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The lack of manners people have these days really does baffle me.
I work in a convenience store and the number of people who cannot seem to muster a 'please', 'thank you' or 'excuse me' is just beyond a joke. I had about 50 of these asshats on Friday alone and it was getting to the point where I was looking round for Ashton Kutcher or Jeremy Beadle or you know, someone like that, who'd jump out and tell me how it was really a set-up.
I mean, I've lost count of the amount of people who don't say please. Like this one woman:
W: Rude woman.
Me: Yours truly.
W: Ten Lambert. [for non-UK folk, 'Lamberts' are cigarettes]
Me: Sorry?
W: Ten Lambert.
Me: [seeing as my 'whats the magic word?' prompt fails to work, I give up and hand her the cigs.] There we go. That'll be £2.62, please.
I ring up the cigarettes and hand her the change, including a couple of £2 coins.
W: I want pound coins.
Me: Pardon?
W: Don't like £2 coins. Can't stand 'em.
As I handed her the change I giggled to myself in disbelief. I think she noticed, but even if she asked what was so funny, I would have told her the truth. I'm blunt, but nicely blunt.
Then I get some guy who comes in, some really snobbish man with his nose in the air who obviously thinks that cashiers are beneath him.
Guy: 'Fiiiive.'
Me: 'Five what?' [I was sure to mock him slightly and really put on my posh voice]. I have five of many things. Toes? Lottery tickets?'
Guy: 'Five Hamlet cigars.'
You could just tell he was irritated. Still no 'please', either.
And I hate to say this, but its mainly the smarter, older folk who appear to have a lot of money, that are the worst culprits. The ones who should know better. Not even so much as a 'thanks' emerges from their lips. I mean, I'm not asking for a demonstration of an etiquette book here, just general, everyday manners would be nice.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO SOCIETY?!
When I was younger, I was taught that if I wanted something, I'd have to say 'please'. And afterwards, I'd say 'thank you'. And if I needed to get past, or wanted to ask a question, then an 'excuse me' would be in order. It costs NOTHING to use manners, nothing at all. Heck, if my three-year-old brother can say please and thank you with genuine sincerity, why the hell can't a 40-year-old do the same?
There are some regular customers who I abhor. The kind who slap their stuff on the counter, snatch it back when I've scanned it as though it's the end of the world in five minutes, and are horrifyingly rude. one girl in particular does not only this, but just comes up to staff and goes, 'Got any [insert brand of wine here]?'
We're all so accustomed to her rudeness that we all just go: 'Nuh.' and walk off.
Sometimes, when I'm putting stock out, I can sense a customer behind me. Now obviously they wish to reach something and I'm blocking their way. Do they say, 'Excuse me, could I just get that milkshake?' so that I can gladly move for them?
No.
Instead, they make a series of noises. Grunts, sighs, 'eh!' noises as though they're trying to reach but can't. They'll stand behind me making said noises expecting me to notice them and figure out that they're trying to reach. Sometimes they'll do it for about five minutes, because to prove a point, I don't move.
It's almost as though 'excuse me' is an evil phrase that will banish them to some fiery depths. They'd rather stand there for ages making all manner of noises than say it.
Either that, or they'll see something they can't reach, and say to a freind/family member beside them: 'Pity we can't get to it. Maybe that girl will get it for us?' loudly, so that of course, I can hear them, and go and obey.
Sorry - no can do!
Why do people go to so much trouble when all they have to do is say 'excuse me?' Because seriously - if you don't ask me properly, I won't do it. Simple as that. I'm an assistant, not a servant (contrary to popular belief, it's NOT the same thing!
), and obeying orders is totally not my thing.
Ask nicely, and you get my attention.
Anyone else have to deal with bad-mannered customers?
I work in a convenience store and the number of people who cannot seem to muster a 'please', 'thank you' or 'excuse me' is just beyond a joke. I had about 50 of these asshats on Friday alone and it was getting to the point where I was looking round for Ashton Kutcher or Jeremy Beadle or you know, someone like that, who'd jump out and tell me how it was really a set-up.
I mean, I've lost count of the amount of people who don't say please. Like this one woman:
W: Rude woman.
Me: Yours truly.
W: Ten Lambert. [for non-UK folk, 'Lamberts' are cigarettes]
Me: Sorry?
W: Ten Lambert.
Me: [seeing as my 'whats the magic word?' prompt fails to work, I give up and hand her the cigs.] There we go. That'll be £2.62, please.
I ring up the cigarettes and hand her the change, including a couple of £2 coins.
W: I want pound coins.
Me: Pardon?
W: Don't like £2 coins. Can't stand 'em.
As I handed her the change I giggled to myself in disbelief. I think she noticed, but even if she asked what was so funny, I would have told her the truth. I'm blunt, but nicely blunt.
Then I get some guy who comes in, some really snobbish man with his nose in the air who obviously thinks that cashiers are beneath him.
Guy: 'Fiiiive.'
Me: 'Five what?' [I was sure to mock him slightly and really put on my posh voice]. I have five of many things. Toes? Lottery tickets?'
Guy: 'Five Hamlet cigars.'
You could just tell he was irritated. Still no 'please', either.
And I hate to say this, but its mainly the smarter, older folk who appear to have a lot of money, that are the worst culprits. The ones who should know better. Not even so much as a 'thanks' emerges from their lips. I mean, I'm not asking for a demonstration of an etiquette book here, just general, everyday manners would be nice.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO SOCIETY?!
When I was younger, I was taught that if I wanted something, I'd have to say 'please'. And afterwards, I'd say 'thank you'. And if I needed to get past, or wanted to ask a question, then an 'excuse me' would be in order. It costs NOTHING to use manners, nothing at all. Heck, if my three-year-old brother can say please and thank you with genuine sincerity, why the hell can't a 40-year-old do the same?
There are some regular customers who I abhor. The kind who slap their stuff on the counter, snatch it back when I've scanned it as though it's the end of the world in five minutes, and are horrifyingly rude. one girl in particular does not only this, but just comes up to staff and goes, 'Got any [insert brand of wine here]?'
We're all so accustomed to her rudeness that we all just go: 'Nuh.' and walk off.
Sometimes, when I'm putting stock out, I can sense a customer behind me. Now obviously they wish to reach something and I'm blocking their way. Do they say, 'Excuse me, could I just get that milkshake?' so that I can gladly move for them?
No.
Instead, they make a series of noises. Grunts, sighs, 'eh!' noises as though they're trying to reach but can't. They'll stand behind me making said noises expecting me to notice them and figure out that they're trying to reach. Sometimes they'll do it for about five minutes, because to prove a point, I don't move.
It's almost as though 'excuse me' is an evil phrase that will banish them to some fiery depths. They'd rather stand there for ages making all manner of noises than say it.
Either that, or they'll see something they can't reach, and say to a freind/family member beside them: 'Pity we can't get to it. Maybe that girl will get it for us?' loudly, so that of course, I can hear them, and go and obey.
Sorry - no can do!
Why do people go to so much trouble when all they have to do is say 'excuse me?' Because seriously - if you don't ask me properly, I won't do it. Simple as that. I'm an assistant, not a servant (contrary to popular belief, it's NOT the same thing!
), and obeying orders is totally not my thing.Ask nicely, and you get my attention.
Anyone else have to deal with bad-mannered customers?
I'm a terrible salesperson 
(but you bet your butt he'll come back to buy from me, and he'll probably continue to be nice to boot)
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