Not so minor annoyances.

[unassuming]

I've worked in retail, you complainers do realize that some of these cashiers/customer service people have a mandate/procedures on how to interact with customers don't you? , so they have to ask you these so called "annoying" questions. There are "mystery /under cover shoppers" that are hired by the retailer to grade the employee's interaction with customers. How they are graded is reflected in their performance review by the manager.

Example:
Were you greeted by an employee?
Were you offered assistance?
If your item was not in stock, did employee offer you an alternative?
Did employee inform you of total of purchase?
Did employee count change back to you? (if you paid by cash)
Did employee ask you for method of payment?
Did employee offer you a bag?
Did employee thank you for your business?

 

[Jenesis]

I've worked in retail, you complainers do realize that some of these cashiers/customer service people have a mandate/procedures on how to interact with customers don't you? , so they have to ask you these so called "annoying" questions. There are "mystery /under cover shoppers" that are hired by the retailer to grade the employee's interaction with customers. How they are graded is reflected in their performance review by the manager.

Example:
Were you greeted by an employee?
Were you offered assistance?
If your item was not in stock, did employee offer you an alternative?
Did employee inform you of total of purchase?
Did employee count change back to you? (if you paid by cash)
Did employee ask you for method of payment?
Did employee offer you a bag?
Did employee thank you for your business?

old people just like to complain. I can’t wait until I am old enough to do it for no reason.

oh and if the OP thinks the waitress is bad, try being a hooker. Do you know what it is like to text with someone and every other word in their text is “baby”.

how are you baby? Where are you working today baby? What are your services today baby? Any specials today baby? Baby I’d really like to see you baby. You’re so hot baby

and on and on and on.

 

[johnd5050]

I've worked in retail, you complainers do realize that some of these cashiers/customer service people have a mandate/procedures on how to interact with customers don't you? , so they have to ask you these so called "annoying" questions. There are "mystery /under cover shoppers" that are hired by the retailer to grade the employee's interaction with customers. How they are graded is reflected in their performance review by the manager.

Example:
Were you greeted by an employee?
Were you offered assistance?
If your item was not in stock, did employee offer you an alternative?
Did employee inform you of total of purchase?
Did employee count change back to you? (if you paid by cash)
Did employee ask you for method of payment?
Did employee offer you a bag?
Did employee thank you for your business?

If these questions relate to individual performance reviews, who and how are these questions asked ? Where are they recorded ?
Seems to be an overkill for minimum wage jobs.

 

[johnd5050]

Just curious... what words would you like the clerk to say to ask you how you would like to pay?

Cash or Credit

 

[unassuming]

If these questions relate to individual performance reviews, who and how are these questions asked ? Where are they recorded ?
Seems to be an overkill for minimum wage jobs.

The undercover shopper fills out a questionaire of their shopping experience after they leave the retail establishment. The results are then sent to the manager.

The reason for the mystery shopper is to have the retailer improve their customer service via improved employee performance.

 

[johnd5050]

I stopped for launch, the other day, and the waitress insisted on calling me "sweety", "honey", "babe" and I found it very, very annoying; so much so that I asked her to stop. She was very surprised at that and taken aback. She really thought that she was offering a superior customer service.
Another thing that annoys me to no end is when clerks dispense with the customary "may I help you?" and switch to "yes?". My normal answer is "no" followed by a rebuke.

I have to agree being addressed as "sweety, honey, babe etc by an unknown female is too personal especially when you are with a date.
I told a waitress long time back that I am not her honey, babe or bitch so cut it out. She turned red in the face and had the deer in the headlights look.
Lack of proper training and etiquette.

 

[Jenesis]

I have to agree being addressed as "sweety, honey, babe etc by an unknown female is too personal especially when you are with a date.
I told a waitress long time back that I am not her honey, babe or bitch so cut it out. She turned red in the face and had the deer in the headlights look.
Lack of proper training and etiquette.

Except that is what they are trained to do. To be pleasant and endearing. To be personable. I have a family member who works in the restaurant industry and she has had to stop managers from teaching this to new waitresses. She learned in the field to only use these terms at proper times and with the proper guests, not all guests but many are not taught that. Or to look for nuances within their customers to see which words they can use as terms of endearment and which terms they can’t.

 

[johnd5050]

Except that is what they are trained to do. To be pleasant and endearing. To be personable. I have a family member who works in the restaurant industry and she has had to stop managers from teaching this to new waitresses. She learned in the field to only use these terms at proper times and with the proper guests, not all guests but many are not taught that. Or to look for nuances within their customers to see which words they can use as terms of endearment and which terms they can’t.

