Those who shout abuse at retail workers

As a younger mags I used to work as a dept. manager for Sainsbury just before Tesco became the dominant force (mid to late 90's). People are terrible, no question, but I can't help but feel the OP is in the wrong job. You're probably not going to make morons somehow not be morons anymore but you could look at doing something that makes you happier or at least less unhappy. Food for thought?
 
I worked in retail for a few years in my early 20's.

the recognition of what utter ****s a large proportion of the population are, and also how soul destroying Christmas in retail is*, were the things that finally got me off my backside and looking for a better job.

*Not referring to the constant playing of Last Christmas. More the requirement to be working more and more hours to support the rabid mob, rather than spending more time with your family like other people get to.
 
Unfortunately it seems its part of the job when dealing with the public. I’ve worked retail when I was younger and it definitely made me realise there are a lot of idiots out there.

Even now as a postman I get abuse for thing’s I have no control over. I’m 38 now so I’ve learnt to just not care and just find it funny which seems to set them off more.
 
Although no one should be abusing anyone, including retail staff, I sometimes feel that some people need to grow a thicker skin.

I've worked retail before for a number of years but not once have I been reduced to tears or been stressed out by the way someone acted towards me or said something to me.

I appreciate the OP may have a mental health condition (stated he is on anti-depressants) but if a lot of that is caused by work interactions then you need to change how you deal with those interactions - people are dicks. You cant change THEM but you can change how YOU respond:
  • Walk away if possible
  • Challenge their behaviour
  • Enlist a colleague for assistance/witness
  • Contact a supervisor.
  • Roleplay previous incidents in your head and think of what you could have done so that, should it happen again, you won't be caught unprepared.
 
The problem with real life is we can't ban opinions. Many people these days aren't used to dealing with people with opposite and aggressive views so they have no skills in conflict resolution. Unless you're a natural, some people have the 'gift of the gab', then its very easy to lose control of a situation.

On the flip side these people who are disrespectful to work people, even hospital staff, I wonder how many of them have had any form of discipline? I bet very few, if any. No empathy leads to no respect.
 
I did have a part time job at a retailer of electrical appliances whilst completing my dissertation on writing pompous letters to The Times. Admittedly I spent half my time playing with the display computers, but I quickly realised that retail was not a career path that would lead to Gucci belt wearing.

Later on a young woman joined my team in an office, quitting her job in retail for better money and prospects. She only lasted about a week before going back to her old job because (according to her) sitting at a desk doing "paperwork" all day was too much like being back at school...
 
Richie said:
Although no one should be abusing anyone, including retail staff, I sometimes feel that some people need to grow a thicker skin.

I've worked retail before for a number of years but not once have I been reduced to tears or been stressed out by the way someone acted towards me or said something to me.

I appreciate the OP may have a mental health condition (stated he is on anti-depressants) but if a lot of that is caused by work interactions then you need to change how you deal with those interactions - people are dicks. You cant change THEM but you can change how YOU respond:
  • Walk away if possible
  • Challenge their behaviour
  • Enlist a colleague for assistance/witness
  • Contact a supervisor.
  • Roleplay previous incidents in your head and think of what you could have done so that, should it happen again, you won't be caught unprepared.
Click to expand...
I have walked away from the checkouts at least four times (setting off panic alarm) and said I am not going to serve you due to your upsetting language etc. It really shows them up>

When I worked in call centres, if a customer used offensive language, you warned them, use it again, say that one more time, say that the call will be terminated. Then if they continue to swear etc say "Mr/Mrs/Miss (customer name) as you have ignored warnings about using inappropriate language to me. I am terminating your call. Please call back when you know you can speak to us without inappropriate language. Thank you and goodbye"

Now only managers can throw (not literally) customers out.

Also I'm dyslexic so find it difficult to process my thoughts correctly.
 
Chris Wilson said:
I hadn't realised just how much snobbery existed around which supermarkets people frequent until recently.
Click to expand...

When my daughters were young teenagers they would hide in the car if we went into ALDI or LIDL hoping friends wouldn't seer them.
Now they both have their own houses they don't shop anywhere else.
I used to work with one bloke who only shopped at Marks & Spencers while his work colleague bought all Tesco white label brands and they were proper white labels back then.
An argument broke out one day so I was nominated to warm some baked beans up and make a cup of tea for the snobby worker.
He picked out both white labels as the best tasting and we never let him forget it.
 
A friend of mine who works it a supermarket got called racist the other day for asking the customer (a muslim) to come off of his phone as he wanted to speak to him and get the que moving. Guy said other customers behind him can wait until he finished his call!!!
 
Brazo said:
It’s not just retail it’s hospitality too and I suspect many other sectors. Sadly it’s a reflection on the British underclass and I suspect you don’t work at Waitrose? Maybe Asda or Tescos?

[Snob] I specifically shop at Waitrose now, purely to avoid the kind of people who shop in Tescos and I refuse to go to Asda point blank. [/Snob]
Click to expand...

I’ve never shopped in Asda, although we regularly have an Asda delivery, I’ve often used Tesco, due to its proximity, but hands up, I’ve not used either Lidl or Aldi, as the ones near me are in a none too salubrious part of Southwark.
I much prefer to drive through Rotherhithe Tunnel to Waitrose at Canary Wharf.
I’ve been a blue collar working class truck or taxi driver all my life, and can eff and blind with the best of them, but I know when to moderate my language, unfortunately a lot of Tesco patrons don’t know how to, and I don’t like to hear women use it when I’m in a supermarket.
 
I don't think that this is limited to retail, but is a fact of life for anyone working in a service industry.

A good portion of my day, is listening back to recorded calls where our staff have been verbally abused for something that in many cases, has nothing to do with our company at all. And even if it is a problem at our end, screaming and swearing at the person that is trying to help, isn't going to get the problem resolved any quicker.

I really do look forward to those customers who bleat out the old "the customer is always right" or "I'm paying your salary", they very quickly learn the error of their ways.
 
koolpc said:
A friend of mine who works it a supermarket got called racist the other day for asking the customer (a muslim) to come off of his phone as he wanted to speak to him and get the que moving. Guy said other customers behind him can wait until he finished his call!!!
Click to expand...
That’s rude! Hate customers that continue to be on their phones. Either use self scan or step aside. How do people on the other end like it when they hear a cashier saying things “would you like a bag” and “that’s £25.63 please”?
 
Ceryndrion said:
I don't think that this is limited to retail, but is a fact of life for anyone working in a service industry.

A good portion of my day, is listening back to recorded calls where our staff have been verbally abused for something that in many cases, has nothing to do with our company at all. And even if it is a problem at our end, screaming and swearing at the person that is trying to help, isn't going to get the problem resolved any quicker.

I really do look forward to those customers who bleat out the old "the customer is always right" or "I'm paying your salary", they very quickly learn the error of their ways.
Click to expand...
Those who bleat the awful “the customer is always right” phrase are 99% in the wrong!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom