I'm working at a store where there are a lot of tourists. I would understand if people asked "do you work here?" if I was on Yahoo answers, but it's when I'm cleaning shelves or pricing doodads. I don't get this.
2006-07-10 08:32:39 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
People are being polite. It happens a lot to start asking someone about some merchandise only to find out that the person is a customer. So to save the embarrassment many people want to be sure they talk with an employee.
2006-07-10 08:35:56 · answer #1 · answered by Milu 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It used to irritate me too, until I realized how pissed I got if people started talking to me if I was off the clock, lol. It's better when people ask, to make sure you actually do work there (I've been asked that before while I'm shopping, with a shopping cart in front of me, filled with junk)
2006-07-10 08:46:47 · answer #2 · answered by Agent Double EL 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give them a break. It is a transitional statement that unconsciously is supposed to make them feel more comfortable and at the same time make you realize that they need help, and you should switch from your labor task to a service task.
In addition it is a little more polite than asking, "Do you speak English?".
2006-07-10 08:37:14 · answer #3 · answered by cirestan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must live in Florida where all the tourist act retarded, actually I think its a bad habit . People ask stupid questions , its in our nature. When we are unsure about a situation or we are just retarded. Or just not paying attention. I personally feel retarded when I do it. No excuses for me.
2006-07-10 08:42:34 · answer #4 · answered by nocateman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many times when I've assumed one who was stocking, pricing, etc. was a store employee - I was wrong. Vendors/delivery people come in, and only work on their own products.
2006-07-10 08:37:54 · answer #5 · answered by Holiday Magic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are probably like me who have asked someone if they work here and have them answer me, NO. After two strikes it's better to ask and be sure rather than get the third strike.
2006-07-10 08:36:26 · answer #6 · answered by Shikibeeks 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish employees from other customers, especially if their uniforms are not distinctive, and often people don't just want to assume.
I have both asked this question and been asked as another customer.
2006-07-10 08:51:00 · answer #7 · answered by LindaLou 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because people are SO afraid of looking like an ***. Have you ever had someone say "I don't work here" to you? You feel so dumb. Try to cut them a little slack, it's become part of the national vocabulary, we can't not say it!
2006-07-10 09:05:21 · answer #8 · answered by kayleigh w 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is because people get all mad if you assume they work somewhere and they don't. They are just trying to be polite even though they come across as idiots.
2006-07-10 08:35:31 · answer #9 · answered by david s 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe they want to start a conversation and don't know the appropriate way to. if someone cute asks u that, pl don't get annoyed! Best of luck!
2006-07-10 08:36:46 · answer #10 · answered by Dhanashri 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