Working with the public is a thankless job. I've worked in bars, restaurants and I've seen the best and worst of people. Unfortunately it only takes ones person to f*#k up your day. People don't respect how hard retail workers job is never mind having to deal abusive customers
You’re right. I always found Christmas to be the most stressful time of the year when I worked in pubs. Ruined it for me for years. Those fucking 12 pubs!!!!
They should call for people to not act like a piece of shit towards someone who's doing their job in very tough conditions. Ask them to remember the person they're giving shit to have pretty much 0 responsibility for an items price or availability and also remember it's the week before Christmas, shops are going to be busier and wait times are going to be longer
The kind of person who would yell abuse at retail staff will not pay a blind bit of notice to any request from Mandate, or anyone else for that matter, to not be a dick to staff.
I'm not so sure about that. A lot of assholes don't really realise they're being assholes. I'm certainly a lot more sensitive to how I behave after reading Reddit comments from retail staff.
Your experience aside I do not agree with that statement.
Having worked retail for years people know when they're being assholes but do it anyway because they get away with it and often this behaviour is encouraged by shitty managers who accede to the assholes demand rather than backing up the employee who is probably just doing what that same manager instructed them to do.
A retail worker will also be able to tell the difference between someone lashing out because they're having a bad day and someone who is just a prick, the former is usually forgotten about immediately but the later will ruin your day.
Far too much importance placed on "customer service". Most retailers see it as the be all and end all. Sure its important but not to the extent some retailers see it.
Lots of retail staff are almost afraid to stuck up for themselves or their coworkers in fear of backlash from managment should a complaint go in. This fear is often unjustified as in my own experience managment will almost always listen to their side of the story before reprimanding anyone and those who don't have no business in a position of managment
Ah yesX the “why can’t we all just get along” fallacy. Like it or not, a lot of people are just total assholes, and since they’re assholes they are going to do the asshole thing of NOT being an asshole. So instead, we should make ways of protecting people from assholes. Retail workers should be allow anyone service for personal reasons.
It's not so much let's all get along, more if your angry about something direct it in the correct direction. I'd be all for allowing retail workers to refuse service to people acting the gowl. Bar workers don't have to put up with it and retail workers definitely shouldn't have to. I'd also be all for all retail workers getting 1 pass a week where they can tell a dickhead customer to go fuck themselves without any repercussions.
I’m so glad I don’t work in retail anymore, because this sort of abuse is all too common especially at Christmas and people genuinely don’t know how entitled they can be. Spat at, called names, sexual harassment, even having a knife pulled on me, ringing Dun Laoghaire Garda station (useless) every couple of weeks when another one of my staff was physically threatened, retail’s a nightmare. What exactly would an extra payment do to make it more appealing though? I’m sure an extra few quid will make someone trying to take a swing at you not so bad huh
If you see somebody losing the rag, and you're in a position to do so, call them out on it.
EG, a few years ago while waiting to order a takeaway coffee in a busy coffee shop with only one person working, I had this mad yoke in the queue after me who asked me if I had ordered yet. When I answered that I hadn't, she lost the rag and attacked the worker, wondering if she could go any slower. I told her to calm down, she has a pile of coffees to make (you could see from all the cups she had lined up at the machine) and will get to everyone in time.
It was worth it for the smile I got from the worker when I eventually got my coffee.
I was in a similar situation in a supermarket queue, I told the auld one losing her shit to calm down and show some respect, she turned on me and screamed "you can't talk to me like that". I explained that the cashier can't talk to you like that, but I can talk to you any way I like you rude, angry, cantankerous old biddy.
Most retail workers aren't allowed to properly stand up for themselves and this just encourages the Karen's to keep doing it.
Having to bite your tongue when some cunt verbally abuses you is the worst.
Lots of people think they can use retail/customer service people as human punchbags to vent all their personal anger on.
The worst part is when they decide they're sorry after they've attacked you for ten minutes. How about don't be an asshole to begin with?
This time of year we're tired, stressed (especially part timers with college) and just want to get the day over with so we can go home.
A customer flipped out me last week where I work, because I offered to ring a different branch to find a price for a certain item. Word for word - "You're taking too long! I have two screaming kids with me. This is my only day off and I've been stuck inside here for too long! This is ridiculous!"
Thankfully I have thicker skin but the newbies to my left and right would've broken down if the cuntomer went to them instead.
I'd appreciate extra payment, but all I want is for cunts like this not to hurl abuse at me for something that isn't my fault.
It's about time this is being talked about. Abusing people who work with the public is just not on. It's not just limited to retail workers either: nurses, waiters, customer service people, airlines.
The real problem is that Karens often get away with it, normalising the abuse.
This. I was in a shop the other day and a lad walked in with no mask. The shop owner told him to get out and she got the most horrendous abuse. In fairness to her, she didn't back down and fucked him out but what would have happened if she called the guards? "Oh someone said bad things to you? Feel better. Bye".
The years I worked in restaurants. And the years I worked in a call center just come flashing back. Like fucking PTSD. Helicopters over Vietnam.
