Rude public behavior

[xyzabc33]

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[mking624]

You correctly noted the numerous opposing viewpoints to my list of pet peeves. It's funny how my list struck so many nerves in the people who I would consider "guilty" of the offenses I presented. The debate here should not be about how I run my own business. If there is to be a debate it shold be about what is considered "rude public behavior" as the title of this thread indicates.

To answer your question about why I would go into a business that requires such attention to customer service. I bought a store because after 15 years of providing exceptional customer service and making money for someone else, I decided that it was time to work on my own and to raise the bar on the service experience. I love retail and customer service. The truth is that the VAST majority of my customers are not rude and do not try to bend the rules all the time.

To me it is all about respect. I feel that everyone should respect the policies that are set in an establishment. The problem is that companies like Disney and Starbucks (both of whom I have been a store manager for) bend too much for customers and have created an environment where you trully expect too much. As a single-store, small business owner, I would go out of business if I gave the store away. Those others won't. I want my customers to come back because they like the product and the service that I provide. Not because they know I am a pushover and will give them anything they want.

Fortunately for me, the rude people who I have spoken about are very few. And while there may be many of you who disagree with me here on this board, the truth is that you are all Disney guests, many of whom have a sense of entitlement just because you give someone your business. While I would never tell you that from my side of the counter, I have seen many customers (see VAST majority above) who respect and appreciate the service that I provide, and WILL tell you what I may be thinking.

Just keeping it real.

You know I did sympathize with you, but I now I really think you're blowing this way out of proportion.

I'm a vegetarian. There are places I've been to where the ONLY menu items that didn't include meat were the kids menu items. So even though the menu said something like "12 and under" I politely explain my situation to the waiter/waitress and they are more than happy to accomodate me and get me the kids menu item. I prefer not to starve, thankyouverymuch.

Another thing might be how hungry I really am. After my surgery or after someone I was really close to died, I literally had no appetite, but I couldn't just not eat. So the only thing small enough for me were kids menu items. I've never been encountered with some attitude as a result, and I'm sure as heck glad I didn't have to explain myself to whomever was serving me (because quite frankly, it's not the person's business that I had surgery to get rid of my endometriosis so I could have a baby...and it's not the person's business that my grandfather ended his 13 year battle with cancer).

Now all of a sudden it's Disney and Starbucks fault? And do you know for sure that it is absolutely against their policy for an adult to order a child menu item? Or do you just assume that's their policy because of a little sign that says something? Just an FYI, just because something states "12 and under" or whathaveyou, that doesn't necessarily mean that is the rule...many times they just have it so that it quickly catches the attention of a parent or child who is looking for kid-friendly drinks/food items.

Since you own your business, you can make those rules for your store. However, bear in mind that it is for your store and not the entire world.

 

[Amlee]

Second sentence.....guilty as charged...I forget I am not in chat sometimes..am I forgiven.

Not all txt talk is bad. I was posting back and forth on a different message board. This girl I was posting to made a comment that was something like

"wht is so bad about that??????????????????????????" Now if she can do a dozen question marks, surely she could take the time to hit the A button in what! No it wasn't a spelling mistake either. As she had used the wht? comment several times. Drives me nuts!

 

[angel_bright05]

This isn't so much rude public behaviour...but more of my big pet peeves that could be changed into rude behaviour.

When I was in university I used to get to the library at 8:30 in the morning so I would have a spot to sit during exam time. There would usually only be me...or another 1 or 2 people on the floor with all the desks between 8:30 and 9:30. We were all spaced out quite nicely. Pet Peeve #1- If there is an entire floor with open desks everywhere why on earth do you have to sit at the desk DIRECTLY behind me! I don't want to have to hear you crumple papers and move around if I don't have to.

This is what I consider rude. When people are texting and walking at the same time but they can't do it at the same time. They are texting but are slowing down their walking. They are slowing down the whole pace of the mall, hallway, etc. If you need to text and can't continue to walk at a decent pace then move over. Please and thank you!

 

[xyzabc33]

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[babytrees]

You know I did sympathize with you, but I now I really think you're blowing this way out of proportion.

I'm a vegetarian. There are places I've been to where the ONLY menu items that didn't include meat were the kids menu items. So even though the menu said something like "12 and under" I politely explain my situation to the waiter/waitress and they are more than happy to accomodate me and get me the kids menu item. I prefer not to starve, thankyouverymuch.

