Of course, this low level of service is not limited to the youth of today.
About a month ago (while travelling out West), I encountered one of the rudest service employees ever. She was an older woman (middle-aged, probably in her 50s) at a regional chain. (One of those combo places that have multiple restaurants/menus under one roof, with one counter/ordering point.)
Anyway, they were in the middle of lunch rush. You placed your order, and it would (eventually) be brought out to you. However, the young man who was running orders seemed to be having some difficulties, so an older woman took over.
Unfortunately, the cashier who took my order didn't note a request I made, so when my order was delivered, it was missing an item. The older woman was a little exasperated/frustrated and walked off to get the missing item. However, when she came back with it, she brought the wrong thing. When I made her aware of it, she copped an attitude with me, saying something to the effect of "I'm doing the best that I can" in a snotty tone.
I called her on it, and she got even more defensive, telling me that I was the one who had been rude with her. She left, returned with the missing (correct) item, slammed it on the table, and walked off in a huff.
Hmmm. Time to talk to the manager.
I walked up to the counter to ask for the manager, but guess who was the only person up there? (Yep, you're right.) Since I didn't feel like getting into another confrontation with her, I decided to let my fingers do the walking, and called the number on the receipt. Well, guess who answered the phone? (Yep, right again.) So I sweetly asked to speak to the manager, and guess what -- SHE'S the manager.
Well, I gave her a piece of my mind. However, I should have known that this was one of those no-win situations. To make matters worse, she made a rude comment to me, digging her hole even deeper.
Her choice of victim was not in her favor, since I have spent several years doing quality assurance and customer service checks for the hospitality industry.
I ended up contacting the corporate offices for both chains. I got apologies, and an invitation to return. (Much good that does me, 1000+ miles away.)
Not like I'd step foot in that particular location again.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Customer Disservice
Back in the day, I went through the Rite of Passage known as "Fast Food Worker at the Golden Arches".
We would have never gotten away with the stunts and attitudes that we encounter nowadays.
Today I was "treated" to the lowest level of maturity, service, and management that I've seen in a long time. Employees behind the counter with their backs turned -- not paying any attention to customers lining up to place orders. (A shift change seemed to be going on, and they were horsing around, talking loudly and making rude comments about customers in the drive-thru.)
Eventually, someone realized that people were waiting, but the chatter did not stop. And no management appeared to be around (or in control). One employee attempted to provide service, but it was pretty lackluster.
Later, I had the dubious pleasure of visiting their restroom facilities, and here was yet another instance of inattentiveness. I tried to bring this to their attention, and was again rewarded with people having their backs turned. In addition, some friends/off-duty employees stopped by to "visit", complete with baby in tow. (They actually stepped behind the counter with their child, and were passing it around to employees.)
Now, I understand people being happy to see one another and wanting to share in their celebrations, but there's a time and a place.
I'm not quite sure that the Golden Arches corporate office would be impressed. I sure know that I wasn't.
We would have never gotten away with the stunts and attitudes that we encounter nowadays.
Today I was "treated" to the lowest level of maturity, service, and management that I've seen in a long time. Employees behind the counter with their backs turned -- not paying any attention to customers lining up to place orders. (A shift change seemed to be going on, and they were horsing around, talking loudly and making rude comments about customers in the drive-thru.)
Eventually, someone realized that people were waiting, but the chatter did not stop. And no management appeared to be around (or in control). One employee attempted to provide service, but it was pretty lackluster.
Later, I had the dubious pleasure of visiting their restroom facilities, and here was yet another instance of inattentiveness. I tried to bring this to their attention, and was again rewarded with people having their backs turned. In addition, some friends/off-duty employees stopped by to "visit", complete with baby in tow. (They actually stepped behind the counter with their child, and were passing it around to employees.)
Now, I understand people being happy to see one another and wanting to share in their celebrations, but there's a time and a place.
I'm not quite sure that the Golden Arches corporate office would be impressed. I sure know that I wasn't.
Monday, May 17, 2010
My Pictures
BTW, so far, these are all my pictures. Some were taken with my 35mm camera, others with my cell phone. Unfortunately, the 35mm camera may have finally bit the dust :( And we won't even discuss the *evil* panoramic camera ... which is why I don't have any pictures of the Badlands. :(
Lots of driving, a few adventures (and car mishaps -- grrr), and some awesome scenery
As you can see, I've done a little bit of travelling.
