On 2012-12-20, jmcquown > wrote:

> Going to Walmart is, for me, close to a 70 mile round trip. I'd have to
> want something pretty badly to make that drive. Or at least need/want
> something from other stores in that area to make the trip worthwhile.

Yes, I have to make a similar trip, next week. A Walmart 70 miles
away is the closest WW that has a Dr Scholls foot measuring machine,
which was recommended by my doc to provide an orthotic for my plantar
fascitis, which has recently gimped me up pretty severely. Otherwise,
it's walmart.com. Sometimes WW is a necessary evil. :|

nb

"notbob" > wrote in message
...
> On 2012-12-20, jmcquown > wrote:
>
>> Going to Walmart is, for me, close to a 70 mile round trip. I'd have to
>> want something pretty badly to make that drive. Or at least need/want
>> something from other stores in that area to make the trip worthwhile.
>
> Yes, I have to make a similar trip, next week. A Walmart 70 miles
> away is the closest WW that has a Dr Scholls foot measuring machine,
> which was recommended by my doc to provide an orthotic for my plantar
> fascitis, which has recently gimped me up pretty severely. Otherwise,
> it's walmart.com. Sometimes WW is a necessary evil. :|
>
> nb

There is one a mile from me, and I can ride my bike over fairly easily. One
of those "neighborhood grocery" stores. I feel dirty when I go in it, but
they have Bertolli marina spag sauce for only $1.99 (Kroger et al are $3.29
or more.) They also have good price on Sabra hummus... It's kinda odd
place, workers there never look very happy and the store has that industrial
warehouse feel with not very bright lighting. And there are never very many
customers in it. It's kinda depressing. Though it is clean.

Last week, I asked someone working there if they had Matzo, and you could
tell she had no idea what that was and just pointed me toward the aisle with
Ritz crackers.

"Somebody" wrote:
>
>"notbob" > wrote in message
...
>> On 2012-12-20, jmcquown > wrote:
>>
>>> Going to Walmart is, for me, close to a 70 mile round trip. I'd have to
>>> want something pretty badly to make that drive. Or at least need/want
>>> something from other stores in that area to make the trip worthwhile.
>>
>> Yes, I have to make a similar trip, next week. A Walmart 70 miles
>> away is the closest WW that has a Dr Scholls foot measuring machine,
>> which was recommended by my doc to provide an orthotic for my plantar
>> fascitis, which has recently gimped me up pretty severely. Otherwise,
>> it's walmart.com. Sometimes WW is a necessary evil. :|
>>
>> nb
>
>There is one a mile from me, and I can ride my bike over fairly easily.
>One of those "neighborhood grocery" stores. I feel dirty when I go in it,
>but they have Bertolli marina spag sauce for only $1.99 (Kroger et al are
>$3.29 or more.) They also have good price on Sabra hummus... It's kinda
>odd place, workers there never look very happy and the store has that
>industrial warehouse feel with not very bright lighting. And there are
>never very many customers in it. It's kinda depressing. Though it is
>clean.
>
>Last week, I asked someone working there if they had Matzo, and you could
>tell she had no idea what that was and just pointed me toward the aisle
>with Ritz crackers.

I have a WalMart Market a couple miles from my house. My experience is
complete opposite. The store is clean and well-kept and the employees are,
and I'm not exaggerating, the friendliest, most polite people of any store
around here. You cannot pass one without them saying "Hi" or "How are you
doing today".
--
bill_n

