Why are so many people rude to the workers in either food or retail stores?

Question

I mean, If I literally say hello! to people who walk in the store, they just look at me to shut up. Why can't people understand that we are just doing our job and trying to be friendly? Is everything really so corrupt that we can't even be civil to strangers anymore?

Answer 1

Because they automatically assume we're going to bug them, or try to twist their arm into buying something. These people don't really understand what retail is, especially in the clothing industry. There's no way we can twist somebody's arm into buying something. It's just not possible. You can't lie your way into a sale. It will always come back to haunt you in a nasty return!

Customers also get intimidated because they don't know the difference between different types of sales people, and how to handle each one's approach. Car salesmen are more pushy and aggressive than other salespeople, and their goal is the bottom line. Real estate brokers are primarily working for the seller, not the buyer, so they're not going to be as aggressive. Clothing salespeople and fast food workers are usually just trying to make an honest living, but people are rude to us because either they're having a bad day, and we just happened to be there, or they're threatened that they're on our turf. This does strange things to people, and causes them to lash out sometimes. It's really because of fear.

So, as a retail clerk or fast food worker, first make them see that you're a human. Look them in the face and smile, then say "hello." Who in their right mind wouldn't say "hello" back? You're almost forcing them to be nice, because you are so nice. If they end up taking an aggressive stance, and you keep your cool, always managing to smile in the process, then you have won. They will then have made themselves look just like the ***holes that they are. I hope this has helped. Try this approach. Believe me, it works.

Answer 2

Because they can!! some people are just nasty for no reason, dont let it get u down. I often judge my dates on how they treat wait staff, having done both waitressing and shop assistant in the past im always polite to them cos i know they do a hard job, but many people r rude because they dont dare to be rude to people in the rest of theirs lives. Although i always aknowledge staff I do hate the hard sell staff who wont leave u alone once u are browsing

Answer 3

Because they know they can be and get away with it for the most part. If you were to be mean back to them, they'd report you to the supervisor and you'd get reprimanded. I used to work in retail so I really feel for you. I don't think that everything is getting corrupt that is causing this - I think it's because people need to step on other people in order to bring themselves up.

Answer 4

I always smile and say hello. When I am in a bad mood I just smile and walk on sometimes. But when I make a purchase from a store or a drive through I always say thank you and have a nice day. --b/c they deserve that and do not hear that enough in my opinion.

Answer 5

I know what you mean. Some people do not know how to communicate. I am not trying to be a Abercrombie "hater" but everytime I walk in there they never say anything to me. When some girls behind me walks in, they ask them "how are you ladies doing?" This is the reason why I don't shop there.

Answer 6

Because retail and food service workers aren't HUMAN BEINGS. Duh. Anybody who works at a job like that obviously derves to be looked down upon. They are sub-citizens, after all. That's why we get to yell at them for things out of their control and talk on our cell phones while they try to help. It's not like any of them are going to school or working for the summer or trying to pay their child support or feed their family. If they were, they'd stop being so lazy and get a real job.

(Obviously this is sarcasm. I have worked retail and become a bit jaded.)

Answer 7

Because they figure just because you are paid to serve them you're somehow beneath them. Just remember one thing people you may think it's funny to give the girl at the drive thru a hard time. Just remember that somebody working in the kitchen thinks it's funny to put his penis on your burger.

Answer 8

They're bitter. They've received bad service in the past. They're unhappy somehow with the business and take it out on you. They're self-centered, greedy Americans who were raised without morals or manners. It's sad. Very, very sad.

Answer 9

If they can't speak enough English to do their job, I don't feel any particular impulse to be 'nice.' Those people probably shouldn't be in the country to begin with. If they're reasonably civil and can actually communicate, they get a smile and maybe a tip.

Answer 10

I am a customer serv operator for a top cellular company company. I think people today some how believe that the ruder they are you will some how fear them and give them whatever it is they want.