So asking to be served is now 'rude,' it would seem
So asking to be served is now 'rude,' it would seem
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Evangelion

Original Poster:

8,635 posts

207 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
quotequote all
So it's 11 o'clock this morning and I'm at the front of the queue at the Post Office. There are three assistants behind the barriers, all busy. One is just finishing and the woman she's serving says, "Would you like to see a photo of my nephew, he's in Emmerdale you know" - or some such nonsense. Assistant looks at photo, says something like "Oh that's nice dear, are there any others?" and the woman fishes out more.

Person behind me says, "If you don't mind, there are people waiting here," assistant ignores her and looks at the next photo, "Where was that taken then?" Person behind me has another go. "Excuse me, there's a queue."

Assistant says, "I'm serving." So now I jump in. "No you're not, you've finished and now you're chatting."

Assistant says, "Don't be rude." Turns to Emmerdale-Woman. "Oh that's so rude isn't it?"

So since when was it rude to expect a person to actually do the job they're paid to do instead of just standing watching them waste my time and their employer's money?

Lefty Guns

21,260 posts

231 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
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rolleyes

You're soooo old fashioned.

10 Pence Short

32,880 posts

246 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
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Worst of all, if you complained to the person in charge, they'd probably do a rolleyes smiley at you and pat the lazy chatty bh cow on the back.

motco

17,607 posts

275 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
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The Post Office has long had a School of Ignorance and Bad Manners and you have just met a graduate. It is mandatory, in main post offices - sub-post offices are different, to be offhand, rude, to whisper inaudibly, and to wear clothes that even a Lambeth social worker would shun.

sjc

16,415 posts

299 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
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Customer service, a long lost art.

Tony*T3

20,911 posts

276 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
quotequote all
Evangelion said:
So it's 11 o'clock this morning and I'm at the front of the queue at the Post Office. There are three assistants behind the barriers, all busy. One is just finishing and the woman she's serving says, "Would you like to see a photo of my nephew, he's in Emmerdale you know" - or some such nonsense. Assistant looks at photo, says something like "Oh that's nice dear, are there any others?" and the woman fishes out more.

Person behind me says, "If you don't mind, there are people waiting here," assistant ignores her and looks at the next photo, "Where was that taken then?" Person behind me has another go. "Excuse me, there's a queue."

Assistant says, "I'm serving." So now I jump in. "No you're not, you've finished and now you're chatting."

Assistant says, "Don't be rude." Turns to Emmerdale-Woman. "Oh that's so rude isn't it?"

So since when was it rude to expect a person to actually do the job they're paid to do instead of just standing watching them waste my time and their employer's money?
So what do you do for a living? Because I'm guessing you dont ever take a moment away from your work, to chat with collegues or customers, to have a breather, post a little on PH, do a little surfing, gaze out the window? No, you work at 100% efficentcy for 100% of the time your paid to, yes? never engage in small talk? you know, like a human would.

okgo

42,123 posts

227 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
quotequote all
Tony*T3 said:
Evangelion said:
So it's 11 o'clock this morning and I'm at the front of the queue at the Post Office. There are three assistants behind the barriers, all busy. One is just finishing and the woman she's serving says, "Would you like to see a photo of my nephew, he's in Emmerdale you know" - or some such nonsense. Assistant looks at photo, says something like "Oh that's nice dear, are there any others?" and the woman fishes out more.

Person behind me says, "If you don't mind, there are people waiting here," assistant ignores her and looks at the next photo, "Where was that taken then?" Person behind me has another go. "Excuse me, there's a queue."

Assistant says, "I'm serving." So now I jump in. "No you're not, you've finished and now you're chatting."

Assistant says, "Don't be rude." Turns to Emmerdale-Woman. "Oh that's so rude isn't it?"

So since when was it rude to expect a person to actually do the job they're paid to do instead of just standing watching them waste my time and their employer's money?
So what do you do for a living? Because I'm guessing you dont ever take a moment away from your work, to chat with collegues or customers, to have a breather, post a little on PH, do a little surfing, gaze out the window? No, you work at 100% efficentcy for 100% of the time your paid to, yes? never engage in small talk? you know, like a human would.
fk that, they pay some grunt to sell stamps, and sell stamps is what they shall do.

B Oeuf

39,731 posts

313 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
quotequote all
Tony*T3 said:
Evangelion said:
So it's 11 o'clock this morning and I'm at the front of the queue at the Post Office. There are three assistants behind the barriers, all busy. One is just finishing and the woman she's serving says, "Would you like to see a photo of my nephew, he's in Emmerdale you know" - or some such nonsense. Assistant looks at photo, says something like "Oh that's nice dear, are there any others?" and the woman fishes out more.

Person behind me says, "If you don't mind, there are people waiting here," assistant ignores her and looks at the next photo, "Where was that taken then?" Person behind me has another go. "Excuse me, there's a queue."

Assistant says, "I'm serving." So now I jump in. "No you're not, you've finished and now you're chatting."

