questions and learning everything about each other. The second way is not speaking or making eye contact with the cashier, or responding in any way.

                              ...but that's crazy, there is the glorious third way which is LIKE A NORMAL HUMAN BEING.

                              Hi, find everything okay?
                              Yup.
                              Your total is $ Have a nice day.
                              You too.

                              That's how 95% of my interactions with cashiers go. It's really not hard.
                              And as somebody who works behind a register, may I say that is perfectly fine. I've heard my coworkers (one in particular) end up telling customers half their life story, with the customer reciprocating. That's fine if both parties are fine with it. I'm not. Not to say I won't exchange or offer an amusing little tidbit from my day or my week if it seems relevant to the conversation, but that's it. I wrote elsewhere here how I've seen my a few of my coworkers squeal "Ooooh, what'd you buy??" when somebody comes in with shopping bags ... especially at Christmas. Or "Wow, you've done some real damage there!" -- with a nod towards the shopping bags ... especially at Christmas. Seriously? That is none of your effing business! But management encouraged this crap, to the point of calling customers "guests."

                              As for the second one, perhaps they should feel "grateful" that somebody is actually bothering to acknowledge their existence. That's a pretty crummy attitude. I'm hearing stories about big-box stores that plan to go completely automated (in terms of no cashiers) over the next few years. Hope the second customer enjoys ranting at a malfunctioning computer which very obviously doesn't give a shit about them or their complaints.
                              Customer service: More efficient than a Dementor's kiss
                              ~ Mr Hero

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X