by Linda Ann Nickerson

Created on: January 24, 2008

"COURTESY CLEANUP ON AISLE SIX!"

What has happened to common courtesy?

Ask anybody who works in retailing, and you may receive similar responses. Although some customers do go out of their ways to be courteous and considerate of store employees, many do not. What is it about today's consumers that makes so many of them feel as if they can overlook the humanity of those who are employed in occupations that serve the public?

The mere fact that a shopper or store patron may consider spending some cash in a retail store does not qualify that consumer to carry a superior, haughty or impatient attitude towards those who work there.

In ages past, folks in nearly any town would visit their local general store or neighborhood shop, where a long-time family acquaintance would help them to gather their desired purchases, ring them up and package them for carting home. During the process, the store staff and customer would probably discuss local news or family highlights.

Life has become a lot more anonymous, and we seem to have forgotten ourselves.

As shoppers and consumers, we must realize that we are actually guests in others' domains, when we visit retail stores. Let us consider how guests ought to behave.

Who's in the market for some manners?

RETAIL RESPECT: STOCK ROOM STAFF

In retailing, the warehouse and stockroom usually represent the first entry level for employees. These backstage workers may be young adults or teens. Either way, these folks work long hours and plenty of effort to earn minimum wage or not much more. Many of them have school tuitions and living expenses to meet. Why should they be mistreated?

Still, thoughtless shoppers sort through merchandise on store shelves and flick through garments on apparel racks, carelessly letting items fall open and drop to the floor.

What would it cost a consumer to refold that sweater, tuck the flaps back into that product packaging and place that item on the shelf where we found it? If we choose not to purchase certain products, why not set them back where we found them?

RETAIL RESPECT: FITTING ROOM STAFF

Why has fitting room etiquette become such a long-lost practice? Perhaps shoppers feel protected by the privacy of those curtains or louvered doors.

However, most fitting room staffers work hard to keep their areas clean and clutter-free. Why should consumers pile extra work and hardship upon these folks by leaving disheveled clothes on the floor? How long does it really take to put garments back on hangers and place them in

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