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How about a tip...Lady??

Salisbury Beach rocks copyright monika mcgillicuddy Sometimes I have to wonder what our society is becoming! What is it with people today?

Recently I went to a small farm stand to buy some fresh produce. When I entered, there was a young woman sitting on a tall stool behind the counter.

She neither looked up nor acknowledged my presence in any way.

I was the only customer she had and I had never been there before. We're camping at the beach and traveling back and forth to work each day.

This place is right on my way...a place I can conveniently stop in daily to pick up fresh veggies.

I carefully selected 6 ears of fresh local corn...already imagining how they would taste after soaking in water for a few hours and then grilling them with the husks still on! Simply yummy.

Satisfied with my corn, I glanced over at the girl, she still didn't look up. I was going to ask a question about Romain lettuce...instead I took a little red basket, put my corn in it and went to check out the fresh tomatoes.

The tomatoes were plump and looked just awesome. I knew by the feel of them that they were perfect. I added one to my basket and then since she had not yet acknowledged my presence I decided to interrupt her and to ask if she had any Romain lettuce as I couldn't see any.

She looked up and said they only had what was out on the counter, pointing to where I was standing. Iceberg I stated...I was hoping for fresh Romain.

She then pointed to a refrigerator in the back corner of the store..."what's in there?" she asked me...she asked me the customer what was in her refrigerator and then she immediately looked back down!

Feeling pretty stupid thinking I missed seeing the lettuce, I walked to the refrigerator. I saw a bunch of spinach...but no Romain lettuce.

The young lady at the counter...she never inquired if I found what I wanted or offered me any assistance at all. She didn't move.

I really wanted a salad with dinner so I decided to get one of the fresh heads of iceberg lettuce instead. Not what I wanted but it would do.

When I got to the counter, she never asked about the Romain lettuce, she never even looked up as I walked up to her.

She expertly rung up my 6 ears of corn, one tomato and a head of lettuce... grand total of $5.29 cents. I handed her a 10 dollar bill and notice the large tip jar sitting by the register.

She handed me back my change...just the bills and she had to reach over the tip jar to give it to me.

The coins...she held in her other hand. She looked me square in the eye as she held open her hand with my coins in it ...her hand was just above the tip jar and stayed there! She never moved it in my direction...as if to say How about a tip lady?

I was dumb struck...what did she do to deserve a tip? I know I'm talking a small amount of money here but did she give any kind of service at all? She never even smiled at me!

I wanted to lecture her on customer service but instead reached over and slowly took my change out of her hand and said thank you very much and have a nice day... she didn't say a word.

It got me thinking about service and how we are perceived by others. Do you put a smile on your face and acknowledge people when they walk in your office? Even if you are not the "Up Agent", if you're busy doing something else and the receptionist is there? Do you? Do you take the time?

How do you make people feel?

How about the mortgage officer that stops by hoping to drum up business or the appraiser that might stop by needing assistance? Do you take a few seconds and make them feel welcome even if you don't feel like it at that moment?

That young lady at the counter lost business for her boss that day...word of mouth...10 days of repeat stops ( I love fresh veggies) and if she treated me that way and expected a tip for it I have to wonder how many other people she treated the same...how much business she lost due to her lousy service?

It doesn't take much effort to smile and be polite.

I always smile before I answer the phone...no matter what because I know people can hear my smile.

People can hear yours too...make sure you have one for them.

Jay and Monika McGillicuddy

Jay and Monika McGillicuddy

Serving Southern New Hampshire and Rockingham County

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Jay and Monika McGillicuddy, Southern NH and the Seacoast area real estate specialists.

Jay and Monika McGillicuddy, covering southern NH and the Seacoast area. If you’re thinking of selling or buying a southern NH or Seacoast area home give us a call…we’d love to help make your home ownership dreams come true.

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Posted by Monika McGillicuddy Southern NH & the Seacoast Area on 08/16/2007 10:48 AM

Comments (34)

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34 Comments on How about a tip...Lady??

AUG

2007

Well written and well said. It sure does not cost a thing to smile and be polite. Correction - it can cost us something if we don't - money!

Gary, Thank you and you are right...it really can cost you!

You never told me they had spinach. You know I like spinach.

AGHHHH!

Monika,

Unfortunately, this type of experience seems all to frequent these days. It is quite a shame that our society has come to this overall. Despite this, there are still good people out there that educate their children the right way, and the polite ones are still out there to find. One good aspect about this - it makes folks like us look even better when we deliver the proper service that people deserve.

