Clingy sucky customers

[Thatgirl71]

I helped a customer out by finding them a toy that she just had to have for her grandson for xmas. Now all of a sudden, she searches me out, tries to chit chat with me and basically acts like I'm her new best friend.
I feel like saying "look lady I just did my job, I don't wanna be your friend". Plus, we have inventory coming up and I don't have time to chat with her with all the crap I have to clean up before inventory starts.

[Mnemjian]

Ugh... that's the worst! And you want to be polite and all, but jeez. There's a customer we have who spends lots of money all the time and is nice enough, but will talk at you for hours if you let him. Even if you're _obviously_ busy doing your job. Some people can't take a hint

[RetailWorkhorse]

Welcome to my world.

[Apathy]

I always wondered how people could be so dense. I'm fairly sure I know when people are brushing me off, and it's fine. I'll take the hint and piss off.
But some people just don't see it, even when you're pretty forward with them.

""Hey, I've got some work to do now..."
"Yeah? Cool. So anyway, last week I bla bla bla"

[AirHostess]

I always have passengers trying to tell me details of their mundane lives.

I just smile politely and go 'mmmm' and then explain that I have work to do. Then run back to the galley and get my crew meal and magazine.

[Bramblerose]

OTOH, I feel sorry for this lady that she's seeking out friendships from random retail employees. Not that retail employees are lesser beings, just that this old lady has such a reaction to someone being nice to her.

[Chattyaholic]

When I was waitressing I hated it when customers wanted to tell me their life story. If I was waiting on them I couldn't be rude and cut them off, as I was sure my tip would reflect that. But it's so hard to keep smiling and nodding your head when you've got other tables needing your attention. Or when they come up to the register to pay and then just stand there after I've given them their change and want to chit-chat. I don't have time. Go away. But ya gotta keep smiling!

[powerboy]

Some customers at work are like that. We will sit and listen if no other customers are in. We don't mind, if it is someone who we like

[Pagan]

Oh, I get to hear all about their various medical conditions. Joy, oh rapture.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

Some customers at work are like that. We will sit and listen if no other customers are in. We don't mind, if it is someone who we like

I'm that way too. It's nothing for me to be on my main aisle, chatting with one of the older ladies who come into the store regularly.

Good times, actually.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

I make a habit of not making conversation with any of our regulars...or irregulars.

Because when I did stop and talk to "Bob," the slow, elderly guy with a scorching case of psoriasis who used to stop in the store 3 or 4 times a day to talk to people, he'd seek me out personally whenever he dropped by. He'd even ask people where I was. Ditto for anybody else who talked to him.

So I just don't.

[Camry178]

I can't stand that either. I try extremely hard to keep all the customers at arm's length. I don't like it when they come back looking specifically for me.

My boss on the other hand gives out his card constantly. Then when those customers come back looking for him....he hides.

[Jay 2K Winger]

This reminds me of Senile Lady at the store. I may have related stories about her before, but she comes in fairly often (at least twice a week) with her son, and seeks out VB, one of our demo ladies, to the point where she'll try to go into the employee-only break room to find her. VB tries to humor her, but clearly just wants to get through her shift without much overt thought.

I've even given VB the heads-up when I can, "Your friend just walked in." "Oh, god." *hides*

[aurelemsrealm]

This may sound terrible to say, but I generally only speak to people if I have a specific reason for talking to them, know them fairly well, or find them interestingly different for some reason. I usually wait for people to approach me before I speak to them. That's just my nature. I was somewhat shy as a kid, but have outgrown feeling intimidated by others as an adult. I'm actually quite outspoken when I feel the need to speak, so I have a knack for saying what's on my mind. Now, it's just a force of habit to wait for others to approach me.

I have to get to know customers before I'll talk to them at any great length beyond polite small talk. I don't even bother speaking to sucktomers if I can avoid it, and tend to be curt toward them if I do have to interact with them. I basically treat customers the way they treat me.

[mattm04]

Our biggest clingy customer has not been in as often as before but when he is in he will want to talk to every employee like they are his best friend. He sees no problem asking if you are married, single, in a relationship, what your plans are for the weekend. When you don't respond you get his life story including how he met his wife, and how/where/when his first kid came int being.