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#Post#: 42215--------------------------------------------------
Re: How "friendly" do we want service people to be?
By: oogyda Date: November 18, 2019, 11:39 am
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[quote author=Despedina link=topic=1408.msg42210#msg42210
date=1574096046]
I worked at a grocery store where we were told to use the
customer's name if we could see it on a credit card or check. I
hated doing it. I didn't know these people and many had uncommon
german and french last names that were not easy to pronounce.
In those cases we were told to ask how to pronounce their name
then say "Have a nice day Mr. Whatsyername". I had 2 customers
that told me it was unnecessary and strange for me to address
them by name as we didn't know each other. One lady seemed very
offended. I never used personal names after that.
[/quote]
Some businesses use that tactic as a security measure. If the
person doesn't really respond to their name, it can be an
indication that it isn't their credit card or checking acvount,
prompting a request to see identification.
#Post#: 42218--------------------------------------------------
Re: How "friendly" do we want service people to be?
By: Luci Date: November 18, 2019, 11:47 am
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[quote author=Hmmm link=topic=1408.msg42211#msg42211
date=1574097200]
[quote author=Despedina link=topic=1408.msg42210#msg42210
date=1574096046]
I worked at a grocery store where we were told to use the
customer's name if we could see it on a credit card or check. I
hated doing it. I didn't know these people and many had uncommon
german and french last names that were not easy to pronounce.
In those cases we were told to ask how to pronounce their name
then say "Have a nice day Mr. Whatsyername". I had 2 customers
that told me it was unnecessary and strange for me to address
them by name as we didn't know each other. One lady seemed very
offended. I never used personal names after that.
[/quote]
This makes me a little sad. Other customers either didn't mind
it or liked being addressed by name. But because 2 complained,
all the others lost this little bit of humanity.
[/quote]
I hated that. My last name is a five letter occupation. I find
it too personal and offensive and a little dim of the cashiers
to mispronounce it. Best just leave it alone. I also never
reacted at all.
I prefer people to be pleasant and helpful. Sometimes I am
preparing for something and I don’t mind it being discussed,
like a comment that the fabric I am buying is easy to work with
or asking if I like a product I’m buying. General subjects that
are just habit, like the weather and how-are-you drive me nuts.
I did find out I do like "have a nice day" because I know the
transaction is concluded.
#Post#: 42219--------------------------------------------------
Re: How "friendly" do we want service people to be?
By: Hmmm Date: November 18, 2019, 11:51 am
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[quote author=Hanna link=topic=1408.msg42214#msg42214
date=1574097830]
[quote author=Hmmm link=topic=1408.msg42211#msg42211
date=1574097200]
[quote author=Despedina link=topic=1408.msg42210#msg42210
date=1574096046]
I worked at a grocery store where we were told to use the
customer's name if we could see it on a credit card or check. I
hated doing it. I didn't know these people and many had uncommon
german and french last names that were not easy to pronounce.
In those cases we were told to ask how to pronounce their name
then say "Have a nice day Mr. Whatsyername". I had 2 customers
that told me it was unnecessary and strange for me to address
them by name as we didn't know each other. One lady seemed very
offended. I never used personal names after that.
[/quote]
This makes me a little sad. Other customers either didn't mind
it or liked being addressed by name. But because 2 complained,
all the others lost this little bit of humanity.
[/quote]
I strongly dislike it when someone reads my name from my debit
card or check and uses it to pretend we are on familiar terms
when I'm a complete stranger they will likely never see again.
I think it's anything but polite since it's completely contrived
and forced.
My first name is not what people call me and my last name is
hard to pronounce, so it's never going to make me feel good to
have someone call me by either one when we were never
introduced.
It's very different if I am involved in a transaction where they
ask my name and then subsequently use it. This happened at Lowes
yesterday and the guy even added an extra vowel to my name and
called me by my first legal name, but I didn't mind a bit,
because he was sincere and really helpful.
I do not like the overly familiar form of customer service
unless it's natural and honest. If it's company dictated and
forced, it's just annoying.
[/quote]
I don't see using my last name as being familiar at all. Most
cashiers can either see my name when I put in a frequent shopper
number or scan my credit card. To me is is no different than
calling a service center and the rep using my last name through
the rest of the transaction.
