I live in a small community. It has a terrific general/convenience store there. Only one thing spoils the experience of going there. It’s the middle-aged, tiny lady with the worst attitude a human being can harbour serving the public. If she’s not throwing your stuff or money at you, she sneers at any cheerful ‘good morning’ that flies her way. It’s so obvious she hates what she does, it reflects in her every word & gesture. Several of my neighbours say the same thing about this rude little troll. Complaining to the owner seems like the easy way but then I think that perhaps I’m depriving someone of a job they really need. And, since it’s a small community, who knows what she could do if she finds out who got her fired? Any suggestions for disarming someone so hostile? —Tired of Nasty People
This article appears in Aug 25-31, 2016.
Just keep smiling!
I agree with Michael. Do the happy big time. If she’s gonna get pissed off, she might as well get pissed off some more.
It her baggage, not yours. Maybe that’s just her personality everywhere she goes. Who cares? Just buy your crap and go. It’s not your job to change who she is.
Try licking your eyebrows…
Ask her if she’s okay or if you did something to upset her. Ask her if she’s having a good day. Be kind. Maybe she’s just having a shit time right now and needs someone to be extra nice
if it is to the point that you are going to take your business elsewhere, then YES, please tell the owner or manager.
if it is not to that point, then lets hope that you give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she is going through a rough time in her life, like a loved one suffering from a terminal illness.
Hopefully you can take the high road, and keep smiling at her.
Sorry, she may need the job but she’s not doing it. Tell the owner or nothing will change. I complained about a server (which I seldom do) who had a horrible attitude. The owner saw it and suspended the person for a week. The other workers enjoyed a peaceful week and when the server came back the attitude changed, at least so far. By doing nothing, nothing will change.
Easy, Anonymously “award” her a trip to Mexico. Buy the ticket, book the hotel. Once she is gone cancel the return portion. Problem solved! Interestingly this is how I ended up in Halifax!
I recommend you NOT complain to the store owner about the clerk. I tend to cut people some slack in situations like this with only brief periodic interactions. You never know what someone’s private life is like. Maybe she has had a really shitty life, has lost a family member, or is simply going through menopause. I used to work with a woman who was a sourpuss. I found out later on that she had been in an abusive relationship. She was much happier when she got out of that. So, temper your expectations that everyone be sun-shiny, be courteous but brief in your interactions with the clerk, (“Hello, I would like …….. .. …Thank you”), and everyone will be happy.
Sorry Maurice, this doesn’t sound like a “bad day” or a once in a while occurrence but rather continuous behaviour. It should be reported or nothing will be done about it.
Stop holding high standards for all service pepole. If there weren’t shitty.ones there wouldn’t be good ones. Besides happiness is not just for high achievers.
A chronically poor performance should not be be rewarded by the chance to continue it. Sure, it may deprive her of a much-needed job, but her continued place there deprives someone far more deserving of that position.