Why explain?

[tinamarble88]

I don't know if anyone here does this, but why do customers at my job have to explain themselves all the time?

For example: I ask them, "Do you want a bag?" The customer says, "Yes." And then they proceed to explain to me why they need a bag. I don't need proof that you need a bag. They say, "I have to walk 5 blocks", "I have too many things to carry", and etc. When I need a bag lets say at 7-11 I never explain to them why I need a bag, I just ask for one.

Another one is when I offer them a donut or a muffin, they have to explain to me why they don't want one. "No, I'm diabetic", "No, I'm going to get fat", "No, I already ate breakfast".

I mean it's not being a sucky customer, but I don't know if that's a common thing customers do. It gets annoying once in awhile when you have to hear all these stories why they need a bag and why they don't want a donut or a muffin.

[blas]

I always got stories for paper bags. "I NEED paper because I recycle!" (always said in a very proud or sometimes even smug tone of voice). That's nice. So do a lot of people.

[AnaKhouri]

I get to hear people's life stories all the time. If I'm really busy I have to cut them off; otherwise, what the hell. I'm getting paid to stand here and pretend to listen.

[bainsidhe]

Perhaps they were just trying to be nice and conversational? Seems like general chit-chat to me. Now start on your life story, however

[Locksmith_from_Hell]

I can imagine that being on a register would be bad enough for life stories, but try going to peoples houses to work.

I regularly get the life story when all I want to do is get the job done and get out. Somehow, I think I loathe talking to customers beyond the bare minimum to get the job done.

[Belari]

I've explained myself to baggers before, but only after getting a dirty look because of a request. I ask them to pack my two cloth bags in such a way that they weigh close to the same. I get a dirty look and a loud sigh. Then I explain that I'm walking home and I get an eye roll. Blech.

Otherwise the only time I offer what could be an explanation is if the cashier and I are already making small talk.

[Salted Grump]

*raises hand sheepishly* ... Guilty as charged, but only in my local area, where ~everyone~ has known everyone else for at least 20 years, and so knows Everything anyhow.

(I love living in a rural area)

[One-Fang]

I think it's rude to say "yes" or "no" without further comment. It's blunt. Perhaps not so much that it is rude, but that it is more polite to make a bit of small talk.

So "Yes, I'm walking a few blocks with this stuff" would be fine. However, "Yes, I have to walk home. I have a couple of friends waiting for me. I need to get this home so they can get their dinner. It was so terrible that we didn't have any Jiffy Whip Cream in the house. I felt like such a bad host. It sucks that I had to come out to get it while they're waiting at home ......" etc etc ad infinitum, is really NOT OKAY.

But yeah "Yes, I'm walking" I think is just polite chit chat.

[MoonChild2007]

Another one is when I offer them a donut or a muffin, they have to explain to me why they don't want one. "No, I'm diabetic"

Sometimes its good for a customer to explain themselves. especially those people with certain food allergies. I don't want to hear a whole life story but its good for a customer to tell me they are allergic to nuts if the food we make have nut products.

[Chanlin]

Some people just feel the need to qualify or justify a decision. You may not care about the why of it, but they are always going to tell you the reason why.

I disagree with One-Fang on one point. I don't think it's rude to just say Yes or just Say no. I also don't think its rude to say, "Yes, I'll be carrying them for a few blocks." It really all depends on your tone. If your tone is polite then saying anything brief is fine. Telling me your life story is, while not completely rude, completely unnecessary.

[karma_gypsy]

I get that quite a bit from folks pawning their wares ...

When I begin looking at the item (looking for wear, breaks, scratches, the serial number, etc.), they have to proceed to tell me about the item's history. When they bought it, why they bought it, where they bought it, how much they paid for it, that's it's still brand new and they've only used it twice ... (to me, that's not new, that's used), what they're spending the money on, how long they've been in the hospital, what ailments they have, what kind of car they drive and the gas mileage it gets, how many kids they have, what they're getting them for Christmas/Birthday, etc., etc., etc.

Honestly, it doesn't help their cause any ... in fact, sometimes if they go over the top ... I'll actually give them less for it ... because really ... I don't want to hear it ... All I want is the model number and the serial number ...

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I usually just contribute it to nerves though ... I think people just get nervous about pawning their item and it makes them go overboard, with futile hopes that they'll get a decent amount for it ...