NICK THE BLOG - BLOG 8
Welcome to my eighth blog for the Shuttle newspaper. A big thank you for all the praise I've recieved. This weeks blog is all about understanding the negative behaviour of some of our more anally retentive readers. what is considered polite in one culture can often be quite rude or simply strange in another. Here are a few suggestions that could possibly create a little harmony.
Like all of us I do a lot of shopping. There are times after I've purchased my goods and stand in the queue where my jaw drops at the lack of respect given by shoppers to people working in retail. Some people aren't very good at communicating, it's a skill to some and a hurdle for others. Not everyone enjoys having to stand in a line, but it's amazing how cold some people can be without knowing it.
If I go to the shop, buy some milk, get served by someone, I always try to remember to say "Thank you". It doesn't matter if I don't know the person. It's just a nice thing to do. Now I know a lot of people who work in retail have to say "thank you" to a customer because they are representing the interests of the company they work for, but I see very few people coming out of supermarkets etc responding to anything a cashier says to them other than if there's a problem with their goods.
They're human beings. When I say "thank you" I mean it everytime. They have to sit at a till, day in, day out, and be on display to the general public, whether or not they have a big zit on their forehead or if they are having a bad hair day. They have to be civil to a lot of sometimes very rude customers. Hey, if someone serves me with a real bad attitude then yeah I'm probably likely to say something like "steady on", but when you've got someone helping you pack your shopping or serving you it's not too hard to say "thank you" or "have a good day" is it?
A lot of people love knocking this idea with things like "oh...they are paid to do a job so why should I be nice?", well that says a lot about the person when you look into it. Why should you be nice? Well why not? Saying "thank you" doesn't mean you have to engage in a 90 minute conversation if you are in a rush. When I say "have a good day" I often notice a genuine smile from cashiers, most likely because it's something they very rarely hear.....
A good tip here is if the cashier has a name tag thank them with their name. The joy and smile this brings to worth hundred times more for the effort to say it.
[bold]The Wyre Forest Agenda (www.wfa.org.uk)[/bold]
A good tip here is if the cashier has a name tag thank them with their name. The joy and smile this brings to worth hundred times more for the effort to say it.
A lovely blog, Nick, and so true. I'd guess you were 'brought up' very well, as I believe I was, and obviously taught to be respectful to people in all walks of life. I think your point that "some people aren't very good at communicating" is spot on, and can lead to a misunderstanding that certain people are ignorant. Sometimes all that's needed is for someone to acknowledge them, and engage them in conversation. Conversely, some people really are ignorant!! PS: Rich Rydell thinks you are an ace geezer - so you'll do for me!!
A lovely blog, Nick, and so true. I'd guess you were 'brought up' very well, as I believe I was, and obviously taught to be respectful to people in all walks of life. I think your point that "some people aren't very good at communicating" is spot on, and can lead to a misunderstanding that certain people are ignorant. Sometimes all that's needed is for someone to acknowledge them, and engage them in conversation. Conversely, some people really are ignorant!! PS: Rich Rydell thinks you are an ace geezer - so you'll do for me!!
Posted by: Nick J.Townsend at 9:53pm on Fri 9 May 08
Thank you to you both and may you have a great week too, oh and Bruce...read your blog, you are so good at music history mate, if you haven't done a book yet then please consider it becasue you're bloomin good at your research :)
Thank you to you both and may you have a great week too, oh and Bruce...read your blog, you are so good at music history mate, if you haven't done a book yet then please consider it becasue you're bloomin good at your research :)
hi nick and yes you got it spot on again i worked the other side of counter and it was always welcomed when someone used to say thanks even tho i was doing my job
have a great day and kepp up the blogging John
hi nick and yes you got it spot on again i worked the other side of counter and it was always welcomed when someone used to say thanks even tho i was doing my job
have a great day and kepp up the blogging John
Posted by: Robbie Albarn at 12:49pm on Sun 11 May 08
Great blog nick
I worry that the old English tradition of manners is slowly dwindling at times. Please and thankyou, when said with meaning and a smile are two very powerful words. You have it spot on here.
Thankyou :)
Great blog nick
I worry that the old English tradition of manners is slowly dwindling at times. Please and thankyou, when said with meaning and a smile are two very powerful words. You have it spot on here.
Thankyou :)
Posted by: Nick J.Townsend at 1:42pm on Sun 11 May 08
Thank you Robbie. Yes, I've also noticed a decline in the old English tradition of manners over the years. It's amazing how 'good manners' are overlooked by some of our more ruder friends. Have a nice weekend Rob.
Thank you Robbie. Yes, I've also noticed a decline in the old English tradition of manners over the years. It's amazing how 'good manners' are overlooked by some of our more ruder friends. Have a nice weekend Rob.
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