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What taboo or socially unaceptable behavior do you wish wasn't?

#41
I got my first job (in food service) more than a year ago (before my junior year of high school), and I wish it was socially acceptable to tell customers when they're out of line. I don't mean annoying picky customers, but customers that yell obscenities or demoralize me because of things that are ultimately out of my control.

"I know eight dollars for a bowl of mac and cheese is ridiculous sir, but I don't set the prices, and swearing at me won't change anything...and you're the idiot that chooses to pay for it."

I know, I know...I choose to deal with the public, but sometimes I wish the public was a less aggressive. Worst part is having to take it because if you retaliate then you're the bad guy.
 
#44
verycoolname said:
I got my first job (in food service) more than a year ago (before my junior year of high school), and I wish it was socially acceptable to tell customers when they're out of line. I don't mean annoying picky customers, but customers that yell obscenities or demoralize me because of things that are ultimately out of my control.

"I know eight dollars for a bowl of mac and cheese is ridiculous sir, but I don't set the prices, and swearing at me won't change anything...and you're the idiot that chooses to pay for it."

I know, I know...I choose to deal with the public, but sometimes I wish the public was a less aggressive. Worst part is having to take it because if you retaliate then you're the bad guy.
Click to expand...

I feel ya brother. People absolutely **** on people in the service industry and it stinks. The only tip I can give you is leave all the stress behind at the door. I try not to even think about work the moment I step out.
 
#45
verycoolname said:
I got my first job (in food service) more than a year ago (before my junior year of high school), and I wish it was socially acceptable to tell customers when they're out of line. I don't mean annoying picky customers, but customers that yell obscenities or demoralize me because of things that are ultimately out of my control.

"I know eight dollars for a bowl of mac and cheese is ridiculous sir, but I don't set the prices, and swearing at me won't change anything...and you're the idiot that chooses to pay for it."

I know, I know...I choose to deal with the public, but sometimes I wish the public was a less aggressive. Worst part is having to take it because if you retaliate then you're the bad guy.
Click to expand...

paste said:
I feel ya brother. People absolutely **** on people in the service industry and it stinks. The only tip I can give you is leave all the stress behind at the door. I try not to even think about work the moment I step out.
Click to expand...
That's what bass playing/music is for....:bassist:
 
#47
paste said:
I feel ya brother. People absolutely **** on people in the service industry and it stinks. The only tip I can give you is leave all the stress behind at the door. I try not to even think about work the moment I step out.
Click to expand...

I know, right!? Glad you guys understand. First day on the job and a guy called me an idiot because I had to ask my manager how to ring in something (which, in my defense, was an off-menu item that the guy orders specially). Not a very appropriate thing to say to a then-sixteen-year-old girl who was starting her first job.

And yeah, I try to leave work at work...I'm so glad it's just a temporary thing until I get out of high school (gotta save up for those college textbooks). I know there's jerks everywhere, but they just always seem to migrate to my place of business. :rolleyes:

Stumbo said:
That's what bass playing/music is for....:bassist:
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Amen! :bassist:

Stumbo said:
Being a person of color or just being different in some way that gets you treated unequally.
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And +1 to this as well. I'm not a minority (excluding my sexual orientation, which is something relatively easy to keep private), but it's sickening how prevalent discrimination (namely racism) still is in the world. I work with an Islamic girl (who wears a headdress to work), and it's amazing how many people will "discretely" refuse to be served by her (usually by waiting until a more "suitable" cashier is open).

Currently reading The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man for one my English courses, and it has some pretty good observations on the topic. I enjoy it a lot.
 
#49
verycoolname said:
I got my first job (in food service) more than a year ago (before my junior year of high school), and I wish it was socially acceptable to tell customers when they're out of line. I don't mean annoying picky customers, but customers that yell obscenities or demoralize me because of things that are ultimately out of my control.
Click to expand...

I do my own e-commerce and tell them off all the time. They respond back like I stabbed their father or something. It can get quite entertaining. Luckily I control my own destiny. They act like their **** don't stink, I remind them there are 500 million others out there on the server.

I knew girls who worked at a Wegmans (dated one of them) up here near the snowbird hell and they got groceries thrown at them sometimes.
 
#50
michael_atw said:
I do my own e-commerce and tell them off all the time. They respond back like I stabbed their father or something. It can get quite entertaining. Luckily I control my own destiny. They act like their **** don't stink, I remind them there are 500 million others out there on the server.

I knew girls who worked at a Wegmans (dated one of them) up here near the snowbird hell and they got groceries thrown at them sometimes.
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Dude, that's awesome! Sometimes people need to be put in their place. Don't think I'd do that...maybe on my last day I'll throw caution to the wind, haha.

And that's awful. I've never had anything thrown at me, but I've had a plethora of customers who swear/yell/argue/cause a scene over trivial things. Also get a ton of people who act like they're the most important person in the world, and treat me poorly because I treat them like "just another customer." Guy called me a bitch once because I didn't knows his usual order...I had never seen him before. I usually work nights after school (5-11), but on this was over the summer, so I was working in the morning. He apparently always comes in at the same time, orders the same thing, and gives everyone who doesn't recognize him the same a-hole treatment.

In other news, I wish it was socially acceptable to refuse to ring up someone if they're talking on their cellphone/listening to earbuds. It annoys me when people do it to me/I see people doing it to someone else. Wish I could slap the phone out of their hands...
 
#55
MonetBass said:
I do this, too. If they don't want me to stare, they shouldn't show 'em off.
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Meanwhile in Iran... :o

I think that we have to show a lot less respect for the elderly. This is, of course, frowned upon. However, with people living longer there will be a far greater number of them around in the future. The standard of care they will collectively receive will take a plunge as a result. We either adapt our entire society for an ageing population, to the detriment of younger people, or we admit that they are potentially a problem.
 
#58
verycoolname said:
I got my first job (in food service) more than a year ago (before my junior year of high school), and I wish it was socially acceptable to tell customers when they're out of line. I don't mean annoying picky customers, but customers that yell obscenities or demoralize me because of things that are ultimately out of my control.

"I know eight dollars for a bowl of mac and cheese is ridiculous sir, but I don't set the prices, and swearing at me won't change anything...and you're the idiot that chooses to pay for it."

I know, I know...I choose to deal with the public, but sometimes I wish the public was a less aggressive. Worst part is having to take it because if you retaliate then you're the bad guy.
Click to expand...

It is appropriate to tell a customer they are out of line for swearing at you. In fact I would say you are obligated. It is your right to refuse service to a violent/ abusive customer, and certainly it is your right to tell them to calm down.

I've worked in customer service jobs (currently and a bar), and have always said something when a customer crossed a line. Never had an issue from doing so. They almost always back off.
 
#59
verycoolname said:
I got my first job (in food service) more than a year ago (before my junior year of high school), and I wish it was socially acceptable to tell customers when they're out of line. I don't mean annoying picky customers, but customers that yell obscenities or demoralize me because of things that are ultimately out of my control.

"I know eight dollars for a bowl of mac and cheese is ridiculous sir, but I don't set the prices, and swearing at me won't change anything...and you're the idiot that chooses to pay for it."

I know, I know...I choose to deal with the public, but sometimes I wish the public was a less aggressive. Worst part is having to take it because if you retaliate then you're the bad guy.
Click to expand...

I'm sure you'll temper and learn to deal with that kinda customer, though it does often depend on your boss. When I worked in a supermarket it was definitely "The customer is always right, even if they are a dick", but I was 16 and naive. Working behind a bar from 18 through 23 was somewhat different, that was certainly a taking no s**t environment.
 

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