Don’t even ask for an explanation: simply “I don’t get it”
with the flattest voice and smallest shrug you can manage.
Then stop talking.
Let the awkward silence fill the air and don’t break eye contact.
There is an implicit expectation for an explanation, but it puts the focus on their creepy non sequiturs and denied then the rage they are trying to bait
Yes it’s kind of affected naivety high road. You just assume the best of the person trying to be insulting and give them the space to explain themselves, because we’re all reasonable adults here and surely they must have a good reason for their behaviour.
Your tips are good if the customer is rational, or if the compensation is worth the effort of that.
I’ve worked a lot of retail, and sometimes there are just irrational people, though. Many angry customers do deserve the bare minimum. I’m not going to sympathize with them if their problem is their own fault, or if it is something minor that wasn’t anyone’s fault. I’m also not doing it if they want to be rude about it.
Some jobs also don’t pay their employees or give them enough benefit to do more than the bare minimum. These kind of jobs are not worth the stress or mental energy.
Yea, I mean I didn’t show up at my retail job to socialize if that’s what you mean. I didn’t say that anyone should be rude to anyone, just that they shouldn’t have to act like a concerned family member or whatever the other comment said.
If someone can’t handle basic social circumstances, that person shouldn’t be public facing. It’s the basic job description.
There is a gigantic difference between handling basic social circumstances and acting like a complaining customer’s best friend or family member.
The basic job description for most of these retail places in regards to customer service is to answer simple questions and refer people to management if they have an issue with the store or product. If you are doing more than this as a basic retail clerk, you should ask for a promotion.
I am not saying to be rude, at all. Just don’t do more work than what you are being paid for. Maybe you live in a place that pays retail employees fairly, and the effort is worth it. I most definitely live in a place that does not pay them enough to deal with some of that crap.
“C’mon man! Where did you buy that thing? Here? Get me a receipt, or at least pull one off the shelf, then I can help. C’mon, give me something to work with here!”
When I worked in retail my manager would’ve written me up for talking like that
Word, I worked at McDonald’s for 5 years and anytime someone said something I was like “yea isn’t this some bullshit huh? Ah well, human error, happens to all of us. I’ll go get you sorted out.”
It’s better to redirect the anger into the void than to take it into yourself. I wasn’t paid enough to take that shit head on.
If you see one of these shirts in the wild, put them on the spot, especially if you have a young kid with you. Tell them your kid doesn’t understand the shirt, could they please explain it to them.
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Don’t even ask for an explanation: simply “I don’t get it”
with the flattest voice and smallest shrug you can manage.
Then stop talking.
Let the awkward silence fill the air and don’t break eye contact.
There is an implicit expectation for an explanation, but it puts the focus on their creepy non sequiturs and denied then the rage they are trying to bait
That reminds me of arguing with some unhinged folks back when I worked retail customer service.
I would kill them with kindness and for some reason they would get madder that I was calm while they were screaming.
Same vibes here. “I don’t get it” while calm and deadpan would make them smile and explain. Then they’d snap as you repeat.
Mmm, takes me back to my retail days.
Yes it’s kind of affected naivety high road. You just assume the best of the person trying to be insulting and give them the space to explain themselves, because we’re all reasonable adults here and surely they must have a good reason for their behaviour.
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Your tips are good if the customer is rational, or if the compensation is worth the effort of that.
I’ve worked a lot of retail, and sometimes there are just irrational people, though. Many angry customers do deserve the bare minimum. I’m not going to sympathize with them if their problem is their own fault, or if it is something minor that wasn’t anyone’s fault. I’m also not doing it if they want to be rude about it.
Some jobs also don’t pay their employees or give them enough benefit to do more than the bare minimum. These kind of jobs are not worth the stress or mental energy.
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Yea, I mean I didn’t show up at my retail job to socialize if that’s what you mean. I didn’t say that anyone should be rude to anyone, just that they shouldn’t have to act like a concerned family member or whatever the other comment said.
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There is a gigantic difference between handling basic social circumstances and acting like a complaining customer’s best friend or family member.
The basic job description for most of these retail places in regards to customer service is to answer simple questions and refer people to management if they have an issue with the store or product. If you are doing more than this as a basic retail clerk, you should ask for a promotion.
I am not saying to be rude, at all. Just don’t do more work than what you are being paid for. Maybe you live in a place that pays retail employees fairly, and the effort is worth it. I most definitely live in a place that does not pay them enough to deal with some of that crap.
I understand sir but we can’t accept returns for items you didn’t purchase from us is there anything else I can help you with?
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When I worked in retail my manager would’ve written me up for talking like that
Yeah I try that first, but if they’re just looking to berate someone who’s paid to put up with them then they just get the customer service mask
Sir, this is a Wendy’s
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Owed him reddit style.
Word, I worked at McDonald’s for 5 years and anytime someone said something I was like “yea isn’t this some bullshit huh? Ah well, human error, happens to all of us. I’ll go get you sorted out.”
It’s better to redirect the anger into the void than to take it into yourself. I wasn’t paid enough to take that shit head on.
I don’t get it.
If you see one of these shirts in the wild, put them on the spot, especially if you have a young kid with you. Tell them your kid doesn’t understand the shirt, could they please explain it to them.