On Thursday, December 20, 2012 7:08:50 PM UTC-6, billn wrote:
> "Somebody" wrote:
>
> >
>
> >"notbob" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
> >> On 2012-12-20, jmcquown > wrote:
>
> >>
>
> >>> Going to Walmart is, for me, close to a 70 mile round trip. I'd have to
>
> >>> want something pretty badly to make that drive. Or at least need/want
>
> >>> something from other stores in that area to make the trip worthwhile.
>
> >>
>
> >> Yes, I have to make a similar trip, next week. A Walmart 70 miles
>
> >> away is the closest WW that has a Dr Scholls foot measuring machine,
>
> >> which was recommended by my doc to provide an orthotic for my plantar
>
> >> fascitis, which has recently gimped me up pretty severely. Otherwise,
>
> >> it's walmart.com. Sometimes WW is a necessary evil. :|
>
> >>
>
> >> nb
>
> >
>
> >There is one a mile from me, and I can ride my bike over fairly easily.
>
> >One of those "neighborhood grocery" stores. I feel dirty when I go in it,
>
> >but they have Bertolli marina spag sauce for only $1.99 (Kroger et al are
>
> >$3.29 or more.) They also have good price on Sabra hummus... It's kinda
>
> >odd place, workers there never look very happy and the store has that
>
> >industrial warehouse feel with not very bright lighting. And there are
>
> >never very many customers in it. It's kinda depressing. Though it is
>
> >clean.
>
> >
>
> >Last week, I asked someone working there if they had Matzo, and you could
>
> >tell she had no idea what that was and just pointed me toward the aisle
>
> >with Ritz crackers.
>
>
>
> I have a WalMart Market a couple miles from my house. My experience is
>
> complete opposite. The store is clean and well-kept and the employees are,
>
> and I'm not exaggerating, the friendliest, most polite people of any store
>
> around here. You cannot pass one without them saying "Hi" or "How are you
>
> doing today".

The one a few blocks from my house is staffed by the most inept, slow, and stupid folks of any store around here. The other end of the spectrum is ALDI and Trader Joe's. Wal Mart pays shitty wages, then coaches their staff on how to get Medicaid and foodstamps.
>
> --
>
> bill_n

--Bryan

On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:08:50 -0600, "billn" > wrote:

> I have a WalMart Market a couple miles from my house. My experience is
> complete opposite. The store is clean and well-kept and the employees are,
> and I'm not exaggerating, the friendliest, most polite people of any store
> around here. You cannot pass one without them saying "Hi" or "How are you
> doing today".

Don't kid yourself. That's just store/corporate "training".

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

"sf" wrote:
>
>On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:08:50 -0600, "billn" > wrote:
>
>> I have a WalMart Market a couple miles from my house. My experience is
>> complete opposite. The store is clean and well-kept and the employees
>> are,
>> and I'm not exaggerating, the friendliest, most polite people of any
>> store
>> around here. You cannot pass one without them saying "Hi" or "How are
>> you
>> doing today".
>
>Don't kid yourself. That's just store/corporate "training".

I don't doubt it for a minute. But I don't think there's anything wrong
with greeting a customer.

There's too many sullen, unresponsive store employees anyway. (Although I
realize from first hand experience that management can cause that too)
--
bill_n

On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:46:15 -0600, "billn" > wrote:

> "sf" wrote:
> >
> >On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:08:50 -0600, "billn" > wrote:
> >
> >> I have a WalMart Market a couple miles from my house. My experience is
> >> complete opposite. The store is clean and well-kept and the employees
> >> are,
> >> and I'm not exaggerating, the friendliest, most polite people of any
> >> store
> >> around here. You cannot pass one without them saying "Hi" or "How are
> >> you
> >> doing today".
> >
> >Don't kid yourself. That's just store/corporate "training".
>
> I don't doubt it for a minute. But I don't think there's anything wrong
> with greeting a customer.
>
> There's too many sullen, unresponsive store employees anyway. (Although I
> realize from first hand experience that management can cause that too)

Not a problem for me either (when it's not over done), but you came
across as wide eyed and innocent about standard corporate training.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

"sf" wrote:
>
>On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:46:15 -0600, "billn" > wrote:
>
>> "sf" wrote:
>> >
>> >On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:08:50 -0600, "billn" > wrote:
>> >
>> >> I have a WalMart Market a couple miles from my house. My experience
>> >> is
>> >> complete opposite. The store is clean and well-kept and the employees
>> >> are,
>> >> and I'm not exaggerating, the friendliest, most polite people of any
>> >> store
>> >> around here. You cannot pass one without them saying "Hi" or "How are
>> >> you
>> >> doing today".
>> >
>> >Don't kid yourself. That's just store/corporate "training".
>>
>> I don't doubt it for a minute. But I don't think there's anything wrong
>> with greeting a customer.
>>
>> There's too many sullen, unresponsive store employees anyway. (Although
>> I
>> realize from first hand experience that management can cause that too)
>
>Not a problem for me either (when it's not over done), but you came
>across as wide eyed and innocent about standard corporate training.

Just a case of the typed words being a poor substitute for face-to-face
conversation.

