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  • Tips for Customers

    'Cause some of them need it. Apologies if something along these lines has been done before.

    This is inspired by a project I have for school, sort of. It's a desktop publishing class, and one of the projects is to design a newspaper's front page, with fonts and graphics and such. Of course, to show off the fonts, we have to have articles, and while I was thinking of what to write about, I thought of this site, especially with the holidays and all. I honestly think that a good amount of abuse employees have to deal with is due to 'tips' from various sources in the media on how to get a better deal and such. And if that's the case, why not put advice from the other side of the counter in my (admittedly fictional) newspaper? So what would you tell someone who wanted advice on how not to be an SC?

    A few of mine:
    Be patient - If you're calling tech support or a catalog (or any kind of company with a line for customers to call, for that matter), don't snap at the employee because you had to hold for a long time or because it's taking longer than you thought to get what you want. They've been on the line for as long as you, and that's without counting all the other calls they may be getting, if it's their job to take them. If you think you're frustrated, imagine how the other guy must feel! Even in person, it helps to be patient; an employee is more likely to want to help someone more if they feel they're being treated fairly.

    Know what you want - There's nothing wrong with looking around a store to see what they have, or taking a little while to look through the menu at a restaurant. But don't leave some poor employee hanging while you try to figure out if you want something; chances are, they have other people to help, and other things to do. If you don't want anything, or don't know what you want just yet, just say so. This doesn't mean you have to be specific to the last detail (unless you're ordering from a catalog, or something along those lines), but having a general idea helps. If you're in a clothing store, for example, it's a good idea to at least know what article of clothing you want, and what you want it for, when you want an employee to assist you.

    Tip, tip, tip - In general, waitstaff at restaurants get most of their pay from tips, so if your waiter or waitress gives you good service, show it by giving them a good tip. 15% is typically considered average, but more can be given for great service, or if you've been on the high-maintenance side. Do not assume that other people's tips will make up for you not paying one. Restaurants can have slow days, and other bad things can happen. As an example, my sister, who currently works as a waitress, went home very upset a few nights ago because she'd made a net profit of about $40. This came about despite a busy night because of a combination of non-tipping customers and one counterfeit bill for which she'd had to pay out of her own tips. If you really, truly can't afford to tip your waitstaff fairly, you might want to rethink eating out.

    There are some others, but I think this post is getting long enough as it is. I might write them later. So do you guys agree? Disagree? Have your own suggestions?

  • #2
    Moved to General Work Chat.

    Rapscallion

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    • #3
      Tips for passengers:

      1) Sit down and shut up. We can't take off until you sit down and fasten your seatbelt. They may look friendly but don't bother them with your tales of woe and constant whining. They don't care.

      2) The flight attendants are here primarily for your safety and security. It is a legal requirement to follow their commands.
      Under UK law, there are two pieces of legislation relating to disruptive behaviour on-board aircraft. Offences include:

      * Endangering the safety of an aircraft;
      * Being drunk in an aircraft;
      * Smoking when prohibited;
      * Disobeying a lawful command by the commander of an aircraft;
      * Acting in a disruptive manner (including interfering with the performance by a member of the cabin crew in the course of their duties).

      If a member of crew deems your behaviour disruptive, they have the right to take measures they think reasonable to prevent you continuing your behaviour. When the aircraft lands, their actions may include:

      * Making you leave the aircraft and possibly under Police escort
      * Refusing to carry you on the remaining sectors of the journey shown on your ticket
      * Reporting the incident on board the aircraft to the relevant authorities with a view to them prosecuting you for any criminal offences you might have committed.

      Serious offences carry a large fine and/or imprisonment.

      The CAA is actively involved with the Department for Transport in monitoring the frequency and nature of such occurrences. The occurrences are being analysed to establish if any further legislative action may be necessary.

      3) Do not stack your meal trays up high all nicely. It makes it a pain for the crew to dismantle them again to shove them back in the trolley.

      4) Leave the lavatory in the same way you found it. Some people are just dirty.

      5) The airlines are in the transportation industry. They intend to get you SAFELY to your destination in one piece. The planes are not a fine dining cusine eatery, a cinema, a shop or a library. So quit whining that the sandwiches are crap, you paid £40 for your ticket!

