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We've all been there. Some big lumbering guy goes up to you with an expressionless facade, and just blurts out "nails" without so much as an expression of humanity on his face, nor a hello.
Then when you say Hello, and wave a little, to initiate a greeting and friendliness, they don't say "Oh, I'm sorry, [i]hello![i]" but simply say "nails" again. Then you become concerned, and either just sadly point them to the right aisle, or even chance another meek "..hello.." in the most desperate hope that you'll get a rise out of him, ... just another "nails..."
I've grown a bit tired of it, really. My new plan:
My nickname is nails.
Or lumber, or caulking, or whatever else the person is asking for so impolitely.
SC: nails
Me: Yes?
SC: nails
Me: Yes? How may I help you?
SC: nails
Me: I am quite aware that you are talking to me, now what can I do for you?
SC: Are you dumb or something? Where are the fsking nails?
Me: The nails are in 15 with your manners there, buddy.
I swear, I've seen one of the sassy 40-year old thin-as-a-stick cashier/price changer gals do this all the time, and it just works so very well...
It's probably because she's older than they are, but doesn't look a day over 26.
Another way she combats rudeness is as follows: (And I have made up her name of course.)
SC: nails
Gal: Hi, I'm Gal! *Extends hand* Nice to meetcha!
Note how nothing pertaining to the actual item was mentioned just yet. The invitation for friendliness has been opened, and if the customer declines the friendly offer of a handshake and a name, -then- you can say "it's in 15 with your manners."
I have had a lot of managers sighing in disbelief about how rude people are these days, and have been passing on many of these experiences and tales of woe to the other sales clerks when we get in the door first thing in the morning. "Ugh, yesterday, I had this guy..."
I've even seen one of the corporate executives who was visiting the store witness one such transaction. When the customer walked away, the suit whispered to me "...what a jack@$$..." and went about his business. I beamed quite brightly for the rest of the day.
Then when you say Hello, and wave a little, to initiate a greeting and friendliness, they don't say "Oh, I'm sorry, [i]hello![i]" but simply say "nails" again. Then you become concerned, and either just sadly point them to the right aisle, or even chance another meek "..hello.." in the most desperate hope that you'll get a rise out of him, ... just another "nails..."
I've grown a bit tired of it, really. My new plan:
My nickname is nails.
Or lumber, or caulking, or whatever else the person is asking for so impolitely.
SC: nails
Me: Yes?
SC: nails
Me: Yes? How may I help you?
SC: nails
Me: I am quite aware that you are talking to me, now what can I do for you?
SC: Are you dumb or something? Where are the fsking nails?
Me: The nails are in 15 with your manners there, buddy.
I swear, I've seen one of the sassy 40-year old thin-as-a-stick cashier/price changer gals do this all the time, and it just works so very well...
It's probably because she's older than they are, but doesn't look a day over 26.
Another way she combats rudeness is as follows: (And I have made up her name of course.)
SC: nails
Gal: Hi, I'm Gal! *Extends hand* Nice to meetcha!
Note how nothing pertaining to the actual item was mentioned just yet. The invitation for friendliness has been opened, and if the customer declines the friendly offer of a handshake and a name, -then- you can say "it's in 15 with your manners."
I have had a lot of managers sighing in disbelief about how rude people are these days, and have been passing on many of these experiences and tales of woe to the other sales clerks when we get in the door first thing in the morning. "Ugh, yesterday, I had this guy..."
I've even seen one of the corporate executives who was visiting the store witness one such transaction. When the customer walked away, the suit whispered to me "...what a jack@$$..." and went about his business. I beamed quite brightly for the rest of the day.
And there are lots of book titles you can do that with.
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