For the last 20 years I've been involved in retail sales in a large medical
institution. It's very important how one treats customers. :-)
--
bill_n

"billn" > wrote in message
...
> "sf" wrote:
>>
>>On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:08:50 -0600, "billn" > wrote:
>>
>>> I have a WalMart Market a couple miles from my house. My experience is
>>> complete opposite. The store is clean and well-kept and the employees
>>> are,
>>> and I'm not exaggerating, the friendliest, most polite people of any
>>> store
>>> around here. You cannot pass one without them saying "Hi" or "How are
>>> you
>>> doing today".
>>
>>Don't kid yourself. That's just store/corporate "training".
>
> I don't doubt it for a minute. But I don't think there's anything wrong
> with greeting a customer.
>
> There's too many sullen, unresponsive store employees anyway. (Although I
> realize from first hand experience that management can cause that too)
> --
> bill_n

Also, retail clerks are told to greet customer to decrease shrinkage.
Supposedly, there is less theft if would be thieves know they have been
noticed.

On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 08:32:33 -0500, "Somebody" >
wrote:

> Also, retail clerks are told to greet customer to decrease shrinkage.
> Supposedly, there is less theft if would be thieves know they have been
> noticed.

In Grocery stores? I've only seen one grocery shop lifter in my life
and nobody seemed to care. I brought their attention to him, but they
just let him walk out. It was a homeless guy and it was just one
large can of food. I guess it was their way of feeding the homeless.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 12/20/2012 10:57 PM, sf wrote:
> On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:08:50 -0600, "billn" > wrote:
>
>> I have a WalMart Market a couple miles from my house. My experience is
>> complete opposite. The store is clean and well-kept and the employees are,
>> and I'm not exaggerating, the friendliest, most polite people of any store
>> around here. You cannot pass one without them saying "Hi" or "How are you
>> doing today".
>
> Don't kid yourself. That's just store/corporate "training".
>

I think it goes beyond that. When I was in retail management, I noticed
that there were "happy" stores... stores where the employees seems
friendlier than other stores that were pretty close by. I noticed that
the managers of the "happy" stores tended to be more outgoing and
friendly and approachable to their employees. Managers who were "by the
book" types tended to have less friendly stores (and a higher employee
turnover rate).

A buddy and I decided to try this in our own stores... we tried to "walk
the floor" every day and said hello to every employee and listen to them
if they had suggestions, etc. We got to know them a people, not just
employees. It didn't take long to see a difference in attitude.

I see the same thing on cruise ships. There are happy ships and
invariably the Captain is highly visible and friendly, and there are
other ships where the work might be done very efficiently, but the
Captain is more of an administrator and seldom seen and they lack the
"feel" of the happier ships. The Princess ship I was just on was a
happy ship. The HAL ship I was on earlier this year... not so much.

It is all subjective.

George L

"George Leppla" > wrote in message
...
> On 12/20/2012 10:57 PM, sf wrote:
>> On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:08:50 -0600, "billn" > wrote:
>>
>>> I have a WalMart Market a couple miles from my house. My experience is
>>> complete opposite. The store is clean and well-kept and the employees
>>> are,
>>> and I'm not exaggerating, the friendliest, most polite people of any
>>> store
>>> around here. You cannot pass one without them saying "Hi" or "How are
>>> you
>>> doing today".
>>
>> Don't kid yourself. That's just store/corporate "training".
>>
>
> I think it goes beyond that. When I was in retail management, I noticed
> that there were "happy" stores... stores where the employees seems
> friendlier than other stores that were pretty close by. I noticed that
> the managers of the "happy" stores tended to be more outgoing and friendly
> and approachable to their employees. Managers who were "by the book"
> types tended to have less friendly stores (and a higher employee turnover
> rate).
>
> A buddy and I decided to try this in our own stores... we tried to "walk
> the floor" every day and said hello to every employee and listen to them
> if they had suggestions, etc. We got to know them a people, not just
> employees. It didn't take long to see a difference in attitude.

Very true. I believe they called it: "Management by Walking Around". We
had a new manager at the college bookstore, and the guy came around and
talked to employees-- while they were working. And we were aghast when he
actually got on the register and rang people up for about 15 minutes!

The previous manager used to just sit in her office and drink during her
lunch hour. One of the cashiers did coke in the bathroom to get through her
shift. (I wondered why she was always snorting kinda loud once in awhile
when working.)