      6) Don't make a mess. I pity the poor minimum wage cleaners who have to clean up after each flight.

      7) When the flight attendants are sat in the galley eating don't come up and start making pointless conversations. "Is this your regular route?" etc

      8) Try not to get angry when you see the crew walzting past you at security/Customs or not having to wait for their bags. This is our job. Or when the crew have the audacity to stay at the same luxury hotel as you.

      9) If we delay our planes there is usually a good reason for it. There's a nasty snowstorm? Well why don't we just take off and die then. Or there's a mechanical fault with the plane. Would you rather get it seen costing you an hour of you life...or take off and have it cost you your own life?

      10) Don't be rude. If you do we will laugh about you in the galley and you won't get treated nicely!

      I love my job, I love my job, I love my job
      No longer a flight atttendant!

      Comment


      • #4
        Rapscallion: Thank you! And sorry; I wasn't sure just where the thread should go.

        PrincessKatieAirHostess: This probably sounds silly, but I hadn't even thought of airplanes! Are all those things that have happened to you, or stuff you've heard about, or what?

        Comment


        • #5
          I agree with the tipping. because alot of waitstaff are not paid minimum wage, paid way below it. Some places your uniform is YOUR responsibility (some require dry cleaning) and yes, just because there is a special going on with said resturaunt doesn't mean you still can't tip. Hell with some delivery employees tips are half their gas if not their paycheck.

          And flying...oh lords all I can say is unless I'm dying or in great pain I don't bother the flight attendants/crew whichever proper term. They have enough issues to deal with EW's and from observation usually the last to leave the plane. Its not the end of the world to say thank you during flight or when leaving.

          I wonder though PrincessKatieAirHostess, ever done the whole "Buh bye, buh bye!" bit with anyone? hehe

          Comment


          • #6
            Tips For Petrol Station Customers.

            1. If You Are Doing It Wrong and are told this, please just say "thank you" and do it right. Don't bitch, or make a spiteful report; just cuz you feel like a prize ass for getting something as simple as pumping petrol wrong is no need to try to ruin someone's life. Oh, and the key word here is TRY; you will simply become even more of a laughing stock by making such a report.

            2. Do NOT park on the flipping forecourt! Use the car park; I know you have to pay, but you are allowed to park there; you are not allowed to use the forecourt.

            3. Be patient. If the pump isn't authorised immediately, it's probably cuz it's busy and the display has just lit up like Christmas and we have to look at each pump before we authorise it. Either that, or You Are Doing It Wrong.

            4. No, we do NOT sell catfood, washing powder, peanut butter, cereal, apple juice, baby food or any of the other items that clueless customers have asked for over the years. The supermarket over the road does. Go there.

            5. Doing It Wrong is as follows; using a mobile, smoking, or not putting the nozzle in your vehicle. If You Are Doing It Wrong, you will be told. See 1. for instructions on how to behave when told.

            6. We don't give two shits about the fact that you saw Jeremy Clarkson using a mobile phone around petrol pumps on Top Gear. Would you also like to drive down a vertical slope in your car? Or maybe drive it at an insane speed down a mountain road, taking corners on two wheels? It's the law that you don't use a phone by the pumps, we don't care what you saw on Top Gear.
            People who don't like cats were probably mice in an earlier life.
            My DeviantArt.

            Comment


            • #7
              Mine feel so wordy now... Anyway, here are a few more of mine:

              Your children, your responsibility - Unless there is an area specifically set aside to leave the kids while you shop (and there rarely is), keep them with you. They are not to be kept at the customer service desk, at the information desk, in the toy section, or anywhere else away from you. This is for two main reasons; first, no respectable person wants a child a child to be hurt or kidnapped, but it can happen and it is not the employees' jobs to protect your kids for you. Second, you are responsible for anything the child does to company property, employees and other customers.

              The customer is not always right - Sometimes what you want is simply not possible, whether for policy, legal, or physical reasons. Accept this with as little fuss as possible; it'll make you more welcome the next time you visit the establishment, as well as keeping your stress levels down.

              Admit your mistakes - If you do get something wrong or make a mistake, admit it, make apologies and amends where warranted, and move on. Don't get an attitude, and don't deny or try to hide the fact that you messed up. That's an excellent way to make things worse than they already might be.

