Why is it that you ALWAYS hear about rude sales associates, etc.?

Question

But you never hear about how the customer talks or acts to the sales associate/waiters/etc.

At my job we are constantly being told "Customer First" but it is VERY hard sometimes when the customer is calling you vulger names or saying that you're stupid.

Why is our "poor" treatment of them unacceptable but their "poor" treatment of us permissible?

Answer 1

I know what you mean. I work in a public library and the attitude and behavior of our patrons sometimes is outrageous. I am talking about ADULTS, not children.

We have some who call us and give us a very hard time. When we cannot help them (information not available, books or videos checked-out, etc.) they give us heck!

We have a very hard time managing our computers. Adults want to get on them and stay on them. They forgot what they learned in kindergarten about sharing.

It's a shame we can't say back to them, "Your behavior is not appropriate. I will help you when you speak to me in a civil and polite tone." If I said that at work, I would get into trouble with the library director.

Answer 2

I know about this also. Although I am not in the sales line anymore, I was before and have that "customers are always right" statement.

I find this very ridiculous, as I know that there are customers who will abuse this, so many sales people have to maintain their cool towards such people.

I have gone shopping and sometimes I am very turn off by the way some customers are treating the sales staff. I just don't understand why these people cannot think as not all matters should be reported as poor sales service.

Hey, the customers may have a bad day, but what has it got to do with these sales people, they are not the ones who had angered you. Why treat them in this way, they are also working to feed themselves.

If only I am a boss, I would make sure that I do not stress that "customers are always right" statement on my staff. Of course I would welcome reports or complaints, but I would access the situation before deciding on who's right or wrong. So what if I lose this customer, at least I know that I have not helped the wrong person, my conscience is clear. I am not sure, but I hope that at least I can have the loyalty of my staff

Answer 3

Bad news travels fast I guess. But you know what, there's that little thing called Karma - whether these people realise it or not, they will get what's coming to them.

I've got a sister-in-law who works in a supermarket and she and her colleagues always joke about how they want to double scan items just to get revenge on rude customers. They don't ever do it of course because then they're simply sinking to the customer's level.

If it helps at all, there are some of us customers out there who do notice the good job you do and actually do let your managers know when we're happy with the job you've done.

And the others who've answered already are right, the customer is paying the store / place you work for in order to be treated in a certain way and that's as if they're completely right and you're a friendly yet relatively mute labrador willing to be at their beck and call like the good little retriever they expect.

Personally I find customers like this to be disgusting and haven't hesitated to let them know this as a fellow customer because there's nothing worse than seeing a poor sales assistant get yelled at by a rude customer and have no-one help them. It's not fair and you deserve much better than that!
You've got rights as well and if your management don't step in and stop customers that are rude then you need to pursue that with your management and demand that they look after you better. Their job as management is not only to keep the store running but also to keep the staff going and that's keeping you happy and coming back to work! Make them do their job if it's not being done properly - it's your RIGHT!

And, by the way, my sister-in-law HAS told customers to feel free to pack their trolleys up and find another aisle or line up at the end of her aisle and wait their turn all over again if they can't calm down and be polite. Don't be afraid to be assertive - well, just make sure you can't lose your job over it - that's all. After doing this to customers who were repeatedly rude (each time she made rude customers line up again, she got applause from all the other customers lined up and waiting to be served) her management noticed and she's now transitioning into a supervisory role and as a supervisor she doesn't take any crap from customers - she's polite but still assertive and she sticks up for her staff.
Good luck and keep up the great work!

Meg

Answer 4

Because some customers are extremely difficult and you cannot please them, no matter what you do. Some people would complain if they were good looking!!

Being in the customer service industry is not easy.

I used to be in I/T support, and people would act like their particular problem is the most serious thing on Earth, and they would declare that this is URGENT. They all used the word "urgent" to describe everything. After explaining that there were dozens of similar calls in the queue, I finally started telling that that airplanes flying into tall buildings is urgent. As for a printer problem, they could network to the nearest LAN printer 15 feet from their desk. Poor darlings.

Also, there is this distorted image that the customer is always right -- not so, when they are rude bigots who insult others for no reason!!

Answer 5

It is all about money and public image.

You have to develop a thicker skin and a better attitude. If you can't or won't do either, then find another job that is better suited to your skills.

Don't take things personaly. People are going to be jerks and I am not saying that the way they treated was right. But I am saying that you can't hold grudges and that you have to move on.

If you keep your self in a good mood - people will respond to it and treat you better. If you are in a bad mood - people respond to you in a bad mood. You just have to realize how much power you have. Keep a small mirror near where you work. Smile into it. Always be smiling. Yes - I know it sounds corny. But surprisingly the small mirror works. Even though you will still get jerks, by you being in a better mood you will be able to handle them better. Believe it or not it works.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Obviously, the main goal of any business is to make money. If customers are satisfiesd they come back. Ultimately, you're nice so you get payed. Not everyone is mean like that, and it's unfortunate that what you do puts you in that sort of situation. The only thing you can do is try your best to be a patient, hardworking employee. As to why we always hear about rude service, many people need to brag about how unfairly they were treated and how they took care of it. Altimately, people just need something to talk about.

Answer 7

there are 2 rules in business
rule 1: the customer is Always right
rule 2: In the unlikely event the customer is wrong, SEE rule 1

Answer 8

because they think that they are better than you. i also work in a customer based work place. whenever we are faced with this problem we are told to stay calm, and after a while they calm down in response, and whatever they say they usually retract from that statement. try to form a conversation about their day, and form a parallel, and that will form a great lifetime and happy customer.

Answer 9

Because your not paying them

It like that in life but when your not on the job you can be just as rude as them if you choose

Some people are just mean and are looking for a fight so just sereve them and be quiet....
unless your looking to get fired than by all means speak up

Answer 10

Look for another place of employment.

I've worked in retail and yes people can be rude. However you don't have to go to work and be verbally abused by anyone. If management is allowing this to happen. Get out!