Eating in front of customers!

Kev, don't apologize for stating your feelings.  I as well was astounded by some of the replies as my standard that were taught to me are not dissimilar to yours and many others here. I did not take the original comment out if context as to it been on this forum.

 
When I was a mason contractor, i often went to the local lumber yard for form lumber.  since it was only an occasional trip, I often had to chase after help with loading if it was a big order.  mostly, i would just give up looking for help and handle the loading alone.  It was easier than chasing down a yard man who was obviously hiding, or trying to hide from me.  I just took it in stride and did what i had to do.

One weekend, I was doing a project on my own house and our then twenty something and strikingly good looking daughter was visiting.  It was nearly quitting time on a Saturday and I was sure all the guys would be looking to get out of there.  I sent my daughter (I had taught her to drive truck before she drove a car) to get a load of materials with the warning that the yard men were somewhat lazy and she would probably have to chase someone down for help. 

When she got back with the full load I had sent her for, and somewhat quicker than I had expected, she was laughing.  She said , "Dad, you just aren't built right to get help in that yard."
She went on to tell me that as she got out into the yard where the lumber I need was stacked, even before she was all the way out of the truck about every guy there was crowding around to give her any help she needed.  That was probably the quickest I had ever had a truck loaded in all the years I was in business.  [big grin]
Tinker
 
Tinker said:
When I was a mason contractor, i often went to the local lumber yard for form lumber.  since it was only an occasional trip, I often had to chase after help with loading if it was a big order.  mostly, i would just give up looking for help and handle the loading alone.  It was easier than chasing down a yard man who was obviously hiding, or trying to hide from me.  I just took it in stride and did what i had to do.

One weekend, I was doing a project on my own house and our then twenty something and strikingly good looking daughter was visiting.  It was nearly quitting time on a Saturday and I was sure all the guys would be looking to get out of there.  I sent my daughter (I had taught her to drive truck before she drove a car) to get a load of materials with the warning that the yard men were somewhat lazy and she would probably have to chase someone down for help. 

When she got back with the full load I had sent her for, and somewhat quicker than I had expected, she was laughing.  She said , "Dad, you just aren't built right to get help in that yard."
She went on to tell me that as she got out into the yard where the lumber I need was stacked, even before she was all the way out of the truck about every guy there was crowding around to give her any help she needed.  That was probably the quickest I had ever had a truck loaded in all the years I was in business.  [big grin]
Tinker
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Naturally, I have never seen this happen where I work Tinker!  [smile] [big grin] [eek]
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And see reply number #1 at http://festoolownersgroup.com/general-friendly-chat/funny-things-customers-say/msg333871/#msg333871
 
Kev said:
If someone was noshing a sandwich when I walked into a store and they put it down to server me .. fine. Ignore me and continue eating and I'm gone and never coming back.

Sure it could be a lousy boss that doesn't give a shop assistant proper break time - but regardless, not getting my business.

On the coffee ... don't drink it in front of me and not at least offer me one. That's just rudeness on so many levels. I'd probably say no thanks 99% of the time, but it's all about common courtesy. By all means leave it behind the counter and come and serve me ... but don't jerk it in front of me!!
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Im with you buddy. Im a customer, Im there to spend $$$$. I their lunch is more important then my $$$, Ill take my $$$ else where.

I dont have a problem eating while Im there, but one of them should of told me Ill be right with you, stop munchin down the big mac, help me while the other one finishes and repeat..

That is unless they offer me a big mac to and Ill munch right along with them..

No social graces
 
That is unless they offer me a big mac to and Ill munch right along with them..

No social graces
[/quote]

That's his Big Mac... Not your Big Mac. He doesn't owe you his food and you aren't entitled to his food.

It pays to be a little more easy going and not so uptight. I deal with these types of situations all the time where someone isn't being polite you have to learn to diffuse it.  Ex. When walking out of wawa and holding a door for a woman who in turn lets that door slam in your face at the next set. I'll say Thank You a little loudly so she hears me. 99% of the time the person who didn't hold the door turns around laughs awkwardly and apologizes and there's no harm no foul. What would you entitled guys do in that situation, freak out and punch her in the face for slighting you lol? You aren't the king of the world you aren't owed ANYTHING in this life, be a grown man.
 
rizzoa13 said:
That is unless they offer me a big mac to and Ill munch right along with them..

No social graces
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That's his Big Mac... Not your Big Mac. He doesn't owe you his food and you aren't entitled to his food.

It pays to be a little more easy going and not so uptight. I deal with these types of situations all the time where someone isn't being polite you have to learn to diffuse it.  Ex. When walking out of wawa and holding a door for a woman who in turn lets that door slam in your face at the next set. I'll say Thank You a little loudly so she hears me. 99% of the time the person who didn't hold the door turns around laughs awkwardly and apologizes and there's no harm no foul. What would you entitled guys do in that situation, freak out and punch her in the face for slighting you lol? You aren't the king of the world you aren't owed ANYTHING in this life, be a grown man.
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rizzoa13:

I've already stated what I would do, which is ABSOLUTELY confrontational. You can judge me as you wish.