Another thing might be how hungry I really am. After my surgery or after someone I was really close to died, I literally had no appetite, but I couldn't just not eat. So the only thing small enough for me were kids menu items. I've never been encountered with some attitude as a result, and I'm sure as heck glad I didn't have to explain myself to whomever was serving me (because quite frankly, it's not the person's business that I had surgery to get rid of my endometriosis so I could have a baby...and it's not the person's business that my grandfather ended his 13 year battle with cancer).

Now all of a sudden it's Disney and Starbucks fault? And do you know for sure that it is absolutely against their policy for an adult to order a child menu item? Or do you just assume that's their policy because of a little sign that says something? Just an FYI, just because something states "12 and under" or whathaveyou, that doesn't necessarily mean that is the rule...many times they just have it so that it quickly catches the attention of a parent or child who is looking for kid-friendly drinks/food items.

Since you own your business, you can make those rules for your store. However, bear in mind that it is for your store and not the entire world.

thank you for saying what I was thinking!!

 

[fan_of_small_world]

If there is to be a debate it shold be about what is considered "rude public behavior" as the title of this thread indicates.

I believe this is exactly what we are debating here. You brought your business into the discussion.

I want my customers to come back because they like the product and the service that I provide. Not because they know I am a pushover and will give them anything they want.

As you said, your business will succeed because your customers like what you sell and like your service. I would add, though, that if the ability to order off the child's menu has become commonplace (and I believe it has), then people are going to assume you allow it as well. If you don't, it needs to be clearly stated. If they push it, then I would agree that they are being rude. And if adults don't like not having a smaller portion as an option, you will probably end up losing their business. That may or may not affect your bottom line.

I feel that everyone should respect the policies that are set in an establishment.

I agree, as long as they are clearly stated. Then it's my choice whether to patronize an establishment that may have a policy that I don't care for.

The problem is that companies like Disney and Starbucks (both of whom I have been a store manager for) bend too much for customers and have created an environment where you trully expect too much. As a single-store, small business owner, I would go out of business if I gave the store away. Those others won't.

I decided that it was time to work on my own and raise the bar on the service experience

Let me get this straight...you worked for Disney and Starbucks, and decided you could offer better customer service (your words - "raise the bar"). But, on the other hand, you say that they offer too much customer service. So which is it?

...the truth is that you are all Disney guests, many of whom have a sense of entitlement just because you give someone your business.

No, a company gets my business when they offer a good product and good service. There is no "sense of entitlement" involved. It sounds like Disney, Starbucks, and other successful large companies have set the bar at a level you are not comfortable with. If a small business can't measure up, that's the business owner's, not their's. And for the record, I AM a small business owner.

 

[maxiesmom]

This is my pet peeve. You are in the ladies restroom and going to use the toilet. You open the stall door and the toilet seat is covered in URINE! Why? Because so many women think they have to straddle the toilet seat instead of just sitting on it. So the next women(me) has to clean up your urine so I can pee. How nice. And how gross. Why do so many women now do this?? It is not sanitary or germ saving. There is no study anywhere that says you should straddle a toilet and pee all over the seat and floor. I have even been next to a women who was doing this and her pee was splashing all over MY shoes!!! My yelling could probably be heard down the block as I told her off. This ridiculous habit needs to end. And I have been known to write on bathroom stall doors "PLEASE SIT DOWN TO PEE OR CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF". Ugh.

Oh my gosh, so many women do this and it is sooo stupid. Most places have the seat covers, why not use them? That women probably peed on her own shoes, and then used her foot to flush!

 

[maxiesmom]

I need to add that I can't stand rude mall walkers! I work in a mall, and sometimes you are taking your life into your hands to go out and get a coffee. They do not say excuse me. They will mow you down in order to keep their lap times up. And do not get between them and the free pretzel samples! Locusts have nothin on them!

 

[Amlee]

I need to add that I can't stand rude mall walkers! I work in a mall, and sometimes you are taking your life into your hands to go out and get a coffee. They do not say excuse me. They will mow you down in order to keep their lap times up. And do not get between them and the free pretzel samples! Locusts have nothin on them!

I have to say, I find this one of the funniest things to watch in the mall. As those mall walkers mean some serious business! The next best thing to watch is people trying to put their strollers on the esclater(sp).

