Sunny Side of the Two-way Street
Recently I saw some articles concerning the subject of how dealing with persons who are less than gracious can jade even the most enthusiastic service personnel. And of course, there are articles on how if a person is not prepared to deal with ungrateful patrons then they should not be in the industry. Let’s be realistic, we have all had and heard horror stories on both sides of the topic. The thing to me is when is someone being unreasonable in a situation. What has happened to common sense and consideration for fellow human beings?
Out of curiosity, I was wondering what are some of the more ridiculous customer requests other people have seen or heard? And what ridiculous reactions to customer obnoxiousness by a service person have other people heard or seen?
In example, this weekend a customer at a drinking establishment that doesn’t charge a cover for live entertainment and, because it doesn’t have a running kitchen and understands that some people get the munchies when they are drinking, allows patrons to bring in their own snacks. (Not exactly what I would call an unreasonable place.) This particular customer bought one drink, pulled out his own snack, and then expected the drinking establishment to cover the cost of a disposable container in which to place the snack. If a person is going to bring their own eats somewhere, isn’t that person responsible for providing their own accompanying necessities (such as tableware, napkins, etc.)?
9 comments »
Copy link for RSS feed for comments on this post
Leave a comment
Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>
You would think so.I have alot of customers that bring in Parts (They buy cheap in America) Then ask for me to put them on,Problem is if it is defective how can I cover it under some kind of warranty(Shop policy now forbids this!!),It,s kind of like walking into that resturant with your own Eggs and saying can you cook these for me!!!!!.I don,nt think so!!!
Comment by Bradl Lietha — October 5, 2005 @ 6:46 pm
I think you’ll enjoy this new section on life in the service industry. The more I dig into the topic, the more unbelievable some of the expectations and actions of people boggles my mind. At times I really begin to wonder if I were raised on the same planet! 😯
Comment by JAWjaw — October 5, 2005 @ 9:36 pm
We have been self proprietors all of our life.If memory serves me here.Our biggest problems was at the gas station in the use of the bathroom by non customers.The sign said customers only so people would buy a candy bar or so just to use it then commence to smear fecias all over the wall.(This happened once)!!!.Or another thing was getting Irate when we would not let them use our tools to fix there car,Thats happens to today here still,They get real mad.Kind of like bringing in there beer to the JET and saying can I use your glass!! HAHA
Comment by Bradl Lietha — October 6, 2005 @ 8:42 am
Yeah, I know the gas station stuff. At one point my mom was a gas station attendant when I was a kid. Believe it or not, we and other local clubs have had occasions in the past when people deposited feces on the bathroom floors! As far as the bringing in of outside drinks, that’s just plain rude and it does happen. What I do is collect the beverage as I walk by the table. I don’t know why people over here think they have a right to behave as obnoxiously as possible. Even many of the locals thrive on nothing but negative attention.
Comment by JAWjaw — October 6, 2005 @ 10:12 am
You know it,s funny I have always wondered why people try to perform stupid acts here that they would never attempt in the states,Maybe it,s because in the states somebody would just pull out a gun and have their way with them.Also many of these kids have never been away from home before.Gate 2 street has an aurora about it that is hard to pin down Ha?.
Comment by Bradl Lietha — October 6, 2005 @ 1:41 pm
Luckily where and when I grew up there wasn’t much violence. It was almost one of those “Wonder Years” type upbringings. A small town with a farmer’s field at the end of the block. (In fact I checked Google Maps and the farmer’s field is still there!!!) And believe it or not, there really was a small town (at least at that time, I don’t know how small it is anymore since I left in ’73) just outside San Antone called China Grove. The Doobie Brothers weren’t kidding. (Also there was a place in Alaska in the early ’60s called Cherry Hill Park!!! – as long as I’m talking about songs with names of places I’ve been.)
But I digress; it doesn’t really seem to be a matter of what physical age these guys are. Some of the younger men are much more mature than the older boys. Aura or no aura I guess it comes down to the same old thing, it’s just who the person is as a person that makes the difference.:wink:
Comment by JAWjaw — October 6, 2005 @ 4:58 pm
A well stated Fact!!.On most Fri,s and Sats you 2 (Taki too) must just shake your heads,and at times get real frustrated,And just want to quit,But the fact of the emotional music keeps you,s coming back.
Comment by Bradl Lietha — October 7, 2005 @ 9:59 am
Taki’s been dealing the nonsense that can happen at the club since June 1994 (me since July 1997). Thing is, most of the time we really are blessed with great customers who come, kick-back, and get-off on listening and watching the band. After all, THEY (the band) are the entertainment!!!
Comment by JAWjaw — October 7, 2005 @ 10:05 am
I as well have my percentage of good customers.In this business of bikes it is hard to please even when the job is done right,Customers with bikes are picky it,s almost like there bikes are a cult Bike..BTW I am playing Debby Boones you light up my life today.With great emotinal success HAHA.That song was So popular in 1976.
Comment by Bradl Lietha — October 7, 2005 @ 3:33 pm