It doesn't really apply to the situation above but what gets to me A LOT is that without doubt people are getting ruder and ruder.
I've been in retail for 21 years now and the older i get the more rudeness really takes it's toll on me.
I have a small Shopping Centre stall, i don't jump on people, i leave them to browse and do their thing, i do however try to smile, make eye-contact, nod or say hello.
Oh my goodness! Saying hello to people? These days? That's a dirty word!
Also what is it with having no respect for someones stock?
I have t-shirts hanging on the corners of the Unit (as well as 2 eye-level rails) 80% of people will go up to the hanging t-shirts, screw the bottom corner of the t-shirt between their fingers as if to feel the material rubbing it like there is no tomorrow, then swing it right the way round to see the other side, because apparently taking a footstep round the other side is too much trouble!
The amount of broken hangers and manky finger stains is incredible.
Then there is coming to the unit, touching everything, putting it back nowhere near where it belongs, then walking away without any sort of acknowledgement that they have seen you.
My response now...a vaguely loud, but oh so polite, "thank you very much for looking" as they walk away as if you do not exist.
And it is not the stereotypical 'baseball cap brigade' that is the most problematic, it's mostly 40/50/60 year olds, and mostly female.
Politeness really is free of charge.
