1 of 11

Write now Article Tools

CUSTOMER COURTESY

Is it customary for customers to be courteous to clerks in retail stores?

People seem to reveal their true colors when they go shopping. Some folks are true blue, dyed-in-the-wool, good-hearted humans. These men and women treat others with courtesy and respect, no matter where they are or what they are doing.

Others are simply not. Although an individual may be friendly, sociable and kind to neighbors, acquaintances, coworkers and others, that same person may undergo a complete character metamorphosis after crossing the threshold into a retail store.

JEKYLL AND HYDE SHOPPERS

We have all seen such folks. Unfortunately, some of us may actually be such folks.

What is it about retailing that brings out the beast, instead of the best, in so many people? Why do shoppers feel entitled to unload their unhappiness and irritability on retail store clerks?

Perhaps people assume they are entitled to extra personal privileges, particularly from retail store clerks, simply because they enter stores with the intention of spending money. Possibly, folks feel the retail store clerks owe them allegiance and indulgence, as if their modest purchases are actually paying the clerks' wages.

In any event, it can be amazing to see the dramatic transformation some shoppers go through, as they become anonymous antagonizers in the marketplace. Of course, such folks may quickly become splendid socializers, if they should happen to encounter a familiar friend inside a store.

How might such a shopper respond, if a retail store clerk from his or her favorite store should happen to move in next door?

WHAT DOES A RETAIL STORE CLERK DO?

Generally, a retail store clerk is responsible for serving as a cashier at the checkout counter. The retail store clerk greets customers, scans and rings up purchases and collects monies.

Often, the retail store clerk may be called up to bag up customers' purchased items as well.

Retail store clerks may also be responsible for maintaining certain areas of the store, depending on the size of the establishment. For example, a retail store clerk may be assigned an aisle or department for shelf-stocking and cleanups. However, larger stores often have separate stock clerks to handle these tasks.

Returning shopping carts to the appropriate receptacles may be an additional responsibility for retail store clerks, too.

Retail store clerks are not responsible for fielding customer complaints, enduring customer rudeness or impatience and serving as sounding boards for customers' sagas of personal grievances.

Unless they work in high-end retailing, where they may earn sales commissions, retail store clerks make hourly wages. Most retail sales clerks work hard to make ends meet financially. These earnest employees should not be expected to kowtow to customers, even as they assist and serve us.

IS THE CUSTOMER ALWAYS RIGHT?

Perhaps we, as a society, have taken this familiar saying too far.

Of course, retail store employees are expected to serve customers with courtesy and respect. At the same time, the public needs to respond accordingly.

If we, as shoppers, take the time to look retail store clerks in the face and speak to them personally, we might surprise ourselves. A little friendliness can change a person's entire outlook. A frazzled retail store clerk may be eased by a simple smile or a kind comment. This courtesy costs the customer nothing, but it might transform the retail store clerk's entire demeanor.

Courtesy breeds courtesy, and respect breeds respect. How might the marketplace be transformed, if we all practiced human decency, even when we're simply browsing?

Learn more about this author, Linda Ann Nickerson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about How are retail sales clerks treated by customers??
We want to hear your view. Write now!