I can not believe that this really happened. I wouldn't have given her a dime either. By the way, tip jars are becoming over used.

Jay...I'm sorry about the spinach :)

Adam...I sure hope I taught my children better than that. I feel bad for her boss...the owner of the farm stand. It was just a small little place.

Kerry...I'm with you about the tip jar! Way over used! She was so cocky staring at me like that! I can't get over it!

That wasn't a tip; that was a dare! I think you retained your barriers admirably. Treating others well is great customer service and great business.

LOL..A dare is right Irene!!!

Monika - Nice Post! I am a very polite person and have taught my children about the importance of Please and Thank You.

Last week I'd worked a very long day and decided to treat my kids to a supper out at the local diner. We pack up and drive the 6 miles over and go in and stand by the sign that says, "Please Wait, A Hostess Will Be With You Shortly".

We're all starving mind you and our moods were light as we watched the three on-duty waitresses scurrying in and out from behind the counter. About the third time they did this it dawned on me that not one of them had acknowledged us at all. After 5 minutes my irritation began to build and I'm really paying attention now to these 3 waitresses. They were standing behind the counter leaning against it, carrying on a conversation with a customer seated at the counter. All three at different times glanced over at us but not one even smiled or acknowledged that we were WAITING to be seated.

10 Minutes passes ... no smile, no acknowledgement, NOTHING! My irritation has now escalated to PO'd as our stomachs are growling!

Out from the kitchen walks this elderly lady who I could tell by her rubber apron was but a dishwasher in this restaurant. Within seconds she looks over at us, smiles big as the sun, grabs 3 menu's and heads right on over to where we were STILL waiting. She walked us back to a table and said, "I'm sorry but we don't have a hostess today but I'll send a waitress right over".

10 more minutes passed and a young girl walks in, ties on an apron and asks, "Has anyone waited on the people in ? booth" and I hear, "No, not yet". The young girl walks over immediately and waits on us VERY WELL. Before we left however we walked over to the 3 waitresses who were STILL standing there talking and let them know that I am personal friends with the man who OWNS this restaurant and I'd be more than happy to let him know how HELPFUL and FRIENDLY they had been!! Then my daughter (who is 12 mind you) speaks up and says, "You have terrible manners and you should be ashamed of yourself" and my 8 year old son says, "Yah really".

We walked out, tummy's satisfied and ready for a game of monolopy. I hugged both my kids who have great maners!

Monika - I had to chuckle as I read through your post - "I feel your pain!" For those of us who have been taught and embrace the "customer care" philosophy, this kind of non-service just drives us nuts!!!! I recently heard or read a story that traced some of this behavior to how technology has overtaken our lives. Since we spend so much of time in front of computers, cell phones, blackberrys, etc., etc., many people have forgotten (or never learned) how to interact with real live people.

I think at that point I would have taken out a small piece of paper from my purse, wrote

TIP

Treat your customers well...you may then get a "real" tip.

Have a nice Day and as Always THANK YOU!

It may make her think about it the next time a customer walks in...then again, maybe not!

Monika - great post and reminder!! Can you hear this? :-) (BIG SMILE) LOL! Thanks!

My TIP: People may forget your name, or even what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel!

I just LOVE -LOVE - LOVE Dawn's tip! I need to put that little message on some cards and carry around with me. I have a couple of establishments that I can think of that may require a visit from me...LOL

Oh our society........I have had most of my kids work in food service they make 2.00 or less an hour. I have always told them to smile and be polite that the customer is paying them not the restaurant.

They get discouraged because most people don't tip much. I wish restaurants would just include it in the price of the food and put them on salary.

But, you sure learn alot about customer service when working with the public. She needs a lesson !

This type of service has so sadly become the norm it seems. It sure makes it easier for those that treat customers really well shine. Well written. PS - How was the corn?

I might have dropped only the pennies in the jar. Just to make the point that you are not cheap, she was lousy.

Monika,

Great post as always!! What has this world come to? My mom always taught the three of us (me & my 2 sisters) to say "please" "may I" and "thank you". Just simple common courtesies that seems to be lacking in much of society today. Poor service should not be rewarded, and I hate those tip jars that I see everywhere. If someone provides me excellent service, I will tip them. The inner b**ch in me probably would have slapped the veggie girl!!! Oh, did I use my outside voice?

