I'm not here to socialize; I have a job to do

[Food Lady]

Background: We have a group of seniors who come to the mall every single day to walk (read: drink coffee in our cafe for 2 hours). We lost many of them to McDonald's (a good thing) due to a price hike and some of them getting called out on stealing. There's a small group that still comes in. I haven't worked cafe for a couple of years, but have been conscripted until we can hire new people. [/Background]

My boss came to me tonight and said they complained about me. Now, their complaints got me put on probation a couple of years ago. The complaint this time is that I don't want them there. I don't really. I struggle to get stuff done while employees in non-mall stores have the luxury of being left mostly alone in mornings. It's not that I have to serve them--all they want is coffee--but they want me to stand around and talk to them, as my coworkers do. I'm not rude; I answer any questions I'm asked, but I don't give long answers. I don't have time; I have food prep to do because the other customers beside them might want to buy food. I try to get it done by the time the mall stores open, since I get a bit busy then. The seniors are oblivious to this, as they leave at that time. I am not rude to them. I greet them, serve them, make sure there's coffee, say "thank you". I don't treat them any differently than any other customers. And that's the crux of the problem: their "I've been coming here for years" entitlement complex. Too many complaints could land me on probation, but I'm probably fine because my boss defended me to them, told them not to take my personality personally because I have a lot to do, and my coworkers shouldn't be standing there talking to them. Also, her boss' reaction was, "Who cares?" and then, "Why [don't they like you]? Because you don't stand there and BS with them for a half hour?" Yeah, management sees my coworkers wasting time. But I don't know how upper management sees this.

[ShootMePlease]

I totally understand where you're coming from.

I don't mind talking to customers and having a laugh with them, but there are some who monopolize your time when you have other customers who need help or you have other work to do.

I just try to be as diplomatic as possible and excuse myself. This is a lot easier when I have the earpiece and radio as I can pretend that someone needs me and say "I'm on my way" and leave.

[BeenThereDoneThat]

Hopefully the suits in charge will also take the attitude that standing around chewing the fat with the retirees isn't going to make them any money and they'll just ignore it. I'm sure when these customers were in their working days, most of them weren't allowed to spend their time on the clock making small talk with others.

[Kristev]

I have to say, up until today, I was more like you. I was there to work, not chat all day.

[RealUnimportant]

Your immediate management knows the issue, and as such is highly unlikely to put you on probation & probably would prevent anyone higher up unconnected to the situation from doing so either. Just do what you need to do; remember, those old folks would be first to complain if you were socialising with someone else & not serving them!

[Food Lady]

It all comes down to this: In the last year I have been constantly judged for how people think I feel rather than how I perform. It's always, "You accomplish a lot and do a great job and we can count on you, but you feel this way and someone complained." All the complaints this year have been that way. I find it ridiculous and I resent it. I've said it many times: no one gets to tell me how to think or feel.

[Laund-o-rama Mama]

It all comes down to this: In the last year I have been constantly judged for how people think I feel rather than how I perform. It's always, "You accomplish a lot and do a great job and we can count on you, but you feel this way and someone complained." All the complaints this year have been that way. I find it ridiculous and I resent it. I've said it many times: no one gets to tell me how to think or feel.

I think that's ridiculous, too. I can relate, you're kind of like how I am.

I'm polite, hard-working and dependable. But I'm also somewhat introverted, and unless I'm in the right mood or I really "click" with someone, I'm just not going to stand there and talk all day long. (And even if the above conditions are met, I won't talk too long because my sense of duty prevents me from doing that.)

While I've never had any complaints per se, I have had people half-jokingly remark that I'm "all business" and such a "hard worker". Oh well!

[AyreBiskits]

some people just live to complain. you do your job perfectly, you're ultra-polite and very professional and someone complains because you have white socks on when they think you should be wearing blue socks because they like the color blue. you can not please everybody everytime. they will find the tiniest thing to complain about because it makes them feel good.

[emax4]

... no one gets to tell me how to think or feel.

That's a GREAT quote, and all managers and workers should be aware of this, no matter what profession they're in.

[Food Lady]

Well, whatever my boss said to them changed things. They were really nice to me this morning and left me alone. And one lady kept saying "We know you don't like it back here." (not true, really) I think they felt bad about complaining.

[barainga]

Reminds me of saturday night at the call center. I had agents get tied for an hour or better because some customer wanted to use a cellphone center call agent like a Dr. Phil help line, family counselor, and what not.

I had a few ladies say, you sound like such a nice young man. Would you go out with my daughter?

Knowing how batshiat crazy mom was you can be damn sure I would NEVER date any of their daughters. But I was always nice about it and pointed out how I was in a different state and that long distance relationships are tough.

[XCashier]

Knowing how batshiat crazy mom was you can be damn sure I would NEVER date any of their daughters. But I was always nice about it and pointed out how I was in a different state and that long distance relationships are tough.

Just tell them that you're married. Hey, you're on the phone and in another state, they can't see if you're wearing a wedding ring or not!

I had a call like that yesterday. Lady wanted to pick up something she'd special ordered, then went into this long, convoluted story about which member of her family was going to pick it up, first it was her daughter, then her husband, etc. etc. I don't need a soap opera! Figure it out amongst yourselves who is going to pick it up, then call and tell us, and keep it short and simple!

[Food Lady]

^ We get people doing that, too. Doing it during a return makes you look guilty. I don't really care why you're returning it.

[depechemodefan]

Just tell them that you're married.

I imagine then they will ask if he has kids, why not? or if he answers "yes" they want to know all about the kids. ugh.

[EricKei]

So...Just tell them "well, you just bought a Senior coffee for a quarter, so you've already used up the time you paid for in the last 5 seconds. Have a nice day!"