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

I encountered the rudest woman today. I was in our rather small stride rite, I was already in a corner with DD in the stroller pulled over as much as I could. This woman came from the back of the store - seeing the two exits the one that I'm near and the one that's totally open, decides to take the harder one. She shoves her stroller into mine and tells me to move. Uhhhh I was here looking at a shoe, I have no where to go and my stroller isn't in the way. She pushed her stroller into mine until mine was on my foot then she adds a "see I knew you had enough room to move" I responded with "because there aren't two doors, you had to take out my foot with your oversized stroller." She mumbled something that sounded like witch and left....

 

[agnes!]

I encountered the rudest woman today. I was in our rather small stride rite, I was already in a corner with DD in the stroller pulled over as much as I could. This woman came from the back of the store - seeing the two exits the one that I'm near and the one that's totally open, decides to take the harder one. She shoves her stroller into mine and tells me to move. Uhhhh I was here looking at a shoe, I have no where to go and my stroller isn't in the way. She pushed her stroller into mine until mine was on my foot then she adds a "see I knew you had enough room to move" I responded with "because there aren't two doors, you had to take out my foot with your oversized stroller." She mumbled something that sounded like witch and left....

Did you tell her you were gonna call your WPASADI "posse"?

agnes!

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

Did you tell her you were gonna call your WPASADI "posse"?

agnes!

LOL - no, but my friend with me just had oral surgery and was ready to go after her!

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

I need to add that I can't stand rude mall walkers! I work in a mall, and sometimes you are taking your life into your hands to go out and get a coffee. They do not say excuse me. They will mow you down in order to keep their lap times up. And do not get between them and the free pretzel samples! Locusts have nothin on them!

i agree with this! a few years ago on black friday DH2B and i were waiting outside of a KB toy store that was in the mall for it to open. we waited hours and at 6am the mall opened and the mall walkers started walking. most of them just stayed on the other side of the line but there was one couple that just PLOWED right into the girl infront of me. knocked her down and everything, DIDN'T even say sorry or anything, just kept on walking. we were so shocked we didn't know what to do, neither did the girl who got knocked down.

 

[xyzabc33]

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[TPCShauna]

Another annoying one for me.

Drivers, does it KILL you to use your turn signal?

Just in case you don't remember what it is due to an extended period of disuse, please allow me to remind you. It is the stick like item conveniently located on the left hand side of your steering wheel on the steering column. It might have your head light controls or your windshield wiper controls on it. It flicks up or down in conjunction with the direction you would like to turn or merge lanes. Most states have a law that requires drivers to signal when changing lanes or directions. If in doubt about how to use this convenient and useful tool, please reference your vehicle's owners' manual.

Should you choose to continue to disregard the use of this item, please don't be surprised if you are tail-gated, honked at or flashed dirty looks by those of us who are law-abiding citizens and SAFE drivers.

SO ANNOYING!!!!

 

[It's A Happy Day]

A lot of people have commented on the no turn signal issue, I am by the not shutting the darn thing off after you turn. After 3 miles behind someone with it blinking I am about ready to go

 

[TPCShauna]

A lot of people have commented on the no turn signal issue, I am by the not shutting the darn thing off after you turn. After 3 miles behind someone with it blinking I am about ready to go

Oh yes. And I'm always the shmuck that is slowing down to give them the room to merge into my lane when they don't really want to go anywhere. I always feel stupid when I do it, too.

 

[katerkat]

I have to say, I find this one of the funniest things to watch in the mall. As those mall walkers mean some serious business! The next best thing to watch is people trying to put their strollers on the esclater(sp).

I hate when my Mom's group does mall walking! Like there's enough room for ten strollers anywhere.

But I take offense at the escalator thing. I am GOOD at the stroller on the escalator trick.

 

[Amlee]

I hate when my Mom's group does mall walking! Like there's enough room for ten strollers anywhere.

But I take offense at the escalator thing. I am GOOD at the stroller on the escalator trick.

Oh some people are good at it, they have it down pat. But there are a few that just can't get it. I saw one lady putting the stroller on there, it took off and she fell flat. Yes, it could have been bad. But I have this huge thing, when people fall. I just lose it! I can't help it. I'm not sure what she thought would happen when she put that stroller on the escalator, but she was not prepared to stepped on with it. The dad was leaning over her holding the stroller and you could see her feet sticking out past him. Someone pushed the emergency stop button. The look on her face was pricesless!!

Ok, I've got another pet peeve! It's the reason I hate going to Wal-Mart. If you run into someone you know please, please take your buggy and move to the side. Don't block up the whole isle having a freaking family reunion while the rest of us are trying to get around you. Don't get offened if I move your buggy out of my way!