The guy who managed by walking around was the best manager I've ever had.
You felt valued and that he genuinely cared, and actually knew something
about what you did. Most managers seem to have no idea what their employees
really do.

I'd rather shop at a store that has happy employees, even if it costs a
little more.

On 12/21/2012 8:27 AM, George Leppla wrote:

> I think it goes beyond that. When I was in retail management, I noticed
> that there were "happy" stores... stores where the employees seems
> friendlier than other stores that were pretty close by.

The Costco I go to used to be a "happy" store, up until maybe
last Christmas or so. The cashiers were friendly, maybe joked
around or made preparation suggestions for what you were buying.

Now, it's not that they are hostile the way I've seen cashiers at
some stores, but they just do their job without looking up, and
a lot of times they're bitching to each other about something.

I thought there must have been a new manager in town.

nancy

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
.com...
> The Costco I go to used to be a "happy" store, up until maybe
> last Christmas or so. The cashiers were friendly, maybe joked
> around or made preparation suggestions for what you were buying.
>
> Now, it's not that they are hostile the way I've seen cashiers at
> some stores, but they just do their job without looking up, and
> a lot of times they're bitching to each other about something.
>
> I thought there must have been a new manager in town.
>
> nancy

I used to love going to King Soopers when I first lived in Denver, people
were all friendly and had a great atmosphere. A couple years later there
were contract talks and they ended up striking, you could feel the
difference in the stores and even after the strike was settled the stores
were never the same.

On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 07:27:21 -0600, George Leppla
> wrote:



>I think it goes beyond that. When I was in retail management, I noticed
>that there were "happy" stores... stores where the employees seems
>friendlier than other stores that were pretty close by. I noticed that
>the managers of the "happy" stores tended to be more outgoing and
>friendly and approachable to their employees. Managers who were "by the
>book" types tended to have less friendly stores (and a higher employee
>turnover rate).
>
>A buddy and I decided to try this in our own stores... we tried to "walk
>the floor" every day and said hello to every employee and listen to them
>if they had suggestions, etc. We got to know them a people, not just
>employees. It didn't take long to see a difference in attitude.

I do the same thing. I see every employee every day. I make it a
point to say hello and give them the opportunity to talk if they so
desire. It save a lot of aggravation by listening to what they say
and taking action if needed. Workers that feel connected do a better
job and care about doing a good job for the customer. Sometimes they
just want to say something about a TV show from the night before,
other times it is to tell me about a safety issue they noticed, or
some supplies getting low.

Profit sharing and bonuses are important too. Employees will take the
time to do things right and keep cost down if they know they will be
rewarded for their efforts.

Ed Pawlowski > wrote:

>I do the same thing. I see every employee every day. I make it a
>point to say hello and give them the opportunity to talk if they so
>desire. It save a lot of aggravation by listening to what they say
>and taking action if needed. Workers that feel connected do a better
>job and care about doing a good job for the customer. Sometimes they
>just want to say something about a TV show from the night before,
>other times it is to tell me about a safety issue they noticed, or
>some supplies getting low.
>
>Profit sharing and bonuses are important too. Employees will take the
>time to do things right and keep cost down if they know they will be
>rewarded for their efforts.

Yes, appeal to their sense of belonging and make them feel validated.
*puke*



S.

Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>
> Profit sharing and bonuses are important too. Employees will take the
> time to do things right and keep cost down if they know they will be
> rewarded for their efforts.

In my company the current boss is the son of who really ran the business for
50 years. 3 years ago, his mother died and his dad died with her mentally.
He's given up on life. So now the business is all up to the son.

He's a lazy ass that doesn't want to work. He immediately cut out all
benefits like vacation time and christmas bonuses. He wants all the profits
for himself.

This year I got tired of it. I mentioned Christmas bonus and he starts
crying about no money in the business account. This year I called him on
that and explained just WHY there was no money in the company account.

So I got one this year but sad that I had to guilt him into it. Would have
been better if he had done that on his own to show appreciation.

G.

