Christmas Idiots

Hopefully everyone can pass this on to demonstrate how awful the general public can be to shop assistants:

2 days before Christmas in a retail environment is obviously going to be chaotic and busy. People are in a rush to finish (or begin) their Christmas shopping, spending lots of money and perhaps spending money they really don't have to spend. Because of the date, they might be finding their item is out of stock, they are realising that even though there is extra staffing, there is never ring to be a sales assistant and/or cashier for each individual and that lining up is going to be necessary. It's stressful for everyone.

This year had been pretty good. People in general have been accepting of the above, however, one "customer" took exception to having to wait: one of the girls at the counter in my store answered a phone call (yes, people on the phone are customers and are important too) between customers. She was on the phone for less than 30 seconds and this particular "customer" found the need to go up to her and spit at her because he wasn't served quick enough... even though there were other registers open and everyone else was waiting too!

I just wanted to put this out there so hopefully everyone can see that this is unacceptable no matter how stressed, impatient etc you are. This poor girl was a shaking mess after this incident. There was no need for it... I realise there are cases where there is bad customer service... we've all experienced it, but violence and this disgusting act isn't the way to solve anything. I have never behaved like this in a store even when I receive appalling service.



Rant over...

Disgusting

That is disgusting. I know people shouldn't stoop to other peoples levels, but spitting in someone's face is one of my pet hates, but I would have done it straight back. GRRRRR !

As a travelling businessman , I have seen all sorts over the years with the way some arrogant people posing as "customers" have some kind of god given right to treat people like dirt in hotels , restaurants and pubs and it really gets my goat . I have taken it upon myself many many times to intervene as these workers always have to take it on the chin and not respond, well not when I'm there. I'm so lucky I suppose that I've never had my head kicked in for some of my responses but it's something I just can't help. Damn good job I wasn't there for the spitter. It just shows what low lifes some people can really be.

I agree, he was "lucky" the girl that served him was quite young and was more upset than angered... I was furious when I was told... we have security footage and if he ever returns we will call the police, but she was so shocked when he did it, he was gone before anything could be done. I know there are consumer guides and they tell them their "rights" as customers and there are always people moaning about terrible customer service, but I think there needs to be a guide as to how to be a customer... especially during the Christmas/New Year period!

I used to work retail and am very happy that I don't anymore. I hope the poor girl was alright.

She is fine... she was just really shaken. I am working my way towards getting out of retail. It honestly makes me angry how people think they can treat a person in a shop differently to every other human being they encounter.

People seem to think that if they are going to spend a little money they are entitled to be an a#$%le

what a disgrace, some people are such scum!

davemck3834 wrote:As a travelling businessman , I have seen all sorts over the years with the way some arrogant people posing as "customers" have some kind of god given right to treat people like dirt in hotels , restaurants and pubs .

this make me think of a saying my dad told me "don't judge a man's character by the way he treats you, judge him by how he treats the waiter"

Good advice

Great advice!!!!

IMHO spitting at someone is an assault on that person of the worst kind. I have always considered spitting as the worst kind of insult and detest anyone who does so to voice dissatisfaction.

I dont blame the poor girl for being shaken. Can the police do anything?

Yes, we can report him to the police, as it is a form of assault. But, it just continues, yesterday a lady was swearing and carrying on, even though she was getting her way and she just wouldn't stop, I told her (calmly) not to swear and she told me to "grow up" and when I said we are not here to be spoken to that way she told me to "shut up and go away" This lady was swearing and yelling at a 16 year old casual employee. I guarantee that if anyone spoke to her grandson (yes, she was that old - old enough to know better) the way she was speaking to my staff, she wouldn't be very happy. I, for the most part enjoy my job. I just don't understand why people feel it necessary to treat people that work in customer service like rubbish. Yes, we do have feeling and no, we don't like being yelled at, sworn at and on occasion spat at because you're not having a good day.

that is terrible behaviour at the best of times but to spit at her the disgusting pig

being a london bus driver you get this all the time so much so we are now given dna kits {honest}that you can take a swob of the spit and the police can prosicute the offender for assalt.

It really begins to get you down I am looking at going from full time to part time just due to the stress customer service creates. I love helping people, I think it's great to be challenged with a customer's problem and going out of my way to help because I am paid to do that... but I am not paid, nor is anyone that works in customer service or who provides a service to the general public, to be treated badly just because people think they can

God that's disgusting. That poor girl. Some people have much too high an opinion of themselves to think they can get away with doing something like that!

pixie79 wrote:It really begins to get you down I am looking at going from full time to part time just due to the stress customer service creates. I love helping people, I think it's great to be challenged with a customer's problem and going out of my way to help because I am paid to do that... but I am not paid, nor is anyone that works in customer service or who provides a service to the general public, to be treated badly just because people think they can

here here

I came home close to tears yesterday - this woman was just an angry angry person and was giving me all sorts of abuse, about the size of carrier bags, about the sale prices, about the return policy for sale items - none of which I could do anything about, yet she just kept shouting at me, even though I apologised to everything she sad repeatedly. Then she went on to shout through the whole shop that I was doing a terrible job and was out of order, whilst her friend was draped over a couch that was display only. Luckily she wasn't so bad that she spat on me, but it leaves you feeling really nervous and shaken! Any customers afterwards must have thought I was an alcoholic with my shaking hands!

That is shocking that she was spat at. I have also worked in retail and the christmas period was just awful to work through. I hate shopping and especially when it is busy at christmas and I am stressed with kids in tow, but I would never ever treat staff like that. They are doing a job as best they can and trying to make it quick and easy for everyone. And I for one appreciate that and show them the respect they deserve because I know how hard it is for them!

Some people on this earth are just so vile, and need a massive kick up their butt to make them realise that it's not right to treat others like this!

sometimes Im ashamed to be part of the human race - saying that these people are not human they are monsters and a d*m disgrace and should be not allowed to get away with such disgusting behaviour

perry1960 wrote:being a london bus driver you get this all the time so much so we are now given dna kits {honest}that you can take a swob of the spit and the police can prosicute the offender for assalt.

This truley makes me want to throw up!

Fancy ... I always thought growing up meant you learned to control yourself and not swear?

linzy wrote:I came home close to tears yesterday - this woman was just an angry angry person and was giving me all sorts of abuse, about the size of carrier bags, about the sale prices, about the return policy for sale items - none of which I could do anything about, yet she just kept shouting at me, even though I apologised to everything she sad repeatedly. Then she went on to shout through the whole shop that I was doing a terrible job and was out of order, whilst her friend was draped over a couch that was display only. Luckily she wasn't so bad that she spat on me, but it leaves you feeling really nervous and shaken! Any customers afterwards must have thought I was an alcoholic with my shaking hands!

I know how you feel. I have worked in customer service for 17 years in some way shape or form beginning, like most, as a casual after school and on weekends and school holidays. I continued to work in retail because I just fell into it wherever I went. When I was younger it definitely upset me when people were awful... now it just infuriates me how rude and disgusting people can be. I hope you're okay... don't let them get to you and you can only apologise so many times... I have learnt walking away from them is the only way to cope.

That's disgusting, and certainly not called for....

I used tyo work in retail and I have had my fair share of abuse and rude people, but never anything as LOW as spitting

Well, I am now hoping that because it is a New Year, we will have a break now. Finger's are crossed for a positive start to the year