But I wonder if you realize that the behavior you described above has a name/classification as well? It's called passive-aggressive, and is ALSO confrontational, NOT defusing. In the example you gave, it worked for you. And I've used it myself on more than one occasion. BUT - make no mistake about it - this kind of behavior *IS* confrontational...and can lead to escalation of hostilities (as could my behavior, of course).

To be clear, I'm not taking you to task, or condemning you, or anything of the sort. I'm merely pointing out to those following this thread that ANY behavior - yours or mine - has implications. What might work in one situation might create a disaster in others. 

If you REALLY want to be 'easy going', the thing to do is merely shrug it off and walk away. No comments, no actions, no drama. It's the adult way to deal with it.

Unfortunately, I'm usually not THAT adult...

[embarassed]
 
rizzoa13 said:
That is unless they offer me a big mac to and Ill munch right along with them..

No social graces
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That's his Big Mac... Not your Big Mac. He doesn't owe you his food and you aren't entitled to his food.

It pays to be a little more easy going and not so uptight. I deal with these types of situations all the time where someone isn't being polite you have to learn to diffuse it.  Ex. When walking out of wawa and holding a door for a woman who in turn lets that door slam in your face at the next set. I'll say Thank You a little loudly so she hears me. 99% of the time the person who didn't hold the door turns around laughs awkwardly and apologizes and there's no harm no foul. What would you entitled guys do in that situation, freak out and punch her in the face for slighting you lol? You aren't the king of the world you aren't owed ANYTHING in this life, be a grown man.
[/quote]

Are you for real?

If someone chooses to shop elsewhere due to a lack of manners and behaviour acceptable to their standard in a particular establish I can see an issue - it's THEIR CHOICE.

To try and distort this into "punching a woman" shows a seriously unhealthy perspective.

The "entitled" comment is just rudeness.

I'd hazard a guess that if you operated a retail outlet I would choose to avoid it.

Hope you have better luck in the future with women in doorways - seems to be a real issue for you [wink]
 
I go above and beyond to provide great service in my business, like I'm sure most successful professionals in any field do. But I don't expect the red carpet rolled out for me either, it's my decision to give good service.

Sure go shop elsewhere if the service is crap that's what id do too. I wouldn't on the other hand get in someone's face and call their manager or make a post on an Internet forum complaining about people in retail not offering me pie.

Do you think I owe you an apology now for calling you entitled? You seem to think a lot is owed to you....
 
rizzoa13 said:
I go above and beyond to provide great service in my business, like I'm sure most successful professionals in any field do. But I don't expect the red carpet rolled out for me either, it's my decision to give good service.

Sure go shop elsewhere if the service is crap that's what id do too. I wouldn't on the other hand get in someone's face and call their manager or make a post on an Internet forum complaining about people in retail not offering me pie.

Do you think I owe you an apology now for calling you entitled? You seem to think a lot is owed to you....
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I expect nothing from you.

You seem to have a pie fixation - is twisting context your thing? ... and calling a manager? Is there more punching involved in your version of this? ... it's you twist after all. Why on earth are you attempting to turn this into conflict escalation?

Not everyone shares your standards and that can be a really good thing. Looking forward to your next amusing perspective [smile]

Entitled? We're all entitled to respect - particularly on this forum ... but that doesn't make it happen.

 
Cochese said:
I can't imagine a day so full of rainbows, glitter and unicorn gas that I could find nothing more  to complain about than someone drinking coffee or anything else. Not being offered any isn't a big deal, I didn't want any to begin with. Those companies that offer free coffee or water? Never been tempted. If I wanted some, I would have brought some.
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What a long response and what a good response! You summed up how I feel and did so a while lot more politely.
 
seeing how this thread is still going strong, i will posit another solution, perhaps too obvious to even consider in the first place.
you first register your tools with festool.  you get a free cap.  you wear said cap everywhere you go.  as you walk into an establishment, the store clerks will spot the logo on the cap and their indifference will instantly turn into admiration and respect as they all will strive to give the utmost of help to such an obviously superior and discerning human being.  in the midst of all this attention it occurs to you that "heavy is the head that wears the crown" so in order to help under-appreciated clerks everywhere that toil thanklessly without a proper break room, you decide to perform the ultimate act of "noblesse oblige".  you casually drop into the conversation that you're a member of the highly influential forum that goes by the acronym 'FOG'.  upon hearing this, one of the clerks rushes to the red phone.  a manager scurries forward with generous discount coupons and asks if there is anything else that he can do for you.  the fear in his eyes tells you that he realizes that a bad review from you on the aforementioned forum and the store's business could dry up overnight. you mention causally that it sure would be nice if the break room situation was resolved.  he rushes to the red phone and as you're leaving the store with three clerks in tow carrying your purchases to your car, you overhear him setting up an impromptu board meeting with the ceo of the corporation.

hey, it could happen...
 