About mid-April, I headed out to Denver for business. Since, that's 1000+ miles from home, I decided to travel over two days -- stopping for the night in Omaha (the halfway point). I also visited a few pioneer trail historical sites in Iowa and Nebraska.
I spent the next 10 days in the Denver metro area, doing field research. I was also able to visit with Britney Winkler on three separate occasions. Please continue to lift her up in prayer, as well as the rest of her family.
Upon leaving Denver, I headed up to the mountains to spend a few days with family near Gypsum. We didn't have any snow until the morning that I was supposed to leave. (It snowed about 18 inches overnight.) I wasn't able to leave until after noon, but easily made it to Salt Lake City by the evening.
My friend flew in the next evening, and we were able to spend a few days in the area, doing a variety of things like genealogy research at the Family History Library, seeing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform for a live radio broadcast, driving out to the Great Salt Lake and the Bonneville Salt Flats (as well as a brief visit to nearby Nevada).
We left Salt Lake City and headed up to Idaho, visiting Shoshone Falls, Craters of the Moon (sorry, no pictures yet), and Idaho Falls. (BTW, if you're ever in Idaho Falls, make sure to stop at Smitty's for some awesome Sourdough Pancakes!!!)
We left Idaho and headed over to Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons. Unfortunately, the south entrance to Yellowstone was still closed for the season, so we had to backtrack and loop back around to get up to our accommodations in West Yellowstone. We then spent two days in Yellowstone, even though half of the park was not accessible. (It's a BIG park.)
From there, we headed to Billings, Montana and Rapid City, South Dakota, stopping at Devil's Tower, Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore. (We wanted to get to Jewel Cave, but they were still on a shorter winter schedule.)
From Rapid City, we headed to Minneapolis by way of the Badlands, The World Famous Wall Drug, and the Mitchell Corn Palace. The next morning, we did some shopping, then had lunch at Space Aliens (before hitting the road and heading back to Wisconsin).
It's hard to come back here. I'd rather be out West !!!
About mid-April, I headed out to Denver for business. Since, that's 1000+ miles from home, I decided to travel over two days -- stopping for the night in Omaha (the halfway point). I also visited a few pioneer trail historical sites in Iowa and Nebraska.
I spent the next 10 days in the Denver metro area, doing field research. I was also able to visit with Britney Winkler on three separate occasions. Please continue to lift her up in prayer, as well as the rest of her family.
Upon leaving Denver, I headed up to the mountains to spend a few days with family near Gypsum. We didn't have any snow until the morning that I was supposed to leave. (It snowed about 18 inches overnight.) I wasn't able to leave until after noon, but easily made it to Salt Lake City by the evening.
My friend flew in the next evening, and we were able to spend a few days in the area, doing a variety of things like genealogy research at the Family History Library, seeing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform for a live radio broadcast, driving out to the Great Salt Lake and the Bonneville Salt Flats (as well as a brief visit to nearby Nevada).
We left Salt Lake City and headed up to Idaho, visiting Shoshone Falls, Craters of the Moon (sorry, no pictures yet), and Idaho Falls. (BTW, if you're ever in Idaho Falls, make sure to stop at Smitty's for some awesome Sourdough Pancakes!!!)
We left Idaho and headed over to Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons. Unfortunately, the south entrance to Yellowstone was still closed for the season, so we had to backtrack and loop back around to get up to our accommodations in West Yellowstone. We then spent two days in Yellowstone, even though half of the park was not accessible. (It's a BIG park.)
From there, we headed to Billings, Montana and Rapid City, South Dakota, stopping at Devil's Tower, Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore. (We wanted to get to Jewel Cave, but they were still on a shorter winter schedule.)
From Rapid City, we headed to Minneapolis by way of the Badlands, The World Famous Wall Drug, and the Mitchell Corn Palace. The next morning, we did some shopping, then had lunch at Space Aliens (before hitting the road and heading back to Wisconsin).
It's hard to come back here. I'd rather be out West !!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