Monika - Where has customer service gone??? It's one of my pet peeves (especially when eating out)! Jay's twin won't let me say anything and will even tip, but he's never had to wait tables like I did.

I know that sometimes people just have a bad day, but a SMILE goes a long, long way! Just like a "thank you does."

I agree with Irene...it WAS a dare! It's a shame she's costing her boss a ton of money.

AUG

2007

Monika - Thanks for sharing, this type of service is just too common these days. I would have reacted the way you did, no tip and no return visits. Although I might have been tempted to find the owner and tell him the negative impact the employee was having on his business because if I was in his shoes I would want to know. Customer service makes are breaks a business.

AUG

2007

Jennifer,

I used to be a waitress and I made very good money doing it. The key is the smile and making people feel welcome. It's a simple thing but makes such a big difference. Had you been acknowledge by those waitresses I bet you feelings would have been very different. Excellent comment Jennifer.

Earlene..."Real People"...I love it and it is so true some people simply don't know how to interact with real people anymore!

Dawn...LOL I love your tip idea! I'll have to print some out just in case I ever need it again!

Brad...How true people will remember how you made them feel. Good or bad and as we know bad news travels fast, people tell people. Smile...it's contagious. :)

Missy...I often feel the same way...they should just pay their staff more and forget tips. That tip jar is everywhere now isn't it? Even fast food resturants drive up windows have them!

Steve...The corn was fantastic. I let it soak for a few hours and then grilled it! We didn't need any butter it was so tender and just plain yummy!

Randy,

She did not deserve even the pennies. The way she held her hand over the tip jar...not moving just looking me in the eye was just way too much.

Maybe one penny...is that an insult?

Harold...Thank you! Poor service should not be rewarded...ever! I hate those tip jars too...they are everywhere now! I agree common courtesies are really missing today!

Linda...

Tell Jay's twin to let you say something or reflect your feelings in the tip or lack of one. I think having been a waitress we're more aware of what service should be like. Like Harold said we should not reward bad service.

Jennifer F...There corn was so good I'm tempted to go back and if they have e-mail I might just link them to this post! Thanks for stopping by!

Monika-Wow, we have this happen in Daytona all the time! I know times are tough but times will only get tougher when we don't focus on customer service.

When someone asks me for a tip, I hand them a penny. I simply tell the, "sometimes some things are better left unsaid! and by the way your lack of customer service just cost you a few bucks."

Midori...How sad that thay type of behavior is so common. I can't imagine asking for a tip! I know good customer service is so important yet so lacking in some of the littlest ways.

Monika,

That is terrible, I wonder how many people would have felt obligated to leave a tip anyway? At least the corn was good, I never tried it that way...sounds really good! :)

AUG

2007

Suzanne..You must try the corn that way...soaking it so it is nice and wet. It just steams in it's own liitle husk...very very tender.

I hate feeling obligated to tip! Yuck!

Monika - a post about 'lettuce', huh? ;-)

What a sad statement about the way many things seem to be today in our society. What ever happened to work ethics, simple common courtesies? Have you ever noticed the general age of the people who seem to treat others in this fashion? My experience has been that it's young people - have they not been taught just the basics of life, how to treat others, simple pleasantries, etc.? Ofterntimes when I go to the local grocery stores, these young people are cashiering and/or bagging, and they are just the worst when it comes to just plain being pleasant. Customer service training is sorely needed these days, in my opinion. That in itself is sad - someone needs to be trained to be nice and welcoming to others.

And those tip jars - they should be banned from most places where they're showing up! On the counters at convenience stores and drive-through windows - give me a break! A tip is a REWARD FOR GOOD SERVICE - something apparently many don't seem to know or understand.

Good for you, Monika, for not giving in to the situation and just letting your change go in that jar. That awkward moment would have caused some to want out of it quickly and they would have foregone their change. That girl needs one of those 'dope-slaps'. And her boss really should know how she's impacting his/her business. If that were my business, I'd certainly want to know.

Lettuce???

Ann

Hi Ann,

It was pretty bad. I still can't believe the nerve of that girl! I agree it does seem to be the younger kids that act that way. Or is it us...are we old fashioned or something? Is this the way of the future?

LOL...all over the need for some lettuce! Certainly made me take notice and write a post about it!

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Monika McGillicuddy Southern NH & the Seacoast Area

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