to say "No.. I just came in to admire the scenery"..
LOL..like at fast food places, banks, ect..they ALWAYS ask this..why? of COURSE they can help me, that's why I'm THERE..lol. If I could do it MYSELF I wouldn't be bothering THEM.
2006-08-25 03:08:38 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I would say
"Look, young mister/miss, it's "MAY I help you", not "Can I help you". Sheesh. No wonder you work here, your English skills are atrocious" :)
2006-08-25 03:11:33 · answer #1 · answered by rahidz2003 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You should be grateful that the person asking the question is being polite instead of complaining that they're trying to help you. I've worked PLENTY of customer service jobs, and believe me, saying "May I help you?" is not an easy feat when you're dealing with rude, obnoxious people all day long. And whoever said this first is right - they're SUPPOSED to say that. I doubt they would if they didn't have to, but they have to. And to reiterate what someone has already stated, they're usually thinking "Just tell me what the f*** you want and get the hell out of my store/restaurant so I can go home". I don't think there are enough people with manners in society today, so I cherish it when I get a nice, polite "May I help you?".
2006-08-25 10:29:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My personal response at times is that I'm beyond help, or I ask if they are qualified. In all honesty the question does seem a little redundant and pointless for them to ask considering the circumstances. Sadly it is a true sign of the times when Questions like that are mandatory "Ice Breakers" in the retail and fast food industries. At a Fast food restaurant I would prefer to be asked "what would you like to order today?" and actually that sounds pretty good "welcome to F*I*T*B______ What would you like to order today?" See it kinda rolls of the tongue doesn't it...
As far as can i help you is concerned No it is not Wrong to answer with sarcasm. If the question were an honest may i offer assistance type of question then yes but in the context that it is being asked feel free to be sarcastic. just not all the time.
Oh, and feel free to try my line. It really throws them for a loop. sometimes brightens their day and others... well let's just say carefull who you use it on.
2006-08-25 10:32:09 · answer #3 · answered by Patrick M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work at a financial institution and I never say: "May I help you?". I say things like, Hi, how can I help you? or, Hello, what can I do for you today?
First of all, a properly trained employee will address individuals with a two part greeting, a simple hello and then a question (preferbly an open-ended question). Secondly, "May I help you?" is a close ended question and does not allow the customer to share information. By asking an open ended question, you immediately find out why this person is here and how you could help them most efficiently.
To me, "May I help you?" is a bit rude.
2006-08-25 10:27:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I work in retail and the only reason why we say it is cuz we have to, if we dont then we get our *** kicked or worse sacked, it really sucks being on the other end, i think i said that about 1000 times today alone but hey i gotta pay de rent and my loan and eat when all you have to do is spend 2 seconds saying "I'm just looking thanks", in this crazy world of greed we live in just be nice and know that it is so freaking hard working in that environment.
2006-08-25 10:28:06 · answer #5 · answered by JD 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a nice way to start an interaction with you in order to get you the best service you can get. If they never ask that question and just started handing you food, etc., you wouldn't be very happy with your service because you might have gotten something you didn't want. They are trying to be polite,,,, quit being an ***!!!!
2006-08-25 10:54:20 · answer #6 · answered by Heather W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i know it may be annoying and you may just be ranting, but settle down. I say "may i help you" to my customers, and while you're thinking "of course you can help me!!", I'm thinking, "what do you want so that I can get you out of my store and I can finish doing whatever I was doing before you bothered me." So, appreciate the courtesy, because you would have a fit if someone actually said that to you (and not nicely)
2006-08-25 10:14:02 · answer #7 · answered by ALEXA S 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your in a Bank...fast food place..you just go to admire the scenery....Can i help you is a greeting.....
2006-08-25 10:13:08 · answer #8 · answered by babo1dm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having worked a few front desks, let me say that people should be grateful that they get, "May I help you?" when they approach a desk. What the representative is really thinking is, "What the f*ck do you want? It better be quick, because I go on break in 5 minutes."
2006-08-25 10:21:48 · answer #9 · answered by lcraesharbor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a consumer, if they DIDN'T, you would be offended, and you likely wouldn't shop there anymore.
It is expected and polite to engage in small talk, even if you don't mean it.
I, however, sometimes try to engage the clerk in an actual conversation and havea good chat :)
2006-08-25 10:40:09 · answer #10 · answered by kenny_the_bomb 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is a cute play on words on your part,
but,
it is a polite way of letting you know they are ready to assist you. I work in retail and I try to use phrases like that to let the next customer in line know that I am through helping the customer in front of them and am ready to assist them in any way possible.
So,
stop being cute and clever and be polite!!
2006-08-25 10:15:44 · answer #11 · answered by teacher 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