from Ben's mom
Today at the grocery store, I used one of the cool little car carts to keep Ben occupied and out of my wallet (his new favorite toy). At the checkout, I didn't realize what was happening until it was done. But the "courtesy clerk" put all our bagged groceries into a new cart, thus requiring her to help me to the car. This completely threw off my routine and I dumped the car cart (retrieving the shoe that had come off Ben's foot) and carrying it all to the car while she "helped me" out. Then I had to unlock the car, put Ben in, and go to the other side and open the car door and she and I proceeded to load the groceries. Somehow, I felt that it would have been faster and more efficient for me to do it myself.
I started reflecting at that point on much of the customer service industry in general. The WalMart greeters.... I feel charitable toward them, but I don't feel they contribute anything to me. And have you ever asked someone at WalMart (or Target, etc...) for help? Have you ever actually received any? The last time I asked where something was, the person said, "Sure, let me show you." He proceeded to walk at half the pace I normally would have to the aisle and then wanted to stay and help me shop. I impatiently wanted to say: Just tell me the aisle no. and I'll be on my way.
In Oregon, state law requires that you not pump your own gas. I hate waiting for someone to come "help" me. I would much rather speed to the pump, jump out in the pouring rain and pump myself. Just to get out of there....
And I will avoid going into the bank at all costs. Nearly everything I need done can be done at an ATM.
I realize some of my impatience is my age. As I grow older, I will probably slow down and wish life moved slower too. But how much of it, I wonder, is my generation? Are we more impatient with people? Less likely to rely on them to answer honestly. I am always impressed by people who trust the customer service person enough to ask for a recommendation. I have done this at restaurants when I can't choose between a few items. I would never dream of doing it at WalMart. So some of the issue must be trust. Trust that the person involved is capable of answering the question honestly.
I don't want to be a person who never wants to interact with others, who prefers the machine to the person, who can't make time to smile at the person in the produce department who asks if I'm finding everything alright.
But, for now, I can get my own groceries to the car. Thanks.
3 comments:
How long have you felt this way?
Dad
I wholeheartedly agree. I can do it far better myself - whatever it is, I have a personal vested interest in getting the job done right - and usually far quicker, too. It makes me feel a little guilty for feeling impatient, because the helpful people mean well - they just don't understand my system!
It's like "free delivery" pizza: I'd rather have them charge for delivery rather than build the cost into the pizza, so I can choose not to pay it if it's more convenient for me to pick it up. If we don't have the option of paying for additional services, then we're all subsidising the luxuries only a few indulge in (or appreciate).
The last time I asked a Target worker where something was she looked at me with a very blank look, said she didn't know and that was it. No offer to find out. Nothing. Nada.
Then at Wal-Mart I asked someone and they walked around the aisle and said, "Hmm... Well this is where it SHOULD be." Duh. I already knew that. But it still wasn't there.
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