Interesting conversaton overhead today

[johno]

I was in Target doing some shopping.

Another Customer: Excuse me... Do you work here?
Sale Associate: Yes I do.
AC: Where can I find...
SA: {interupting} I'm on my break.

Me: Wrong answer girl!
Called out as I turn a corner down a aisle.

Pause...

SA: What were you looking for?

Comments

[mochimonkey.livejournal.com]

Wow. That's just... wow. But, Good for you! And for the SA for actually doing her work instead of getting snarky. What are they teaching customer service people nowadays? Sheesh.

[violet-tigress1.livejournal.com]

Nothing, would be my guess.

[idea-fairy.livejournal.com]

This leads me to thoughts of a veil with the words "NOT IN SERVICE" printed all over it in whatever languages customers of that store are likely to be most fluent in. Then when a staff member goes on break they can drape the veil over their face and customers will know not to ask them anything.

[trinsf.livejournal.com]

While I appreciate the concern you had, I don't think it's appropriate to call the SA "girl". It's sexist, it's demeaning, it's overly familar.

[johno.livejournal.com]

It may have been a snap decision to make the call out, the choice of the word "girl" was deliberately chosen to indicate I thought she was young and untrained.

[trinsf.livejournal.com]

I still think it was insulting. I have a high enough opinion of you that I think it was beneath you to be deliberately insulting to a woman in that position. What was she supposed to say? "I'm sorry, I'm on my break?" "I'm on my break, *Sir*?" Or do you think that she doesn't get to have 15 minutes off? I mean, she's already probably not getting any benefits or healthcare; she doesn't get to shop in peace, either?

an amusing aside

[theresamather.livejournal.com]

Since I don't normally carry a purse, often other women assume I work at whatever store I'm shopping at. I have had a number of incidents where women get very angry at me when I won't "help" them. It's kind of funny. When they start in I just tell them " sorry, I don't work here", but occasionally they don't believe me and get even angrier.

Re: an amusing aside

[johno.livejournal.com]

I used to work at a mall and that would happen all the time.

Me: "I'm sorry I don't work here."
AP: "You're wearing a vest and a name tag!"
Me: "Yes, for the movie theater. However, this is the food court and we are both in line."

[drewkitty.livejournal.com]

I am constantly asked if I will help someone because I am mistaken for an employee. My stock answer:

"I don't work here, but sure."

It's a great chance to practice my customer service skills.

If it's really a Store Question, I find them an associate.

Of course, if they are rude or I am feeling snarky, I provide service appropriate to the situation.

As for the term 'girl' I only use it when I would use the term 'boy' in reference to a male. I do not have enough gray hairs for either.

[jadecat9.livejournal.com]

Haha. That's hilarious. Good for you. I would have said the same exact thing.

As I worked retail in HS, if I went on my break, I'd take off any identifying marks and either stayed firmly put in the break room or literally run out the door to prevent exactly this situation.

[johno.livejournal.com]

Yep, if you're on the floor, you're on duty.

Question

[hazelchaz]

I try to ask "Are you working here?" to allow for the possibility of someone being on their way off to their break...