If you were working at a place with a counter, and were facing in the other direction doing something else,?

Question

and a customer exclaimed, "HELLO!" to get your attention, would you be annoyed? Is this a proper way to talk to another person? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Customers are like that. On the other hand, you should have been aware that the customer had walked in, so, if I were your boss and I saw this, I would tear you off a strip for not being attentive.

Answer 2

For the customer's place, no it was not polite and actually qutie rude. The proper thing would be to either wait a minute, or to either say excuse me, or sir or a combination of the two (or mam if asking a woman). Now, people being people dont' care and want instant gratification.

Now, for your part, if you were talking, then in a way it's a deserved rudeness. If you were doing something important (your job)... then just take the comment with a grain of salt... because you will get people that are like this.. and personally, I wish that it would be ok to refuse service to them, but whatever.

Answer 3

Since when is hello considered rude or improper? Maybe you don't belong in customer service. I have worked behind counters before, and was never so engrossed in something else that I didn't know someone was standing there. If someone had said hello to get my attention, I would have said something like "oh, I'm sorry - I didn't see you - how can I help you?" I wouldn't have been annoyed.

Answer 4

Damn. I'd be annoyed. This is DEFINITELY NOT the proper way in trying to get a person's attention.. or talking at all, unless the person is joking. Talk about no manners.

Answer 5

It is rude, however, it would be improper and equally rude to respond in an impolite way. Of course you should be annoyed but don't let the other person know it, that gives them control. Simply turn around and say, "oh excuse, me I didn't hear you come in" and leave it at that, no need to apologize when you've done nothing wrong.

Answer 6

I think it's OK. Actually, when you work at a counter, you should always have your eye checking to see if there is somebody standing and waiting for you. If you are busy, then you should say, "Hello, I'll be with you in just a second!" And smile at them.
That will help their ability to wait patiently.

Answer 7

I would not be annoyed but i will address the situation when I come face to face with the person in professional way.

Answer 8

If I were doing something else as opposed to talking with a co-worker, for instance, yes, I would be annoyed and I'd probably show it in my voice when I said, "Sorry, I was just doing blah, blah, blah. May I help YOU now?"

Answer 9

No, that not so bad. It's better than "HEY DUDE" or "HEY YOU" or clearing the throat in an unnecessary way.
You think a bell would help? Just kidding. DING DING DING. Wouldn't that be awful!
You could just get into the habit of saying "I'll be right with you", that way they will acknowledge that you are aware that he/she are there.

Answer 10

Don't face in the other direction so you can see if someone comes in, it could be potentially dangerous to not pay attention, especially if you have money around.