Ah, causality, and the chain of events.  [cool]

They say a butterfly clapping its wings can cause a hurricane on the other side of the world. I never put much faith into that theory.

This time a store clerk eating pie causes a ripple between two guys 10,000 miles apart, who weren't even there in the first place.

Perhaps there is something to it after all.  [tongue]
 
Ever watch the show Fringe? Maybe there's an alternate universe based off of this one pivotal event!
 
Kev said:
I too am surprised at some of the responses.

People have different standards and expectations .. I suppose from a relative stand point my standards and expectations must be higher than some.

My parents worked in retail from before I was born, small business ... so no lunch time cover, etc. They would NEVER eat in front of a customer ... at best they may have a coffee or a snack tucked out of sight and they'd immediately put it aside if a prospective customer as much as glanced in the window.

I don't care if it's a Rolex watch or cow manure, if somebody wants my business they need to show me a reasonable level of respect and thoughtfulness.

Sorry if my views offend those that feel comfortable eating in front of a customer.

I worked with someone years ago that ritually brought disgusting smelling Asian pork rolls to his desk in a small enclosed office space. He was offended when I told him politely that the smell actually made me feel ill and couldn't work in the same space. His response involved swearing ...

Some cultures think nothing of eating in front of people or even spitting, etc - you get a mix of it all in Sydney. I'd be curious to know what people think of those that smoke cigarettes when preparing food commercially?
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Regarding smoking cigarettes, I walked into the dry cleaners that I had been using for years to see the Asian woman owner smoking a cigarette in the store!  I politely asked her if she was concerned about cigarette smoke smell getting all over the freshly cleaned clothes.  She said, no and then asked me, "Don't you like the smell of a wood fire?"  I responded, not on my freshly cleaned work clothes.  It was a cordial exchange, but I have not been back to that dry cleaner.
 
rizzoa13 said:
That is unless they offer me a big mac to and Ill munch right along with them..

No social graces
Click to expand...

That's his Big Mac... Not your Big Mac. He doesn't owe you his food and you aren't entitled to his food.

It pays to be a little more easy going and not so uptight. I deal with these types of situations all the time where someone isn't being polite you have to learn to diffuse it.  Ex. When walking out of wawa and holding a door for a woman who in turn lets that door slam in your face at the next set. I'll say Thank You a little loudly so she hears me. 99% of the time the person who didn't hold the door turns around laughs awkwardly and apologizes and there's no harm no foul. What would you entitled guys do in that situation, freak out and punch her in the face for slighting you lol? You aren't the king of the world you aren't owed ANYTHING in this life, be a grown man.
[/quote]

It was a JOKE, I hate McDonalds, lighten up dood, the world aient out to get you.  This isnt a debate forum....You dont have any points to prove.
 
Good morning, all. Just a reminder to keep the conversation friendly, please. Otherwise, we will have to lock the thread. Thank you.
 
teocaf said:
seeing how this thread is still going strong, i will posit another solution, perhaps too obvious to even consider in the first place.
you first register your tools with festool.  you get a free cap.  you wear said cap everywhere you go.  as you walk into an establishment, the store clerks will spot the logo on the cap and their indifference will instantly turn into admiration and respect as they all will strive to give the utmost of help to such an obviously superior and discerning human being.  in the midst of all this attention it occurs to you that "heavy is the head that wears the crown" so in order to help under-appreciated clerks everywhere that toil thanklessly without a proper break room, you decide to perform the ultimate act of "noblesse oblige".  you casually drop into the conversation that you're a member of the highly influential forum that goes by the acronym 'FOG'.  upon hearing this, one of the clerks rushes to the red phone.  a manager scurries forward with generous discount coupons and asks if there is anything else that he can do for you.  the fear in his eyes tells you that he realizes that a bad review from you on the aforementioned forum and the store's business could dry up overnight. you mention causally that it sure would be nice if the break room situation was resolved.  he rushes to the red phone and as you're leaving the store with three clerks in tow carrying your purchases to your car, you overhear him setting up an impromptu board meeting with the ceo of the corporation.

hey, it could happen...
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Ah! If only it did/could have happened this way.  [big grin] 

But in reality -

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And Alex, great theory, as you know it made me laugh.

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Alex said:
Ah, causality, and the chain of events.  [cool]

They say a butterfly clapping its wings can cause a hurricane on the other side of the world. I never put much faith into that theory.

This time a store clerk eating pie causes a ripple between two guys 10,000 miles apart, who weren't even there in the first place.

Perhaps there is something to it after all.  [tongue]
Click to expand...

Every time I travel back in time to try and fix this things get worse. Last time but one Shane was the US president and he'd just declared war on Greenland over the inappropriate use of a sacred colour in their country's name [eek]
 
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