Does it bother you if you call into your credit card company to
ask a question and the person on the phone (who you can't even
see and will most likely never encounter again) uses your last
name through out the rest of the interaction?
I think I'm just old. I remember going shopping as a child and
clerks asking for my mother's name if they didn't recognize her.
#Post#: 42223--------------------------------------------------
Re: How "friendly" do we want service people to be?
By: Kimberami Date: November 18, 2019, 12:17 pm
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At my small town, there's a very good chance that I know the
person assisting me. I'm rarely called by my last name. It's
common here to be called Miss "First name" or "Commonly known
nickname."
I've been through several customer service trainings, and I've
never been instructed to ask personal questions. Even when I ask
"How are you doing?" it's just a longer form of hello. I'm not
really expecting an response other than "Fine" or "Okay" from
the other person.
#Post#: 42234--------------------------------------------------
Re: How "friendly" do we want service people to be?
By: QueenFaninCA Date: November 18, 2019, 1:30 pm
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I don't mind the friendliness. But I hate the super-cheerful
over-the-top-friendliness when it is coupled with incompetence:
Trying on pants. The style clearly doesn't work for me, looks
horrible on me but I am told how great it looks. No. Not the way
to make a sale.
#Post#: 42236--------------------------------------------------
Re: How "friendly" do we want service people to be?
By: Copper Horsewoman Date: November 18, 2019, 1:39 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Despedina link=topic=1408.msg42210#msg42210
date=1574096046]
I worked at a grocery store where we were told to use the
customer's name if we could see it on a credit card or check. I
hated doing it. I didn't know these people and many had uncommon
german and french last names that were not easy to pronounce.
In those cases we were told to ask how to pronounce their name
then say "Have a nice day Mr. Whatsyername". I had 2 customers
that told me it was unnecessary and strange for me to address
them by name as we didn't know each other. One lady seemed very
offended. I never used personal names after that.
[/quote]
Sam's Club had the unfortunate requirement of its cashiers that
they use the customer's FIRST name in thanking them after the
transaction. This was doubly annoying to me, as I am at an age
where being addressed by a stranger who would be the age of a
grandchild is overly familiar, and I never use my first legal
name, my name to friends and family is a nickname (think "Dotty"
to "Dorothy"). I complained, both at the service desk and in
email to corporate. To no avail, so I had a brainwave. I went to
the service desk, and said "I have had a name change, and need a
new membership card." OK, no problem, no charge. "So, Dorothy
Lastname, what is your new name?" "Mrs. Lastname." New card
issued on the spot. Next time I checked out, the cashier stared
for a moment, said "Thank you, Mrs. Lastname" and I smiled,
thanked her back, all was well. They have changed the procedure,
I heard, not a member anymore.
#Post#: 42237--------------------------------------------------
Re: How "friendly" do we want service people to be?
By: JeanFromBNA Date: November 18, 2019, 1:40 pm
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"How are you?" and "Have a great day!" are just long forms of
hello and goodbye in most instances in the U.S. Having bank
personnel asking about your weekend as a way of greeting is just
strange. I've never had it happen. Perhaps the person was
misidentified?
#Post#: 42241--------------------------------------------------
Re: How "friendly" do we want service people to be?
By: Sycorax Date: November 18, 2019, 2:06 pm
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I don't want to have overly personal chats with service people!
However, if it's someone I see a lot, like the grocery store
cashier, I don't mind a little small talk. It costs nothing to
be friendly/polite to someone just doing their job.
#Post#: 42242--------------------------------------------------
Re: How "friendly" do we want service people to be?
By: SnappyLT Date: November 18, 2019, 2:10 pm
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My pharmacist and one of her regular assistants remember me (by
appearance, I suppose) and greet me by name when I step up to
their counter - even though I usually just come by once a month.
I'll admit that I appreciate being remembered by them.
#Post#: 42255--------------------------------------------------
Re: How "friendly" do we want service people to be?
By: Rose Red Date: November 18, 2019, 6:18 pm
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I've had people as my about the weekend but it's not usually out
of the blue. Usually conversation leads to it. For example:
Them: How are you?
You: Great. It finally stopped storming!
Them: Yes! It's beautiful and should be even better this
weekend.
You: Really? Great!
Them: Yup. Any outdoor plans?
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