By E.J. Smith

Does it get on your last nerve when store associates (formerly clerks) talk to each other and ignore you during check-out? Or they seem angry and throw things into the bag or just don’t speak during the transaction. Now, I’m not saying that all store associates are rude. I have met some around here who are very nice, helpful and seem genuine in their actions, i.e. Lowe’s: I love going to Lowe’s! Staff asks you if you need help and proceed to help you or get someone who can. They pay attention during check-out and give you their full attention. That’s service folks! It’s the few associates in some stores that are disrespectful that give them all a reputation for being rude and uncaring. What are we to do? Well, if your employer (or your Mama) has not properly trained you in etiquette, ask for your job description and see what it says about how to interact with customers. If it does not cover politeness and respect, then ask your employer to include it in their job descriptions. Employers, you can hold workshops on how to be nice to customers. If their Mama didn’t teach them, then you’d better, if you want your customers to return and to recommend your store to others.

Talking to each other while you are helping a customer falls under inappropriate manners as well. I have only one question: Why do you air your private lives for all to hear? Trust me, none of us want to hear about your boyfriend’s other woman or your cousin’s drug problem. We all have problems and are told when we get a job; leave your problems at home. If your boss hears of you discussing your personal problems within the work place, I’m almost sure you will be fired. I would fire you. If you have a problem with something going on at your workplace, you should take it up with your supervisor, not hash it over with the clerk at the register next to you. Duh! She is not the only one who hears you! Before long, everyone in town will know that your workplace is not a place they want to apply for a job. You boss will not like that!

The other day, I stopped by a business to see an associate about some work he had done for me. He was busy with a woman purchasing quite a bit of electronics and the other employee was helping a man with a guitar. They both saw me come in and stand there waiting. Fifteen minutes went by. Finally, when finished with the guitar customer, the man asked me if I needed help with something. I think either of these patrons would not have minded if he had said to me, “I’ll be with you as soon as I finish with this person,” a simple courtesy to let me know they knew I was there and would be attended to shortly. I would have felt more comfortable while waiting knowing that I was someone worth acknowledging. Both of these men were very courteous and helpful except for this infraction of simple etiquette. They were not intentionally rude, they just need to stop and think of how someone feels, standing there, feeling helpless. Listen up, employees and employers, people still appreciate good manners!

The following situation also is not acceptable: the clerk is busy with paperwork or something else that needs to be done and totally ignores the person standing right in front of them. Please People! What does it hurt to just pause and say, “I’ll be with you as soon as I finish this task.” An easy solution to alleviate someone’s discomfort while waiting.

Sometimes, associates in stores may seem distant or distraught. Some personal troubles are just too intense to leave at home and some folks cannot afford to miss work. If you are in this position, talk with your supervisor before your shift starts, so that (s)he will know to check on you and help you out if you need it.

One morning in a grocery store, I noticed the young lady checking me out had a sullen look on her face and was not communicating well with me. For a change, I did not get angry, but decided she might need better than that, so I said that I hope her day improved. She started crying and told me a tragic story that prompted me to give her a hug and promise prayer for her plight. She seemed to cheer up a little and said she believed she could face the day.

So folks, it goes both ways! We should expect common courtesy from those paid to be of assistance to us, just as we expect it from family and friends, and we should think before we speak to someone we assume is being rude. Be kind to one another.

As always, I welcome comments and want to hear what burns your biscuits. Contact me at burnsmybiscuit@gmail.com and I will put your pet peeves in print!

You are in my prayers,

E.J.