My boss said a customer thought I was rude?

Question

I work at an EXTREMELY fashionable clothing store at the mall. Now to make a long story short, my daddy sent me to a charm school for spoiled young ladies several months ago, and one thing they taught us was to end each interchange with "thank you and good day" However, one of my customers told my boss she thought I was being condescending with the WAY that I said it and said I sounded like an OLD POMPOUS BRITISH man (her words not mine, no offense to our friends across the POND). My boss just told me to say "have a nice day", but that just seems insincere to me so I told her that and she said the problem is more of the WAY that I say it not really that I say it and that I AM A BIG GIRL (age not girth, mind you) and I should be able to figure out these things. Personally I think "have a nice day" is wrong and "thank you and good day" is better. My daddy has recommended I ADAPT to the situation and do what my boss says? Should I change for my sensitive customers? TYAGD!

Answer 1

Hi Lori. This is Lori. I would say that you were probabally coached as to what to say to people over you as well, and how to speak to your parents and such. I am sure that the finishing school was teaching you some good stuff, but at the same time, some peopl take everything wrong. I have been in retail for years and people have gotten mad at me for the stupidest things! You can always learn to be appropriate for the situation, whichis mor important than being formal in all situations, and this sounds like the perfect place to start. Try some other phrases that you like to hear when you shop. She what feels good, mix it up a bit and do not say the same thing over and over, you won't sound repetative that way and you will develop a little list of nice things to say that are good for different types of people. That will work at work, at home, at your Dad's house and aywhere else you go. Do not be afraid to use what you learned, but do not be afraid to adapt tot he situation either, it is not good to be so rigid! I say, "Thank you so Much! Let me know if I can help you again!" Oh, Thank you and have a really good day!" stuff like that. You can find a lto of others you can use and then read your customer. Just keep in mind you can't be everything to everyone, shake it of and keep smiling, I bet you are GREAT at what you do! LOVE LORI

Answer 2

Well, it's not about you, is it? It's about pleasing the customers first, and your boss, second. You do need to adapt to the situation, or your boss can fire you.
Over a situation like this, it's best to put your own feelings on hold until you punch out that clock at the end of your shift.
It sounds like both you AND the disgruntled customer have a thin skin. The term, "Good day," sounds as though you're imperially dismissing a serf from your presence, from an American point of view. But, always remember, The Customer Is Always Right.
If you can't deal with that, get a job where you don't have to deal with customers.

Answer 3

Unfortunately what you have been taught is not what your boss wants you to say. If you want to keep working for the clothing store, you have to use the wording that your boss prefers. My personal opinion is that adding the "and good day" is a bit short or pretentious or at the very least very old fashioned. I believe you should adapt as your father has suggested. The customers can be sensitive because they are "always right".

Answer 4

The problem with a site like this is we can't hear the tone.

And the tone is very important here. For example, if you keep your face bland and say Thank you and good day without a smile, it could sound "clipped" which will cut the end of the word a bit and sounds pretentious.

On the other hand, if you say it with a sincere smile (remember, she just paid your salary!) then it will be more likely to sound sincere.

However, changing what you say may be better. If you don't like have a nice day, think of something else like Thank you and be sure to check out our specials next week.

Or even just a sincere Thank You with a bright smile will help.

Answer 5

You could fight this on grounds of discrimination of your upbringing/accent. Is it worth it? Maybe. Evaluate the situation. Your father has a point, but so do you. Tell your boss if it happens again, then you'll deal with it. But one strange person who has a problem with "the way you said it" is probably just one nut.
This happened to my wife (she's English, but it's been years since she's been there and her accent is so watered down as to be hardly there). It was discrimination. The person apparently had never dealt with people who learned to speak in a cultured fashion and took it as insulting.
By the way, how old are you? calling you "A big girl" can be discrimination too.
But I'd say tell your boss you won't give in to bigotry.

Answer 6

You just need to switch it up a bit. like i do.
Thanks and you have a good day
Thank you, have a good night.
Find other words to interchange with good, like wonderful.
Enjoy you day. Have fun at the beach, party, golf course, first date, movies or where they're planning to go after they see you. If you remember one significant detail about their day, it seems more personable, and some people appreciate it.
Smille and look at them when you say it, too. not when youre turning around or putting money in the til. Have fun with your thank yous, aim for one new version each day, and switch it up every so often. You can call old ladies hon if you want.

With the customers like that, though, just tell them to have a absolutely wonderful day with a huge grin. It's just a giant f-you in your head. Reserve all those adjectives for the crabbies.

Answer 7

Well yes thank you and good day, could sound kind of curt I guess .Why not just say thank you and you have a good day. Of course if you say it like a snot, it probably won't come out right anyway. Daddy must have thought you needed a little brushing up on your manners if he sent you to charm school.

You know it costs nothing to be kind and you might have better relationships with your customers and your boss and other employees. Just a thought. You have a good day now.

Answer 8

Rule 1 .) The customer is always right.....

Rule 2.) If the customer is wrong see rule 1


Do what your boss says,

See George Carlin RE "Have a nice Day"

Answer 9

no you should change because your boss told you to...the sign on the fashionable store isn't your name...until it is, you don't call the shots...if they tell you to wear buttons, smile at customers, and flap your arms like a chicken, you either do it or quit...there is no adaptation going on...you say what you are being commanded to say or you can hit the door and let someone else get paid to say it the wrong way...

Answer 10

Need a shark skin to work in retail (I've said this before).

People often express their disatifaction to retail staff for whatever is bothering them and are impotent to change things. Don't take it personally.