OK, I guess I have lived my 64 years in a protective bubble then. I can only assume that you are from a different area then I was, because I am basing my opinion on my life experiences. I have no idea what yours were. I think we have established the there are jerks that have existed through-out the history of mankind, but I doubt they were as prolific as they are today.
You're older than my parents, they haven't reached retirement as yet. During my 11th grade year of high school, I participated in a business co-op program, where you can work part-time and receive 3 credits toward graduation. My first job experience was at KMart. This KMart was in a large wealthy suburb comprised of a unique mix of rich, middle and poor -- it included gated communities, private roads, nice subdivisions, condos, apartments and a few trailer parks.
My first day, the shift supervisor looked at me than turned to another employee and said, "oh no, not another "princess", I can't stand these girls. They're dumb as rocks and spoiled rotten." Why bother training them, when "real" people could use this job?" I was supposed to be a "checkout operator" but the supervisor said, "no, I want "princess" behind the customer service/return desk, she won't make it to first break." After, my first break I went in the bathroom and cried. I wanted to quit. People were vicious, I was called every single name under the sun, cussed out every single day when I had decline a return. It was nasty, I cried myself to sleep the first week, but I didn't quit. Most of my classmates quit after the first week but I was sort of a gunner and I would not accept a W on my transcript, lol. Plus, the GM took me under his wing and showed me how to deal with people.
Anyway, people would use an item for years until it broke and then demand a refund. They would bring in really old coffee makers, used blenders, car seats that kids had outgrown, broken electronics, vacuums, irons, sprinklers, old worn clothing, shoes and anything you could think of and "exchange" them or receive cash. After Christmas, the line wrapped around the corner just for returns, we took back any and everything and gave cash in return, no questions asked. We would also accept items believed to be stolen. People used to write bad checks repeatedly store to store and all over town. Then new technology came along and put an end to the abuse.
Quickly after I started, the return policy had changed and KMart started requiring receipts plus there was a new 30 day time frame for returns. There were new computerized registers that would accept an item without a receipt but required a valid drivers license or state i.d., which would then be entered into the "system". Once we entered your drivers license in the computer you could never return anything at any of the stores again. People
"hated" the new policies. The majority of those attempting to return stuff were people over 50 who were led to believe that KMart would honor any return if an item did not last forever. Who could blame them, they returned items that way their entire life. This group raised so much hell and took it out on me and the other workers. I outlasted most of the "real" employees who worked there.
KMart never had security cameras and they were installed over a holiday, by the end of the week, half of the work staff was fired for stealing, they were robbing the place blind for decades, including my supervisor, she stole over 5000 dollars over the years. They offered me her job, I declined. They caught so many shoplifters. The police were there so much, I knew them on a first name basis.
Second semester, I got to work at a TGI Fridays on the weekends. I was supposed to be a waitress, but the manager wouldn't let me and I had to be a hostess. This was awful, I couldn't wait for this to end. In short, I could not believe the amount of people who would sit and enjoy a meal and did not leave a tip. I felt so bad for the waitstaff, they were mostly young adults in college and really needed the money. Plus, grown adults would sneak out and skip paying the bill altogether.
Based on those experiences, I always make it a point to tip well. I go out of my way to express thanks and gratitude toward all customer service employees, every single one of them. I look them in the eye and I talk to them about stuff and I let each one know how much they are appreciated, they just love it. As a result, somebody is always looking out for me when I least expect it. I get the best service, the best seats to the show, the best table, the hottest fashions, the inside scoop on sales and the best deals available because I genuinely care for people and treat them with respect.
Poor manners and bad behavior does not belong to a certain generation. It does seem like more people are flipping out these days, but that includes all age groups. Back in your day, "more was less" and it was just about "good business." Today, "less is more" and good business has been replaced with "fees". Also, we are just coming out of a recession *maybe*, it's still pretty bleak for many people.
, so I will give another example. Look at Resort Board, how many ask how to make sure room request is granted, hello, it is a request, be happy if you get it but you cannot guarantee it. Or my absolutely favorite, free upgrades, no, nobody knows how it works and if they do I suggest to keep it to themselves before another secret was murdered.