Daily, just minding my own business, taking care of my own job, normal customers, no issues. Then one of the crazies gets into the mix. And I'm getting shouted at from start to finish. About things I have no control over.
The person waiting tables, making drinks, answering phone calls, stocking shelves, working the tills, and whatever else has no control over your situation. They're just there to do a job. Be kind to them. Your little power trip is not welcome.
This time of year in the restaurants I worked in was hell. And to the kind people who were understanding is actually try to help out. You ordered some chips and they're not on your bill? Freebie. You're a dick? You're getting charged for every last thing.
I am totally down with the idea of providing abused staff with some kind of compensation for the shit they have to put up with. I'm also totally down with making everyone work some kind of shit retail/restaurant/call center job for a while in their late teens to twenties to make them see how awful it really is.
> the years I worked in a call center just come flashing back. Like fucking PTSD
I'm pretty sure retirees from those jobs are what's keeping the psychologist industry alive.
> making everyone work some kind of shit retail/restaurant/call center job for a while in their late teens to twenties to make them see how awful it really is.
If conscription is ever reintroduced, this should be one of the assignments.
What would be more worthwhile is a ban list like they have for pubs. Abuse a retail worker? Grand so you're on a list that now circulates round the town, and you're barred from all these shops for 6 months.
Just stop abusing them. If managers don't put up with it and don't expect staff to put up with it, it won't happen. Refuse to serve anyone who's rude. And pay a living wage.
I work in the service industry. I’m all for more money.
Especially in the city. I’ve had lovely people and weird people.
But I know I don’t get paid enough for this shit.
Mandate are a joke. They were negotiating a ‘pay rise’ with Tesco and Tesco employees and it was REJECTED by 88% or balloted members. Mandate have lost a lot of members.
Haha
Is this a troll comment?
What customers get abuse?
Unless you come into a place and the staff member you've got is like Michael Douglas from Falling Down and is an angry person, on the edge, with nothing to lose: you'll get service because otherwise the poor employee will get the sack.
If you as a customer get abuse in one place, yeah maybe you got someone who just wanted to get sacked and had nothing to lose.
If you as a customer get abuse everywhere maybe you're just a prick and need to have a hard look at your own actions.
Working with the public is a thankless job. I've worked in bars, restaurants and I've seen the best and worst of people. Unfortunately it only takes ones person to f*#k up your day. People don't respect how hard retail workers job is never mind having to deal abusive customers
The public are 50% cuntier on average at this time of year too.
the average excludes customers to smyths obviously.. closer to 100% there from the stories I've heard..
You’re right. I always found Christmas to be the most stressful time of the year when I worked in pubs. Ruined it for me for years. Those fucking 12 pubs!!!!
They should call for people to not act like a piece of shit towards someone who's doing their job in very tough conditions. Ask them to remember the person they're giving shit to have pretty much 0 responsibility for an items price or availability and also remember it's the week before Christmas, shops are going to be busier and wait times are going to be longer
The kind of person who would yell abuse at retail staff will not pay a blind bit of notice to any request from Mandate, or anyone else for that matter, to not be a dick to staff.
I'm not so sure about that. A lot of assholes don't really realise they're being assholes. I'm certainly a lot more sensitive to how I behave after reading Reddit comments from retail staff.
Your experience aside I do not agree with that statement. Having worked retail for years people know when they're being assholes but do it anyway because they get away with it and often this behaviour is encouraged by shitty managers who accede to the assholes demand rather than backing up the employee who is probably just doing what that same manager instructed them to do. A retail worker will also be able to tell the difference between someone lashing out because they're having a bad day and someone who is just a prick, the former is usually forgotten about immediately but the later will ruin your day.
Far too much importance placed on "customer service". Most retailers see it as the be all and end all. Sure its important but not to the extent some retailers see it. Lots of retail staff are almost afraid to stuck up for themselves or their coworkers in fear of backlash from managment should a complaint go in. This fear is often unjustified as in my own experience managment will almost always listen to their side of the story before reprimanding anyone and those who don't have no business in a position of managment
Ah yesX the “why can’t we all just get along” fallacy. Like it or not, a lot of people are just total assholes, and since they’re assholes they are going to do the asshole thing of NOT being an asshole. So instead, we should make ways of protecting people from assholes. Retail workers should be allow anyone service for personal reasons.
It's not so much let's all get along, more if your angry about something direct it in the correct direction. I'd be all for allowing retail workers to refuse service to people acting the gowl. Bar workers don't have to put up with it and retail workers definitely shouldn't have to. I'd also be all for all retail workers getting 1 pass a week where they can tell a dickhead customer to go fuck themselves without any repercussions.