On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:02:13 -0800, The Other Guy
> wrote:

> On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:57:14 -0800, sf > wrote:
>
> >On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:08:50 -0600, "billn" > wrote:
> >
> >> I have a WalMart Market a couple miles from my house. My experience is
> >> complete opposite. The store is clean and well-kept and the employees are,
> >> and I'm not exaggerating, the friendliest, most polite people of any store
> >> around here. You cannot pass one without them saying "Hi" or "How are you
> >> doing today".
> >
> >Don't kid yourself. That's just store/corporate "training".
>
> I DON'T understand??
>
> You think it's BAD that they train employees to that standard??
>
Are you billn's alter ego?

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

In article >,
says...
>
> "Somebody" wrote:
> >
> >"notbob" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> On 2012-12-20, jmcquown > wrote:
> >>
> >>> Going to Walmart is, for me, close to a 70 mile round trip. I'd have to
> >>> want something pretty badly to make that drive. Or at least need/want
> >>> something from other stores in that area to make the trip worthwhile.
> >>
> >> Yes, I have to make a similar trip, next week. A Walmart 70 miles
> >> away is the closest WW that has a Dr Scholls foot measuring machine,
> >> which was recommended by my doc to provide an orthotic for my plantar
> >> fascitis, which has recently gimped me up pretty severely. Otherwise,
> >> it's walmart.com. Sometimes WW is a necessary evil. :|
> >>
> >> nb
> >
> >There is one a mile from me, and I can ride my bike over fairly easily.
> >One of those "neighborhood grocery" stores. I feel dirty when I go in it,
> >but they have Bertolli marina spag sauce for only $1.99 (Kroger et al are
> >$3.29 or more.) They also have good price on Sabra hummus... It's kinda
> >odd place, workers there never look very happy and the store has that
> >industrial warehouse feel with not very bright lighting. And there are
> >never very many customers in it. It's kinda depressing. Though it is
> >clean.
> >
> >Last week, I asked someone working there if they had Matzo, and you could
> >tell she had no idea what that was and just pointed me toward the aisle
> >with Ritz crackers.
>
> I have a WalMart Market a couple miles from my house. My experience is
> complete opposite. The store is clean and well-kept and the employees are,
> and I'm not exaggerating, the friendliest, most polite people of any store
> around here. You cannot pass one without them saying "Hi" or "How are you
> doing today".

The nearest WalMart to me in Providence is a ghetto store. The one in
Warwick, not far from Providence is also of the same type.

The Coventry store however is purely a suburban experience.

On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:08:50 -0600, "billn" > wrote:

>"Somebody" wrote:
>>
>>"notbob" > wrote in message
...
>>> On 2012-12-20, jmcquown > wrote:
>>>
>>>> Going to Walmart is, for me, close to a 70 mile round trip. I'd have to
>>>> want something pretty badly to make that drive. Or at least need/want
>>>> something from other stores in that area to make the trip worthwhile.
>>>
>>> Yes, I have to make a similar trip, next week. A Walmart 70 miles
>>> away is the closest WW that has a Dr Scholls foot measuring machine,
>>> which was recommended by my doc to provide an orthotic for my plantar
>>> fascitis, which has recently gimped me up pretty severely. Otherwise,
>>> it's walmart.com. Sometimes WW is a necessary evil. :|
>>>
>>> nb
>>
>>There is one a mile from me, and I can ride my bike over fairly easily.
>>One of those "neighborhood grocery" stores. I feel dirty when I go in it,
>>but they have Bertolli marina spag sauce for only $1.99 (Kroger et al are
>>$3.29 or more.) They also have good price on Sabra hummus... It's kinda
>>odd place, workers there never look very happy and the store has that
>>industrial warehouse feel with not very bright lighting. And there are
>>never very many customers in it. It's kinda depressing. Though it is
>>clean.
>>
>>Last week, I asked someone working there if they had Matzo, and you could
>>tell she had no idea what that was and just pointed me toward the aisle
>>with Ritz crackers.

If they pointed you to the crackers aisle (rather than the canned fish
aisle) then they knew exactly what matzo is... they just didn't know
exactly where the matzo was stocked.

>I have a WalMart Market a couple miles from my house. My experience is
>complete opposite. The store is clean and well-kept and the employees are,
>and I'm not exaggerating, the friendliest, most polite people of any store
>around here. You cannot pass one without them saying "Hi" or "How are you
>doing today".