Assistant says, "Don't be rude." Turns to Emmerdale-Woman. "Oh that's so rude isn't it?"

So since when was it rude to expect a person to actually do the job they're paid to do instead of just standing watching them waste my time and their employer's money?
So what do you do for a living? Because I'm guessing you dont ever take a moment away from your work, to chat with collegues or customers, to have a breather, post a little on PH, do a little surfing, gaze out the window? No, you work at 100% efficentcy for 100% of the time your paid to, yes? never engage in small talk? you know, like a human would.
Oh come on, this wasn't a quick exchange in an empty shop, she took out a bunch of photos for her to look at in front of a queue. To me this is simply being inconsiderate to others needs

Romanymagic

3,298 posts

248 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
quotequote all
Tony*T3 said:
Evangelion said:
So it's 11 o'clock this morning and I'm at the front of the queue at the Post Office. There are three assistants behind the barriers, all busy. One is just finishing and the woman she's serving says, "Would you like to see a photo of my nephew, he's in Emmerdale you know" - or some such nonsense. Assistant looks at photo, says something like "Oh that's nice dear, are there any others?" and the woman fishes out more.

Person behind me says, "If you don't mind, there are people waiting here," assistant ignores her and looks at the next photo, "Where was that taken then?" Person behind me has another go. "Excuse me, there's a queue."

Assistant says, "I'm serving." So now I jump in. "No you're not, you've finished and now you're chatting."

Assistant says, "Don't be rude." Turns to Emmerdale-Woman. "Oh that's so rude isn't it?"

So since when was it rude to expect a person to actually do the job they're paid to do instead of just standing watching them waste my time and their employer's money?
So what do you do for a living? Because I'm guessing you dont ever take a moment away from your work, to chat with collegues or customers, to have a breather, post a little on PH, do a little surfing, gaze out the window? No, you work at 100% efficentcy for 100% of the time your paid to, yes? never engage in small talk? you know, like a human would.
I see where you're coming from Tony, but I think the fact that the assistant made customers wait, while clearly just chatting is wrong. Sure if she had no one else to serve then that would be fine, but when you have a queue waiting??

I am taking time out now to type this but if a call came through to my phone I wouldn't tell the receptionist to keep the caller on hold whilst I finish typing.



Edited by Romanymagic on Tuesday 8th September 12:27

ascayman

13,334 posts

245 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
quotequote all
Tony*T3 said:
Evangelion said:
So it's 11 o'clock this morning and I'm at the front of the queue at the Post Office. There are three assistants behind the barriers, all busy. One is just finishing and the woman she's serving says, "Would you like to see a photo of my nephew, he's in Emmerdale you know" - or some such nonsense. Assistant looks at photo, says something like "Oh that's nice dear, are there any others?" and the woman fishes out more.

Person behind me says, "If you don't mind, there are people waiting here," assistant ignores her and looks at the next photo, "Where was that taken then?" Person behind me has another go. "Excuse me, there's a queue."

Assistant says, "I'm serving." So now I jump in. "No you're not, you've finished and now you're chatting."

Assistant says, "Don't be rude." Turns to Emmerdale-Woman. "Oh that's so rude isn't it?"

So since when was it rude to expect a person to actually do the job they're paid to do instead of just standing watching them waste my time and their employer's money?
So what do you do for a living? Because I'm guessing you dont ever take a moment away from your work, to chat with collegues or customers, to have a breather, post a little on PH, do a little surfing, gaze out the window? No, you work at 100% efficentcy for 100% of the time your paid to, yes? never engage in small talk? you know, like a human would.
when a customer is waiting are you mad????

OnTheOverrun

3,965 posts

206 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
quotequote all
Tony*T3 said:
Evangelion said:
So it's 11 o'clock this morning and I'm at the front of the queue at the Post Office. There are three assistants behind the barriers, all busy. One is just finishing and the woman she's serving says, "Would you like to see a photo of my nephew, he's in Emmerdale you know" - or some such nonsense. Assistant looks at photo, says something like "Oh that's nice dear, are there any others?" and the woman fishes out more.

Person behind me says, "If you don't mind, there are people waiting here," assistant ignores her and looks at the next photo, "Where was that taken then?" Person behind me has another go. "Excuse me, there's a queue."

Assistant says, "I'm serving." So now I jump in. "No you're not, you've finished and now you're chatting."

Assistant says, "Don't be rude." Turns to Emmerdale-Woman. "Oh that's so rude isn't it?"

So since when was it rude to expect a person to actually do the job they're paid to do instead of just standing watching them waste my time and their employer's money?
So what do you do for a living? Because I'm guessing you dont ever take a moment away from your work, to chat with collegues or customers, to have a breather, post a little on PH, do a little surfing, gaze out the window? No, you work at 100% efficentcy for 100% of the time your paid to, yes? never engage in small talk? you know, like a human would.
When paying customers are stood waiting? I don't mind any of my staff swinging the lead a bit, but they do it when it doesn't directly impact our customers.

