Just read a post all about politeness and manners between customer service workers and customers, and I just wanted to throw my own rant into my own post.
When I worked at the gas station, I always tried to greet every customer who walked in unless I was really busy. Usually just a ‘Hello. Welcome to Store!’
And you got usually four responses to that.
No acknowledgement at all, or maybe just a nod.
A hello in return.
A genuine 'oh hello! How are you?’ usually from regulars.
And the dreaded: 'How’s it going?’
I never knew how to respond to that. Like it’s a question, so ignoring it seems rude, but many times the person just walked away after asking. Sometimes I would try to answer likrle 'I’m fine. How are you?’ And the really frustrating people would go 'Fine. How are you?’ !!?!?!
Someone explain this to me! I mean if the initial question is just meaning 'hello’ why not just say that? And how am I supposed to tell when someone is actually asking and when they aren’t? I know we are all just trying to be polite, but man I wish people would stop skipping the return hello.
I am dreading going back to work.