              Comment


              • #8
                Quoth Apocalypse Cookie View Post
                PrincessKatieAirHostess: This probably sounds silly, but I hadn't even thought of airplanes! Are all those things that have happened to you, or stuff you've heard about, or what?
                All things I encounter every day! Well the abusive passenger one is much rarer. Most of the pax are just dim. When you are stuck with them for a few hours in a metal tube at 30,000 feet it can all get a bit wearing.



                Oh here's another one.

                You pack it you stack it, I touch it I tag it! If you won't be able to stow your carry on luggage in the overhead unaided or fit it neatly under your seat check it in! Every flight I have someone asking me to help them stow their suitcase, and as airline policy dictates I refuse to help them and explain. Hmmm yes I will damage my back, be off work on basic pay for months all because you want me to shove your over-sized heavy case into the locker. Threaten to have it tagged and taken to the hold works wonders, they suddenly develop special strength super-powers!
                No longer a flight atttendant!

                Comment


                • #9
                  Quoth Lace Neil Singer View Post
                  4. No, we do NOT sell catfood, washing powder, peanut butter, cereal, apple juice, baby food or any of the other items that clueless customers have asked for over the years. The supermarket over the road does. Go there.
                  "Got any nails?"
                  "No."
                  "Got any duck food?"

                  /bonus to anyone who knows the whole joke
                  "That's too bad. Hospitals aren't fun to fight through."
                  "What IS fun to fight through?"
                  "Gardens. Electronics shops. Antique stores, but only if they're classy."

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I don't know the joke, but after a few seconds' thought... duck food -> bread.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Quoth Apocalypse Cookie View Post
                      Be patient - If you're calling tech support or a catalog (or any kind of company with a line for customers to call, for that matter), don't snap at the employee because you had to hold for a long time or because it's taking longer than you thought to get what you want. They've been on the line for as long as you, and that's without counting all the other calls they may be getting, if it's their job to take them. If you think you're frustrated, imagine how the other guy must feel! Even in person, it helps to be patient; an employee is more likely to want to help someone more if they feel they're being treated fairly.
                      As an addendum:
                      Have your details ready, if you've been stuck in the queue for 'half and hour' you've had plenty of time to root around for your ID\account\policy number. Don't compound the error by saying "I knew you'd ask for that *giggle*"

                      If you're asked if it's OK to be put on hold, it's not actually a request, No really. Sometimes the person has to consult someone else, rather than leave a 'hot mic' to pick up the assorted chatter from the room you're put on hold to listen to the cheesy music (and that's nothing to do with the person you're talking to either), trust me it's normally better than the alternative.

                      Read your warranty documentation. Some things are covered some aren't please don't rely on your memory of a conversation 6 months ago from a person who makes commission on sales and was pushing you to get the more expensive warranty (that would have covered the problem you're having now)

                      Whilst 'your mate down the road' may know about computers*, we still need to diagnose the problem, telling us that he thought "It's a hard drive problem" then refusing diagnostics will waste both out time.
                      *If he actually does know about computers then he can write it down "Did A - B happened, did C - D happened, did E - Y happened: therefore Probable disk fault"
                      Lady, people aren't chocolates. D'you know what they are mostly? Bastards. Bastard-coated bastards with bastard filling. Dr Cox - Scrubs

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Tips for Casino Patrons

                        Don't blame the dealer: Despite what you may think, the dealers are not personally responsible for the hands you are dealt. You're on a losing streak? Maybe it's a good time to take a break.

                        Follow the rules: When you do something that is against house policy, you will be informed of it, which means you need to stop said behaviour immediatly. It doesn't matter if you think the rules are stupid, it doesn't matter if I think the rules are stupid, they are the rules and you will follow them or be kicked out.

                        Don't walk away with lots of chips: I don't mean don't win lots, but for my sake, colour them up. You don't need to be walking around with 60 (ie three full stacks) of $5 chips, I generally need those. I also get in trouble when you don't colour them up, so just do it and be polite.

                        Stop Whining: Seriously, if you're going to be a big baby about it, why come to a casino? It brings the whole table down most times and it makes the dealer wish a losing streak on you. Remember, Karma.

                        That's it for now!
                        “Bad taste creates many more millionaires than good taste.”

                        -Charles Bukowski

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