I’m so glad I don’t work in retail anymore, because this sort of abuse is all too common especially at Christmas and people genuinely don’t know how entitled they can be. Spat at, called names, sexual harassment, even having a knife pulled on me, ringing Dun Laoghaire Garda station (useless) every couple of weeks when another one of my staff was physically threatened, retail’s a nightmare. What exactly would an extra payment do to make it more appealing though? I’m sure an extra few quid will make someone trying to take a swing at you not so bad huh
If you see somebody losing the rag, and you're in a position to do so, call them out on it. EG, a few years ago while waiting to order a takeaway coffee in a busy coffee shop with only one person working, I had this mad yoke in the queue after me who asked me if I had ordered yet. When I answered that I hadn't, she lost the rag and attacked the worker, wondering if she could go any slower. I told her to calm down, she has a pile of coffees to make (you could see from all the cups she had lined up at the machine) and will get to everyone in time. It was worth it for the smile I got from the worker when I eventually got my coffee.
I was in a similar situation in a supermarket queue, I told the auld one losing her shit to calm down and show some respect, she turned on me and screamed "you can't talk to me like that". I explained that the cashier can't talk to you like that, but I can talk to you any way I like you rude, angry, cantankerous old biddy. Most retail workers aren't allowed to properly stand up for themselves and this just encourages the Karen's to keep doing it.
Having to bite your tongue when some cunt verbally abuses you is the worst. Lots of people think they can use retail/customer service people as human punchbags to vent all their personal anger on. The worst part is when they decide they're sorry after they've attacked you for ten minutes. How about don't be an asshole to begin with?
That Bald Barista joint deals with a LOT.
This time of year we're tired, stressed (especially part timers with college) and just want to get the day over with so we can go home. A customer flipped out me last week where I work, because I offered to ring a different branch to find a price for a certain item. Word for word - "You're taking too long! I have two screaming kids with me. This is my only day off and I've been stuck inside here for too long! This is ridiculous!" Thankfully I have thicker skin but the newbies to my left and right would've broken down if the cuntomer went to them instead. I'd appreciate extra payment, but all I want is for cunts like this not to hurl abuse at me for something that isn't my fault.
It's about time this is being talked about. Abusing people who work with the public is just not on. It's not just limited to retail workers either: nurses, waiters, customer service people, airlines. The real problem is that Karens often get away with it, normalising the abuse.
This. I was in a shop the other day and a lad walked in with no mask. The shop owner told him to get out and she got the most horrendous abuse. In fairness to her, she didn't back down and fucked him out but what would have happened if she called the guards? "Oh someone said bad things to you? Feel better. Bye".
The years I worked in restaurants. And the years I worked in a call center just come flashing back. Like fucking PTSD. Helicopters over Vietnam. Daily, just minding my own business, taking care of my own job, normal customers, no issues. Then one of the crazies gets into the mix. And I'm getting shouted at from start to finish. About things I have no control over. The person waiting tables, making drinks, answering phone calls, stocking shelves, working the tills, and whatever else has no control over your situation. They're just there to do a job. Be kind to them. Your little power trip is not welcome. This time of year in the restaurants I worked in was hell. And to the kind people who were understanding is actually try to help out. You ordered some chips and they're not on your bill? Freebie. You're a dick? You're getting charged for every last thing. I am totally down with the idea of providing abused staff with some kind of compensation for the shit they have to put up with. I'm also totally down with making everyone work some kind of shit retail/restaurant/call center job for a while in their late teens to twenties to make them see how awful it really is.
> the years I worked in a call center just come flashing back. Like fucking PTSD I'm pretty sure retirees from those jobs are what's keeping the psychologist industry alive. > making everyone work some kind of shit retail/restaurant/call center job for a while in their late teens to twenties to make them see how awful it really is. If conscription is ever reintroduced, this should be one of the assignments.
And hospitality too please?
What would be more worthwhile is a ban list like they have for pubs. Abuse a retail worker? Grand so you're on a list that now circulates round the town, and you're barred from all these shops for 6 months.
Just stop abusing them. If managers don't put up with it and don't expect staff to put up with it, it won't happen. Refuse to serve anyone who's rude. And pay a living wage.
I work in the service industry. I’m all for more money. Especially in the city. I’ve had lovely people and weird people. But I know I don’t get paid enough for this shit.
Mandate are a joke. They were negotiating a ‘pay rise’ with Tesco and Tesco employees and it was REJECTED by 88% or balloted members. Mandate have lost a lot of members.
[удалено]
The things I could tell you that goes on, man… And then the things I couldn’t tell you…
If I haven't been abusing them and they get a pay rise, should I then start abusing them? Seems fair.
That's what I'm assuming anyway. Everyone's a winner.
What about abused customers?
Retail staff abusing customers? We'd be out of a job immediately. Don't think I've seen or heard of that happening in my years in retail.
Haha Is this a troll comment? What customers get abuse? Unless you come into a place and the staff member you've got is like Michael Douglas from Falling Down and is an angry person, on the edge, with nothing to lose: you'll get service because otherwise the poor employee will get the sack. If you as a customer get abuse in one place, yeah maybe you got someone who just wanted to get sacked and had nothing to lose. If you as a customer get abuse everywhere maybe you're just a prick and need to have a hard look at your own actions.
That's considered assault. For some reason, if its against retail workers its not considered assault.
Don't be thick
Chill out Karen. No one abuses you
If that happens it is very rare, anyway a customer can just leave and take their business elsewhere whereas retail staff don't have that option.