How come janitors always say hello when they are picking up the garbage?

Question

Are they expecting a tip?

I am currently at work at my father's firm and the janitor's always say hello to me. why?

I don't want to talk to them, is there someone I can talk to about this? My father doesn't own the building, just the business here in Washington DC on the 39th floor.

glavendale you do not know me to be insulting.

are you kidding me? I am not rude, I say hello back. I just don't feel comfortable talking with them because they creep me out. They handle garbage for goodness sake.

Answer 1

No they aren't expecting a tip. Consider that they have a very boring job that doesn't really allow for much human contact...

Say hello back and make their day a bit nicer.

Answer 2

That's amazing, you say you aren't being rude or prejudice but in your next comment you say I don't want to say hello they take garbage for gods sake. Like you, I have had a very privileged life. I don't have to work for anything if I don't want to. Recently I had four months off for an operation. So I am giving you the idea that I am probably on the same playing field as you. Also considering Sydney Australia is a much more expensive place to live in than Washington D.C. I would feel more sorry for the janitors having to talk to you than you talking to the janitors. You have no class what so ever. Remember money comes and goes and when you step on everyone make sure you don't have to kiss their behinds on the way back up if you fall.

Answer 3

The janitor is a representative of his employer - be it the building or a general contractor. You are his client. It is his duty to be as polite as possible without interfering with his work, of course.

Recognizing your existence is a polite thing for any contractor to do.

The polite thing is precisely what you are doing - a quick nod and "hello" is enough.

Now, if you need something done, such as help cleaning up after the potted fern you upset in the lobby, it's a nice thing to look him in the eye and say, Thank you very much Mr. ____last name___ for your help.

But you really don't need to gush or go into the whole what-have-you about what happened to the plant - just a thank you Mr. ___ for your help.

However, - Washington DC (my home town) is classified as South. It's a well-known fact that we Southerners are inordinately polite - we have to be - if you've ever spent even part of the day in a Southern Summer - you'll understand that everything gets pushed to the limits. Manners and such are a way of easing tensions etc.

In other words, lighten up, Missy, He's being a polite, respectful employee - and you should appreciate it.

Answer 4

Why don't you put the shoe on the other foot what if you were a janitor and had to pick up trash all day for a living? If you took the time to be friendly and say hello wouldn't you want them to respond back to you? You should not judge a book by it's cover just because you come from a family with money doesn't make you a better person on the inside than the person that has to work hard for their money. Just because they pick up trash doesn't mean they can't go home and take a shower. What makes you so much better than them? You can take as many showers as you want be that still won't help your arrogance. You should treat all people the way you want to be treated.

Answer 5

I know this may be hard for you, but put yourself in this person's shoes mentally...

I bet he's bored and really doesn't have many friends around the building because janitors are always on the move and can't really talk long to begin with. Many of the janitors in our building say Hi to us. But it's a way to have a little social life in the day for a job that normally people shug off. I'm sure it's gets very lonely for them and the best thing is to just say Hi back. It's not hard to do and it'll make there day a little better.

If you feel extremely uncomfortable because there is more then just a "Hello, how r u?" then you should question it further. but until you feel otherwise just think how boring it must be to have no contact or people to talk to.

Answer 6

Janitors are people too...

Sounds like you could learn a few social graces from the janitors!

Maybe you should take care of your own garbage for a few weeks! Just because somebody does something that is menial, that does not mean that it isn't essential!

IMO: Your first job at daddy's firm should have been as a janitor! (Many executives start their kids out that way just to break the "class attitude" habit.)

If you plan on being an executive, you should learn early that the janitorial staff is an excellent information resource. They know EVERYTHING that's going on!
.

Answer 7

You sound exactly like a snob.
If you don't want to talk to them, don't even bother to say hello. They will get the idea and eventually not try to be nice to you.
What would you do if there were no janitors? Walk around in your own filth or would you pick it up?
Unfortunately, snobs are too lazy to pick up after themselves, which is one reason janitors are necessary.
Snobs are often just confused slobs.
((Obviously wrapped up in your money because you think they want yours))

Answer 8

And they probably dont want to talk to you either if they knew what an arrogant little rugrat you were. What's so hard about saying 'hello' back? Nobody asked you to have a conversation, all they're asking for is a little bit of validation for their existence since they do the lowest job possible in society cause unlike some lucky people, their parents probably amounted to nothing. Have you heard about kindness and consideration? cause you have no excuse for your rudeness unless you want to become lower than the garbage they have to scrape up for a living.

Answer 9

Take it easy! Just because someone handles trash doesn't make them less of a person. Also, what would your place of work look like if they weren't there? It's hard enough just keeping up a house with two people in it. Perhaps you could thank him for doing such a good job. Are you willing to do it yourself?

Answer 10

That's sounds pretty damn rude to me. The janitor doesn't want a "tip" he's not looking to benefit from you. he's merely making small talk and being polite by saying "Hello." When you enter someone else's space you say "Hello," it's called manors. Remember janitors are "people" too.

Answer 11

Because they are being polite..... when you see someone, it's polite to say hello or good afternoon. Janitors deserve respect, too. They are doing honest work, and are not "less" than you in any way. Since you have to be told this, and they don't, I question how you were brought up.