Originally posted by Gregarious
One woman insisted that a mistake had been made on her order, and demanded the order be hers for free. I looked into it, and came back in defense of the poor college student. She caused a scene, and I did not back down. I really don't think that the customers there thought anything bad about our behavior, but rather hers. The other employees appreciated my standing up to her, for sure.

I'd always questioned, "The Customer is always right". Everywhere else in the world I've always understood right to be "right is right" no matter who you are. Yielding to truth to me is much more respectful than bowing to the dollar. I suppose we all have the right to choose our god.

[edit on 19-1-2009 by saint4God]

It's not that new a phenomenon. Back in the early '80s I worked in retail and came to the conclusion that 70% of the general public are nuts. One memorable example was when I was working in a DIY superstore.
Every Tuesday morning at about 1030 a guy in his 50s would go up to the timber department, select lengths of wood and then throw them across the floor angrily whilst shouting that none of them were the same height as his door.

This went on for three weeks and eventually my boss (who'd been a Captain in the British Army until he was dishonerably discharged - he never told me why, but I think I was about to find out) went for him.
My boss had his fist clenched and his arm pulled back about to let fly. I grabbed his fist just in time. It was a real Pythonesque "Don't kill the customers" moment. The guy never came back.

This may have already been said on this thread, I did not read the whole thread. But, in my opinion people are very stressed out. I know I have thrown a fit once or twice. I have never directed my anger against the grocery worker, or banker, or other retailer. Unless ofcourse they get cocky then I may direct my anger at them personaly. After a long day at work if I go into a store having an absolute craving for pepperoni pizza pockets and they aren't there I usualy wont throw a fit I would simply buy something comparable. But if I go into a store and want Lays potato chips and I cannot find them and I ask a clerk and they are a smart ass well then they may eat the nearest thing I can grab (literaly) before I would even realise what I was doing. I think most of this stems from our society being so over stressed. If an acual depression hit we might acualy be less stressed in that we will not be running the rat race everyday. When a parent works, weather single or not, we jugle so much. Bills, work, that ass hole at work, kids, teachers, laundry, preparing meals, houskeeping, laundry well it goes on and on so when something hits us the wrong way, well we SNAP. This is not uncommon, and I do not think it is personla tho the clerk. unless they were disrespectful first. I guess my biggest pet peeve is when someone works at the checkout and they are hatful as hell. I always say honey you probably only make $8.00 an hour, if you are that miserable quit, but do not take it out on me. Any way that is my take on it.

Think about the Africans who starve en masse and have been starving for at least as long as I can remember. I have never heard of the clans or tribes fighting over food, only the government taking away what the UN sends and then shooting them. Mogadishu.

yeah catamaran makes a good point on how people behave differently in a place such as Africa. Unfortunately I do not that fair share attitude will be as present if it is at all here in the 1st world.

Wow, the majority of people really act so childish when a product is not in stock?

That is a shame really.

The few times I was unable to find an item and I asked an employee of they had it, and they didnt. I have always said something to the extent of "oh thats ok Thank you for checking for me" Then I smile and walk away.

Why is it such a big deal that something is out of stock? Are you going to die with out hotpockets?

people take issue with such ridiculous things that it is mind boggling.

The few time I go to a fast food resteraunt and the cashier is new or doesnt speak english very well, so therefore they are a bit slow to get the order down I am ALWAYS patient.

That is mainly because I used to work fastfood and I recall how badly I was treated by customers... I vowed to never treat anyone that way.

I always encourage them to take their time and ask another employee for help if they need to. I tell them I am in no hurry. Before when A customer was hassling a cashier I have told them, "Hey I have an idea. Why do you get behind the register and take MY order. Let's see just how well you do. I bet you would do worse than the person taking orders now. If so is it ok for me to yell at you too? They shut up then.

peoples attitude in general is terrible. They expect what the want RIGHT NOW and IT BETTER BE PERFECT! They forget that these people are JUST HUMAN and are capable of making mistakes.

people be patient with others and learn that it really is not a big deal to have to wait 2 minutes to see if an item is in stock. You will live with out hotpockets. If an order is wrong, it WILL be fixed.

Ger over yourselves. They, LIKE YOU, are only human.

Originally posted by gimme_some_truth
The few time I go to a fast food resteraunt and the cashier is new or doesnt speak english very well, so therefore they are a bit slow to get the order down I am ALWAYS patient.

I agreed with all of your post apart from this part. If they do not speak English then they should not be working in the public sector in an English speaking country. I would not take that problem up with them of course (for a start it would be quite pointless) but in my opinion the management should be told that it is unacceptable to hire a person who is unable to understand the customer. It is unfair on the employee and the customer. If you are going to be speaking to English speaking customers then they should be able to converse in English with them.

-Cauch1