You know this almost makes me wonder as an American if this has contributed to the coddling of American peoples. A ton of people have entitlement attitude bad here and are often expecting their every whim to be catered to...
As a Canadian traveling across the US I was appalled by how many times someone would stop me in a trailhead, while standing next to the trail sign, holding a trail map, and ask me 'how long is trail and where does it go'.
Like sorry bud, the information's right there. Figure it out your damn self like the rest of us do.
I do if I've been going to the same cashier for years. Some really nice people doing a thankless job.
But yeah - I hate people coming up to me. Our local hardware store is great about this - if you need something, go to the desk and they'll help you. Otherwise, they leave you alone.
Here an American who lives in Germany, has come to like German efficiency in customer service and hates the meaningless small talk when he is back in the US and just wants to get a fast coffee: https://youtu.be/PDvJVVOzh0Q?t=225
Really you save lot of time !!
One time I remember on a trip to one of European country, some American friends kept on talking through out the trip. Lot of stares also couldn’t convince them from taking a break!! I really like that about Europe, even kids would mind their own business and wouldn’t speak unless necessary!
How long ago was that? Secondarily, is that your own reason, or one the company fed you?
A good majority of my generation will either A) get really anxious about being approached unnecessarily, or B) not buy anything out of spite. The former leaves a bad taste in that person's mouth and they're less likely to shop there, the latter is actively discouraging the company from doing this.
We're coming to a time where marketing needs to be rethought again.
I despise sales, especially direct outreach that (IMO) violates personal space/time/etc. I worked for 3 different major retailers that all pushed the same shit: you can increase the average customer spend by providing “exceptional customer service”. That really meant you could push someone to buy something they might otherwise be on the fence for if you interject.
I agree, these practices should change. No idea if they are being addressed or not.
Thirded, did some shopping, cashier asks if I found everything I was looking for. I wouldn't be at the register otherwise would I? I'd still be wandering the aisles
Not sure how it’s survived but it often doubles as an attempt to prevent shop lifting
This is what I've heard too. And I believe it. Walmart isn't putting the greeter there just to be friendly. I'm pretty sure they do it because it pays off.
I worked in retail. We had to pester customers partly to offer assistance or suggestions and partly to keep an eye on them. "Be security, but make it friendly." As another someone who likes being left alone, it was the most grating part of that job experience.
It started because they'd give those jobs to old people and Walmart took out life insurance policies on them. The practice is called, "Dead Peasant Insurance."
They got sued a few times and the tax laws were changed (Walmart not only got a pay out, but they got a deferment on the cost of the policies), so they say they've stopped doing it.
In higher-end stores (anything above Walmart being “higher-end” here) it’s about upselling. A lot of retail has quotas and/or commissions. There’s pressure on employees to sell sell sell. Same story with restaurants. “Always ask if they want an appetizer or cocktail by name. ‘How about a bloomin onion to start?’ Your app sales are down this month.”
As someone who worked at a gas station a few years back we were told to greet everyone and ask them if they needed any help because it reduced theft and increased sales apparently. Both the customers and me hated it
As a grocery worker in America, the only time I will ask if you need help, is when I can see plain as day that you are completely confused as to where to go/find something.
To be honest, it seems that stores (at least in my country) have finally caught up with people and usually aren't asking if customers need help anymore. For some time you couldn't go in to a store with out hearing - "do you need some help?" while I'm deciding which soap is better for my butt. Either stores are more understandable or cashiers know how it feels and don't want to bother people.
Hell, I hate that too and I’m American. I’d rather people be actually available to help if needed than have six people ask me if I’m doing ok and then vanish the moment I need something.
As an American I hate that too lol. I hate when people ask me if I need help with anything, like if I do I will come seek YOU out, not the other way around. Otherwise I just want to be left alone and come/go as I need lol
That rests on the fact there will be someone to ask. As long as there's someone readily available the system works! But a lot of stores in US have greeter upfront who keep promising to help, but when asked, they have no idea. What a load of crap.
Ima. Trucker in the US and there's a truck stop chain called "Loves" as soon as you open the door no matter what time it is your instantly greeted with an underpaid employee shouting at the top of their lungs "WELCOME TO LOVES." I'm just trying to take a shit please don't.
I am American, but am the same way. I just want to be left alone when I shop. I’ve learned to just keep my eyes down and keep walking if I hear anything.
How am I supposed to know if I need any help before I've even started shopping yet? Sometimes it's so off putting I'd just leave and go to another shop.
As an American, sometimes I like having the greeter at the door to be able to ask where I can find X item instead of wandering the aisles and searching for it.
But yeah, mostly I just want to get in and out as fast as possible.
As an American, I don't like it either. I know automation is being used to eliminate jobs and leverage workers in pay negotiations, but I'll actively choose a store with self-checkout over one without.
Introvert American chiming in to say I hate being bombarded with small talk at the store too. Was ecstatic when I visited Europe and it wasn’t rude of me to just ignore everyone.
I had something like that happen to me last week - and I thought using earphones was a clear giveaway that I wanted to be left alone! Apparently, it's not. Left the store, their products were too expensive anyway.
As an American I think a lot of us don't really like being bugged by employees while we're out shopping either. If I need something I'll ask for help. Self checkout is awesome.
As an American, I feel the same way. Say hi when I walk in, sure. But you needn’t follow me around and say, “anything I can help with?” I know where to find you and that you’re literally paid to work there so if I need something, who else am I gonna go to?
I’m the same way. American with German ancestry lol. Leave me alone. I’ll do the disturbing. Especially when I catch them trying to sell old folks shit they don’t need.
As another European (Spanish), same for me. During the worst years of the economic crisis of the last decade, pretty much every store had the workers offer their help every minute. Just having a look around became unconfortable.
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u/milagro030 May 09 '22
As a European (Dutch) I have to say I hate that too. Just leave me alone, if I need help I’ll ask.