Almost everyone has heard the saying "the customer is always right." Whether it be from a job you worked or someone you know, it's a common understanding in retail and recreation industries. It is used to train employees, almost like a slogan for the way managers and owners want employees to think while they're at work. However, there are more negative outcomes than positive.
It's gotten to the point where now more than ever, customers have taken advantage and put the goodwill of the employees at risk. I have been harassed, cursed at and even had things thrown at me by patrons. I have had a dad yell at me while blowing his cigarette smoke in my face. I was even threatened once after the last slice of pepperoni pizza was sold to the person before them in line. And you know what my managers did? Nothing, except perhaps offering them coupons and complimentary items for their "inconvenience."
It's not even the manager's fault. Their bosses have told them the same thing. They have to suck it up and be as nice and as helpful as possible to even the most heinous of customers. They have been taught to cater to ignorance and childishness, all for the sake of the face value of the store. If I saw a store handle a patron acting in such a manner with calm and firm attitudes, I would feel much safer. I would feel like they understand what maturity is. I would cheer them on as they gently told the customer that such behavior was not tolerated, and if they could not behave they would be asked to leave the store. This is what should happen, not the apologetic groveling I have seen by many workers.
This is bullshit. Plain and simple. If a customer walks into an establishment and decides to act like a child, they should be treated as such. Cussing out your waiter because they forget to bring the ranch? Time for you to leave. Complaining about something ridiculous at a fast food employee in an attempt to get free food? Sorry, can't help you. Getting violently angry at the lifeguard because your child is too short to go down the slide? You're done for the day. Come back to the pool when you can be an adult.
The slogan should be "the customer is almost always right." I know a majority of the people out there are understanding and reasonable, and they should be catered to. They deserve the free dessert given to them after their order was accidentally messed up. They deserve to be listened to when they are frustrated about something not being in stock and just need to vent it out. A customer should not feel like they can't complain (reasonably and respectfully) to an employee about an issue. We want your feedback and your recommendations. We want your business, but we shouldn't have to sacrifice the dignity of our employees to do so.
Employees are people, not your personal punching bags.