Every Walmart is different the same as every retail store is different
depending on the socieo economic nature of the neighborhood in which
it's located. If you go to the Walmart web site it will ask you which
store to make your own... same as many other large chain retailers do,
like Home Depot, Lowe's, Tractor Supply, etc. I live between two
Super Walmarts, the one north of me is a much nicer store in every
way, it's in a more affluent neighborhood. All retail stores cater to
the needs and caliber of people living at that location. Whenever I
read about people who don't like Walmart I know that they live in a
ghetto.

On 12/20/2012 9:20 PM, Sqwertz wrote:
> On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:08:50 -0600, billn wrote:
>
>> I have a WalMart Market a couple miles from my house. My experience is
>> complete opposite. The store is clean and well-kept and the employees are,
>> and I'm not exaggerating, the friendliest, most polite people of any store
>> around here. You cannot pass one without them saying "Hi" or "How are you
>> doing today".
>
> How annoying!
>
> -sw
>
Some stores (and restaurants) require their employees to do that. And
yes, it can be annoying. But it's better than being ignored completely
if you are looking for something and need assistance.

Jill

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 12/20/2012 9:20 PM, Sqwertz wrote:
>> On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:08:50 -0600, billn wrote:
>>
>>> I have a WalMart Market a couple miles from my house. My experience is
>>> complete opposite. The store is clean and well-kept and the employees
>>> are,
>>> and I'm not exaggerating, the friendliest, most polite people of any
>>> store
>>> around here. You cannot pass one without them saying "Hi" or "How are
>>> you
>>> doing today".
>>
>> How annoying!
>>
>> -sw
>>
> Some stores (and restaurants) require their employees to do that. And
> yes, it can be annoying. But it's better than being ignored completely if
> you are looking for something and need assistance.
>
> Jill


There was a story a while back that Safeway was making cashiers smile at
customers and talk to them... The cashier's didn't like the policy though,
as some of the creepy males would then "hit on" the female cashier...
Forced niceness should not be required. Sometimes I like when the clerk is
just a sullen goth that doesn't try and make small talk and just efficiently
rings things up and I am quickly on my way.

On 12/20/2012 8:40 PM, Somebody wrote:
> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 12/20/2012 9:20 PM, Sqwertz wrote:
>>> On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:08:50 -0600, billn wrote:
>>>
>>>> I have a WalMart Market a couple miles from my house. My experience is
>>>> complete opposite. The store is clean and well-kept and the employees
>>>> are,
>>>> and I'm not exaggerating, the friendliest, most polite people of any
>>>> store
>>>> around here. You cannot pass one without them saying "Hi" or "How are
>>>> you
>>>> doing today".
>>>
>>> How annoying!
>>>
>>> -sw
>>>
>> Some stores (and restaurants) require their employees to do that. And
>> yes, it can be annoying. But it's better than being ignored completely if
>> you are looking for something and need assistance.
>>
>> Jill
>
>
> There was a story a while back that Safeway was making cashiers smile at
> customers and talk to them... The cashier's didn't like the policy though,
> as some of the creepy males would then "hit on" the female cashier...
> Forced niceness should not be required. Sometimes I like when the clerk is
> just a sullen goth that doesn't try and make small talk and just efficiently
> rings things up and I am quickly on my way.
>
>
>
My son was never a morning person. So bad was he in the morning that I
was certain he'd be court martialed the first day of his Army career
when they tried to get him out of bed. He had a part-time job at a
McDonalds while in college and was fired because he could did not smile
and greet the patrons cheerfully.

--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.

"Janet Wilder" > wrote in message
eb.com...
> My son was never a morning person. So bad was he in the morning that I was
> certain he'd be court martialed the first day of his Army career when they
> tried to get him out of bed. He had a part-time job at a McDonalds while
> in college and was fired because he could did not smile and greet the
> patrons cheerfully.

I like your son!

In HS, some kid told me I smiled too much-- what was so happy about? (In a
kinda threatening way.) So I started smiling less. Then one of my friends
said: why don't you ever smile?

On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 21:40:54 -0500, "Somebody" >
wrote:

>
>There was a story a while back that Safeway was making cashiers smile at
>customers and talk to them... The cashier's didn't like the policy though,
>as some of the creepy males would then "hit on" the female cashier...
>Forced niceness should not be required. Sometimes I like when the clerk is
>just a sullen goth that doesn't try and make small talk and just efficiently
>rings things up and I am quickly on my way.

