First off, yes, I do see you wanting my help while my hands are full. As much as you'd like for me to physically drop what I'm working on onto the floor, that is against regulation in most stores and I am doing my best to get to you and help you on your way. In result, here are a few fresh ideas on how not to treat your waiter/barista/associate/etc.
1. Raise your voice.
As much as we may look it, the good number of us are not deaf, we are simply worn out and trying to get through our day just like you. When you are not immediately paid attention to, we probably have:
a) a line of orders or people to help
b) a store emergency (they happen more than you think)
c) a customer we are literally in the middle of helping before you interrupted
d) all of the above
2. Tell us you have important places to be, unlike us.
Think of it this way. Your boss at work comes into your office to listen to you give a business proposition you've long been preparing for, only to interrupt you and tell you to please be faster and that they have much more important places to be than here, in your office, listening to you. Now we may not have the fancy office that you do, but a workplace is a workplace and you have just done the same thing to us as your boss has done to you.
3. Give off terrible body language.
I've dealt with this personally many times. Whether it be snatching a blouse that I went to go get for you in another size because you think I took to long, or snapping your fingers at me from your table because I didn't bring your coffee straight to you; it is important to know that body language is read so easily and interpreted so quickly. Our brains naturally take note of the things you do and match it with a face, and not so many workers will be so pleasant next time we see you.
4. Demand our 24/7 attention.
This is an easy one.The definition of a store is a retail establishment that sells goods to the public (the public). The store does not solely exist for your benefit, we are recognized as a place that caters to many people, people that make up the public. Yes, you are one factor that makes up that public and we will do our best to help you in any way we can, but make sure it doesn't go to your head.
5. File complaints.
Yes, for some workers, complaints must be filed because they have done something either completely rude, wrong, or unsafe. As for that barista that you just filed a complaint about because she didn't brew your coffee as quickly as you would like, you'd probably have better things to do with your time.
6. Don't tip.
This is all too common for the food service portion of society. It has come to better light recently as regulated wages have been expressed for many waiters and waitresses. Many work off of a very small amount of base pay and greatly off of tips, so by stiffing because you don't think they deserved it or because they weren't awesome really does hurt financially.
7. Laugh or yell louder if we make a mistake.
If we make a mistake, we're already embarrassed enough and doing our best to quickly resolve the situation. There's no need to laugh and point or yell louder at us if you've already been waiting. We're doing the best we can.
8. Pretend you aren't fluent in the language being spoken when you don't get free stuff.
As uncommon as this seems, I've strangely gotten it many times. So much so that I normally call my manager over to resolve the situation so they can be the one to deal with the decision to give out free items or not. First of all, when we were having a conversation before, your English was perfectly fine. Once you don't get what you want and you suddenly start tripping over your words and interjecting some words in another language, I'm going to be suspicious.
Overall, please remember that whoever you cross paths with throughout your day is trying to get through the day just like you. Everyone has good days and bad days, and it only takes a little bit to help with someone else's day to make it a good one.