Dave^

7,894 posts

282 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
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I just want to know which of the Emmerdale cast it was in the photos!!!

Crusoe

4,123 posts

260 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
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mobile phone - video clip - email to boss = p45?

Papa_Hotel

12,760 posts

211 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
quotequote all
Evangelion said:
So it's 11 o'clock this morning and I'm at the front of the queue at the Post Office. There are three assistants behind the barriers, all busy. One is just finishing and the woman she's serving says, "Would you like to see a photo of my nephew, he's in Emmerdale you know" - or some such nonsense.
There are no Indians in Emmerdale so either the Post Office woman is lying, or you are.

I call SHENANIGANS!

Oakey

27,981 posts

245 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
quotequote all
Tony*T3 said:
Evangelion said:
So it's 11 o'clock this morning and I'm at the front of the queue at the Post Office. There are three assistants behind the barriers, all busy. One is just finishing and the woman she's serving says, "Would you like to see a photo of my nephew, he's in Emmerdale you know" - or some such nonsense. Assistant looks at photo, says something like "Oh that's nice dear, are there any others?" and the woman fishes out more.

Person behind me says, "If you don't mind, there are people waiting here," assistant ignores her and looks at the next photo, "Where was that taken then?" Person behind me has another go. "Excuse me, there's a queue."

Assistant says, "I'm serving." So now I jump in. "No you're not, you've finished and now you're chatting."

Assistant says, "Don't be rude." Turns to Emmerdale-Woman. "Oh that's so rude isn't it?"

So since when was it rude to expect a person to actually do the job they're paid to do instead of just standing watching them waste my time and their employer's money?
So what do you do for a living? Because I'm guessing you dont ever take a moment away from your work, to chat with collegues or customers, to have a breather, post a little on PH, do a little surfing, gaze out the window? No, you work at 100% efficentcy for 100% of the time your paid to, yes? never engage in small talk? you know, like a human would.
sorry Tony, but if the woman with the photos wanted a fking conversation she should have phoned the samaritans. I absolutely hate people who decide to ignore the rapidly increasing queue behind them so they can engage the cashier / assistant in mindless drivel.

Rude-boy

22,227 posts

262 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
quotequote all
OnTheOverrun said:
When paying customers are stood waiting? I don't mind any of my staff swinging the lead a bit, but they do it when it doesn't directly impact our customers.
Exactly.

Is the Job done on time.
Is it done correctly.
Is the client happy.

These are the important things. I couldn't care less if my secretary spends all day chatting to her mates on FB or whatever so long as the work i have asked her to do is on time, correct and well presented.

In this case the lady crossed the broader between a quick friendly interaction and pissing off the other customers.

Just as with most things these days though instead of the one in the wrong being contrite they go on the attack and try to make the 'injured' party feel as though they are the one in the wrong.

djohnson

3,681 posts

252 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
quotequote all
Rude-boy said:
Exactly.

Is the Job done on time.
Is it done correctly.
Is the client happy.

These are the important things. I couldn't care less if my secretary spends all day chatting to her mates on FB or whatever so long as the work i have asked her to do is on time, correct and well presented.
Spot on my approach. I care not what time my manager team start work, take their lunch break, finish work or whether they work from the office, home, client site or other. I'm not interested in when they take their holidays or when they don't take their holidays this is completely up to them to sort out. I do however care that our clients are happy, that we make a good profit on each engagement and that we manage the risks properly. If my managers can achieve the latter then they can work in whatever way suits them. If they can't achieve the latter then they know where the door is.

TheCarpetCleaner

7,294 posts

231 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
quotequote all
I don't use the post office where I can help it for this very reason. Always grossly understaffed. 1 hour wasted in the post office is 1 hour wasted where I could be earning money.

Luckily we don't send many large parcels out, and I do all the car tax stuff online. I do feel for people that have to go there on a regular basis. Horrible experience. Always grossly understaffed and they seem to let all their employees go on lunch at the same time.


pits

6,704 posts

219 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
quotequote all
I personally find the banks worse, when you have the personal assistant people sat around doing fk all, a queue out the fking door, 2 people trying to get everything done as quickly as possible. However you always see at least 3 s behind the counter, sat down drinking a coffee or eating, no sign the fk onto your pc and get this queue moving.

Then some from the personal assistant area will come over and ask everyone at the back of queue if they want to use the quick pay in, not the god damn people at the front who have been waiting hours

becksW

14,697 posts

240 months

Tuesday 8th September 2009
quotequote all
As frustrating as it is to those in a hurry we can forget a couple of mins of polite conversation to a customer can make a huge difference to that customer. In post offices especially they still deal with a majority of older folk who do not always get chance to converse too many, post offices always used to be the heart of a community, next to the pub.

Don't get me wrong it would frustrate me to be stuck in a queue due to general chit chat but I would always try to think of the above.