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As long as they aren't rude, I say it's OK. They're human. I work in the public as a receptionist. I know when I'm in a better mood, I'm friendlier and chattier than when I 'm not. Maybe I should be "bubbly" all the time, but that's just not the way it is. People that work in the public should at least be polite however.
In South Carolina, chitchat in most stores is the norm.
However, I dont believe its the "responsibility" of the salesperson/clerk to speak to you or anyone else beyond " Hello" and "Have a Nice Day".
My employer can make me do alot of things for my paycheck, but speaking to a customer beyond the phrases above is not, and should not be my "responsibility". If a clerk doesnt want to talk, then its up to he/she. All they are required to do is their job.
Nearly every morning I stop at a local Safeway and pick up a USA Today and a few groceries. While there are some friendly people at the store, the check out folks are cold as ice. Every morning I try to be friendly by passing on some brief small talk just to see if I get any response. Rarely will I get even a grunt. On the other hand they are efficent and do say "how are you" when I approach and Thankyou when I leave. (Both overly scripted)
Do you feel like it is the responsibility of a customer service/retail sales person to reply in kind when I attempt some type of small talk?
Oh Goody!!!!! Another opportunity to talk about poor customer service. One of my biggest pet peeves.
Anyone who has contact with a customer needs to learn the basics of good CS skills. Yes, you may get crappy customers from time to time but it is your job to be Professional and Polite. Period! The company did not hire you to bring your crappy, I hate people attitude to work and guess what....You can and should be replaced if that's the best you can do.
So, all you cashiers, wait staff, receptionists, salespeople, etc......
You were hired to do a job. Common sense (which some of you lack) dictates that if you want repeat customers or a good tip, it will require that you use some of those muscles in your face to smile and speak to the customer. I don't expect for you to jump through hoops of fire to kiss my booty but I do expect to hear a "Good Morning," "Have a nice day," Please come again," or "Did you find what you were looking for?" A sincere smile as opposed to a grimace or even bared teeth is also a nice touch. As for CS people engaging me in small talk...No, I don't expect it but if somebody does make the effort to be friendly, I will gladly reciprocate.
Not everyone is cut out to work in the Customer Service industry. If you are one of them, do yourself and everyone else a favor and find a different job more suited to your personality.
There are also plenty of rude, hateful or ill-mannered people who are the kind of customer that can make any customer service representative cringe. Don't be one of them, folks.
this is a tough one because customer service ties to human emotions.
i've pretty much been a cashier (on and off) for a little over a year (one for a bookstore and another for outdoor wear) and i'm one of those people who want talks to customers if it's something that i can talk about... i can also understand if people can want to buy things and leave.
however, with the jobs i had comes the part of selling stuff to a customer... so yeah, small talk will have to be established at some point.
i think it's all about a balance act... don't look like you just got out of bed but don't be unprofessional and be best friends with that person.
Quote:
Originally Posted by goodtype
Nearly every morning I stop at a local Safeway and pick up a USA Today and a few groceries. While there are some friendly people at the store, the check out folks are cold as ice. Every morning I try to be friendly by passing on some brief small talk just to see if I get any response. Rarely will I get even a grunt. On the other hand they are efficent and do say "how are you" when I approach and Thankyou when I leave. (Both overly scripted)
Do you feel like it is the responsibility of a customer service/retail sales person to reply in kind when I attempt some type of small talk?
I don't mind small talk if the cashier is able to talk and ring groceries at the same time.But, I have run into a lot of cashiers that once they start talking they slow way down. I would rather not have to stand in line and wait while the workers chit chat with customers and take forever. Big, big, big pet peeve of mine. Just say a friendly hi and thank you and let me be on my way.
Nearly every morning I stop at a local Safeway and pick up a USA Today and a few groceries. While there are some friendly people at the store, the check out folks are cold as ice. Every morning I try to be friendly by passing on some brief small talk just to see if I get any response. Rarely will I get even a grunt. On the other hand they are efficent and do say "how are you" when I approach and Thankyou when I leave. (Both overly scripted)
Do you feel like it is the responsibility of a customer service/retail sales person to reply in kind when I attempt some type of small talk?
Oh I hope not! I hate when clerks engage in conversations with customers,because sometimes they're both so bored that they'll get into long conversations and I just want to keep things moving along!
The scripted stuff isn't always bad,if they don't look like they're forcing it. Why bother then?
I don't think that salepeople or customer service people owe me any pleasantries. All I ask is for them to be professional and fast in their job. And if there is a line behind me, I certainly don't want to slow their work pace down with small talk.
I usually pay my cable bill in person. It's a small office and only two women work there. Sometimes my boyfriend goes with me. Once last year when I was by myself, one of the Comcast ladies commented that she thought my boyfriend was cute. I think that she wasn't sure what our relationship was and it was a tactful way of finding out. Just yesterday, when my boyfriend went to go get his haircut, the hairdresser thought he was in high school.
Nearly every morning I stop at a local Safeway and pick up a USA Today and a few groceries. While there are some friendly people at the store, the check out folks are cold as ice. Every morning I try to be friendly by passing on some brief small talk just to see if I get any response. Rarely will I get even a grunt. On the other hand they are efficent and do say "how are you" when I approach and Thankyou when I leave. (Both overly scripted)
Do you feel like it is the responsibility of a customer service/retail sales person to reply in kind when I attempt some type of small talk?
Yes, when you initiate it, they should be POLITE and respond to you. However, there ARE customers who would talk your ear off if you'd let them...and you DO have a job to do also.
How do you suggest disengaging from these people politely?
Yes, when you initiate it, they should be POLITE and respond to you. However, there ARE customers who would talk your ear off if you'd let them...and you DO have a job to do also.
How do you suggest disengaging from these people politely?
Well if you're apparently really busy you just kind of inch away in sort of a rushed manner while holding up your finger in a 'one minute' position
It's what we used to do
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Just yesterday, when my boyfriend went to go get his haircut, the hairdresser thought he was in high school. 
