Is it really that hard to say "hi" and "thanks"?

[Stormraven]

While I won't defend 'Just Browsing' as a response to 'Hello, how are you today?', I can tell you that they're probably doing it because they don't feel like talking, and most people take any polite response as an invitation to converse.

As I stated earlier, I don't go shopping to socialize. I don't want to converse with anyone (unless I run into a friend), so I will very often ignore such greetings, rather than give them that perceived opening.

And, yes, I have been known to be rude when the person basically chases me down, throwing the greeting at me two or three times, trying for a response.

And, for the record, I have worked retail. Don't any more, but I have. And when I did, my standard greeting was 'Good morning', or 'Good afternoon'. That provides a neutral response that isn't generally viewed as an opening, or it lets the customer move on to why they're there.

I'm well aware that this attitude is not going to win me any friends, but I promise you this - I do not look down on anyone in retail. They're not getting treated any differently than anyone else.

[bainsidhe]

A little off topic, but I was reading a customer service "sound off" forum on MSN. I was surprised at the number of "little" pet pieves people were griping about. One that sticks in my mind is that when a customer says "Thank You", the proper response from the retail drone is "You're Welcome". Not "No Problem" or "Don't mention it". It really bugged the person writing. I had to laugh, because I myself never say "you're welcome". Don't know why, maybe I was raised without manners or something. I usually say "no problem".

[Fawn]

I was always raised to say Thank you and say Hello back or at the very least smile/nod.
I can understand if someones busy looking for something and may not here the greeting or ignores it because there in a rush. Sometimes its just the way it is. But there will always be the rude ones that will role their eyes at you too.

I'm guilty of the "just looking around" thing. I've worked retail before and its not common that anyone actually wants a small chat. Its usually saying Hi and then asking if your need help with anything (atleast thats how it is around here). So, I'll answer the question (ie. Hi, I'm doing fine), and then tag on the "just looking around the store" thing.

[Peppergirl]

While I can understand and relate to not wanting to 'socialize' when I shop, I feel that it's just basic human courtesy to return a greeting.

If someone says hello and asks nme how I am, and I don't feel like being overly friendly, I'll nod and say 'fine, thanks' and go on my way. I can count on my one hand the number of times this caused the salesperson (in an average retail store) to get pushy or want to chat. Now, on the rare occasion a salesperson does want to get chatty or pushy, then absolutely, I'll shut them down if I feel they are pushing me.

No disrespect to anyone here, but unless a person has have some sort of social disorder, I just don't feel there's any excuse for silently walking past someone who has just greeted you.

Just my .02 cents.

[aurelemsrealm]

My company preaches about greeting customers as soon as they walk through the door, but I usually only greet customers if they make eye contact or approach me. Otherwise, I don't feel it's necessary to go out of my way to greet them. Sometimes, I'm truly busy with a particular task, and find it necessary to ignore all distractions.

I generally greet customers who make eye contact or approach me with a simple hi and nod. If they seem friendly, I'll try to carry on a conversation and accommodate them within reason. If they seem to ignore me or otherwise rude, I won't bother speaking to them, let alone thanking them when they're done. I just indifferently collect their money, give them their change, and pretend to find something else to do (usually chatting with a customer I like better) until they leave. I have a good enough rapport with my regular customers that I feel no need or desire to put up with crap from the ones who want to be jerks. We definitely won't go out of business by losing the sucky customers, so I wish they would go elsewhere and make my day.

As a customer, I do greet and thank the employees who help me unless they have a sucky attitude. I'll carry on conversations with the ones I know. I'll respond to the ones who seem chatty. Otherwise, I leave them alone to do their jobs. It sounds bad to say, but I find that I'm in a nicer mood when I'm not working than when I'm working.

[Stormraven]

Perhaps I should clarify. If the employee says 'Good morning/afternoon/day', or just 'Hi/Hello', I will certainly acknowledge them. I may not speak, but I'll nod and/or tip my hat.

But I have yet to see anyone in the places I've shopped at say 'How are you?' and not take a 'fine' as a prompt to start conversing/selling. So if they say 'how are you?', I ignore them. I realise I probably come off as rude and/or sucky, but it has proven to be the only way to keep people from being pushy with conversation/socialising.

I don't blame them - many companies feel that their employees have to act friendly, and so they're told to do things like that - I just will not respond to it.

In general, I know what I'm looking for, and I don't need assistance. If I do need assistance, I guarantee, I'll be seeking out an employee on my own, and it'll likely be the first thing I do when I come in the door.