Depends where one lives. When I shop the stores in my rural area
everyone knows each other and small talk is expected, even if only
about the weather. Patrons have brief conversations and none hit on
the cashiers... doesn't mean there isn't any hanky panky going on
amongst the patrons on line.

"jmcquown" wrote:
>
>On 12/20/2012 9:20 PM, Sqwertz wrote:
>> On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:08:50 -0600, billn wrote:
>>
>>> I have a WalMart Market a couple miles from my house. My experience is
>>> complete opposite. The store is clean and well-kept and the employees
>>> are,
>>> and I'm not exaggerating, the friendliest, most polite people of any
>>> store
>>> around here. You cannot pass one without them saying "Hi" or "How are
>>> you
>>> doing today".
>>
>> How annoying!
>>
>> -sw
>>
>Some stores (and restaurants) require their employees to do that. And yes,
>it can be annoying. But it's better than being ignored completely if you
>are looking for something and need assistance.

Or feeling like you, the customer are just an inconvenience in their day. I
don't mind talking to people, if they talk to me, I'll respond, sometimes
even joke around with them.
--
bill n
________________________________________________
>^..^< "I'm only here for the cat pics" ® >^..^<
>^..^< >^..^< >^..^< >^..^< >^..^< >^..^< >^..^<

On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:41:16 -0600, "billn" > wrote:

> "jmcquown" wrote:
> >
> >>
> >Some stores (and restaurants) require their employees to do that. And yes,
> >it can be annoying. But it's better than being ignored completely if you
> >are looking for something and need assistance.
>
> Or feeling like you, the customer are just an inconvenience in their day. I
> don't mind talking to people, if they talk to me, I'll respond, sometimes
> even joke around with them.

I don't have a problem walking up to an employee and making my needs
known, but I am really annoyed when there's no one around to ask.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

"Sqwertz" wrote:
>
>On Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:08:50 -0600, billn wrote:
>
>> I have a WalMart Market a couple miles from my house. My experience is
>> complete opposite. The store is clean and well-kept and the employees
>> are,
>> and I'm not exaggerating, the friendliest, most polite people of any
>> store
>> around here. You cannot pass one without them saying "Hi" or "How are
>> you
>> doing today".
>
>How annoying!

Why annoying? I thought of it as just being nice to the customer.

Last time I was there, I passed 3 employees. The first was stocking fruit
as I came upon him and he said "Hi". The second was pushing a cart for
restocking and said "How you doing today?" or some such and the third was
the checkout girl who greeted me as we were checking out.

I didn't mean to make it sound like a flock of store workers were harrassing
me, LOL!

--
bill_n

On Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:41:07 -0600, Sqwertz >
wrote:

>
>When I'm in a grocery store, I'm trying
>to make eye contact with the shelves and am mentally making dinner
>(and lunch) plans. Having to smile and nod throws off my game plan

Low brain cell count.

On 12/21/2012 1:41 AM, Sqwertz wrote:

> And if I'm not susceptible to making eye contact with any of the
> employees and am deep in thought, then they often interpret that as
> I'm trying to find something and offer to guide me.

Same here. They think I'm lost or can't find something, while
I'm thinking What was that one other thing I needed?? or something
like that. Thanks for asking, but you can't help me.

This morning all of the employees at the supermarket were friendly
and helpful. On the way out, I saw a bunch of management types in
a huddle, which explains the extra-attentive treatment. The bigshots
were on site.

nancy

On Thursday, December 20, 2012 10:57:50 AM UTC-6, notbob wrote:
> On 2012-12-20, jmcquown > wrote:
>
>
>
> > Going to Walmart is, for me, close to a 70 mile round trip. I'd have to
>
> > want something pretty badly to make that drive. Or at least need/want
>
> > something from other stores in that area to make the trip worthwhile.
>
>
>
> Yes, I have to make a similar trip, next week. A Walmart 70 miles
>
> away is the closest WW that has a Dr Scholls foot measuring machine,
>
> which was recommended by my doc to provide an orthotic for my plantar
>
> fascitis, which has recently gimped me up pretty severely. Otherwise,
>
> it's walmart.com. Sometimes WW is a necessary evil. :|
>
Walgreens has those too. So does CVS.
>
> nb

--Bryan