I understand the training, PR and the rest of the corporate bs. Maybe its time to change course in the training methods. To be professional one can just say "good morning, good afternoon or good night" If I called a waitress honey, sweetheart etc within 10 seconds it will be referred as sexual harassment and might get kicked out. Co workers, bank tellers, store clerks, fast food, grocery stores do not get down to a personal level with customers like the restaurant staff.

 

[Frankfooter]

I don't carry my own shopping bag which they can plainly see.

So maybe the 'honey' is intended for your Sherpas.

 

[superstar_88]

She didn't ask would you like.
She asked how would you like.
Huge difference.
You don't answer yes or no when someone asks you how.
For example if someone asks "how are you" you don't answer with a yes or a no otherwise you'll come across as an imbecile.

 

[superstar_88]

Cash or Credit

or barter

 

[unassuming]

She didn't ask would you like.
She asked how would you like.
Huge difference.
You don't answer yes or no when someone asks you how.
For example if someone asks how are you do don't answer with a yes or a no otherwise you'll come across as an imbecile.

Customer service reps are trained not to ask close ended questions, questions that can only be answered with a "yes" or a "no"
eg. "Can I help you?"

They are to ask open ended questions that cannot be answered with a Yes or No
eg. "How may I help you?"

 

[massman]

I find it somewhat annoying that a thread entitled “not so minor annoyances” is, in fact, entirely about decidedly minor annoyances.

 

[drstrangelove]

I have to agree being addressed as "sweety, honey, babe etc by an unknown female is too personal especially when you are with a date.
I told a waitress long time back that I am not her honey, babe or bitch so cut it out. She turned red in the face and had the deer in the headlights look.
Lack of proper training and etiquette.

One time my wife and I, when in our late 50s, went to a restaurant and the teenaged waitress asked us "How are you kids today?" I had to laugh to myself.

 

[Butler1000]

If these questions relate to individual performance reviews, who and how are these questions asked ? Where are they recorded ?
Seems to be an overkill for minimum wage jobs.

You should see the silent shoppers used by some corporate restaurants. Pages detailing everything from the moment they hit the parking lot, through every staff interaction, including managers, food prep and presentation. Cleanliness. And the need to use only certain language, follow certain steps, with any deviations results in points knocked off.

And they send them to the GM's to deal with in minute detail.

So betting its the same in other retail as well.

Minimum wagers get it the worst.

 

[bazokajoe]

people are programmed to say these things out of routine.

one of my pet peeves is when people ask how are you doing. no one really gives a shit, but its the socially acceptable thing to do. if you want to shock someone tell them how you really feel and watch their reaction.

I prefer to answer with " it's a doggy eat doggy world and I'm wearing milkbone underwear"' That's a quote from Norm on Cheers.

 

[bazokajoe]

I have to agree being addressed as "sweety, honey, babe etc by an unknown female is too personal especially when you are with a date.
I told a waitress long time back that I am not her honey, babe or bitch so cut it out. She turned red in the face and had the deer in the headlights look.
Lack of proper training and etiquette.

I hate being called all those stupid names to.
I wonder what would happen if the tables were turned and a male waiter called a female patron "honey. sweety or babe". Oh the social outrage that would happen would be off the charts. That waiter would be publicly roasted and definitely fired.

 

[Cardioguy]

Holding the door for someone and getting zero engagement or even a nod!

Saying "thank you" and getting a "sure" or "yep" in return. Very common South of the border. Hate it.

 

[barnacler]

You might want to review your knowledge of English in general.

"Would like" is a more polite version of "want"

Pay attention! Not Like, but Would Like.

Perhaps when you visit a proctologist tell him how you Like to proceed or talk about your preferred method.

LOL, we both agree on the meaning of like, want, would like etc.

The question is what the LIKE refers to - whether it refers to PAYING AT ALL, or whether it refers to the TYPE of payment the purchaser prefers.

The meaning can go either way. Clearly, a server is enquiring as to HOW to pay, not whether a person wants to pay at all.

Cause you know... sometimes...words... have ... two...meanings

You know, sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven.

It makes me wonder.

 

[nervousintheservice]

I hate being called all those stupid names to.
I wonder what would happen if the tables were turned and a male waiter called a female patron "honey. sweety or babe". Oh the social outrage that would happen would be off the charts. That waiter would be publicly roasted and definitely fired.

It all depends on how attractive and charming the male waiter is. Your looks and overall appearance dictate much of what a man can get away with. An ugly dude calling a woman sweetie or honey might be accused of sexual harassment. A good looking guy will get a smile and maybe a better tip.