McRude
So I'm on lunch today and zip through Cordova's branch of the golden arches (I'm one of 72 people in the entire U.S. who lives for the McRib "Limited Time Only" time frame). My cash-strapped self zipped through window #1 using my Union Planters (aka Regions Bank) check card. Then I proceed to window #2.
The lovely employee who possessed my lunch kept the window closed until absolutely necessary. I chalked it up to 40 degree temps and gusting wind. Then she opens the window, and it is immediately obvious that my arrival has interrupted her personal conversation with a co-worker. She proceeds to hand me my Dr Pepper, and then my bag, all without ever making eye-contact with me, pausing her conversation, or trying to even summon enough energy to put on a facade that she actually gave a damn.
In discussions of this type consumer-frustration, the comment I hear a lot is "Well, you get what you pay for," implying that a McDonald's employee getting paid 5- or 6-something an hour isn't making enough money to be held accountable for caring. Or the type people that take these jobs, by definition, aren't gonna care. Bologna. Hogwash. Bullcrap. When I started sacking groceries at Kroger at the ripe ole age of 16, minimum wage was $3.40, and I was making a dime more (go ahead, commence the "you're such a baby, I remember when a loaf of bread was 10 cents" speech). I was happy to have a job, and given the fact that
The lovely employee who possessed my lunch kept the window closed until absolutely necessary. I chalked it up to 40 degree temps and gusting wind. Then she opens the window, and it is immediately obvious that my arrival has interrupted her personal conversation with a co-worker. She proceeds to hand me my Dr Pepper, and then my bag, all without ever making eye-contact with me, pausing her conversation, or trying to even summon enough energy to put on a facade that she actually gave a damn.
In discussions of this type consumer-frustration, the comment I hear a lot is "Well, you get what you pay for," implying that a McDonald's employee getting paid 5- or 6-something an hour isn't making enough money to be held accountable for caring. Or the type people that take these jobs, by definition, aren't gonna care. Bologna. Hogwash. Bullcrap. When I started sacking groceries at Kroger at the ripe ole age of 16, minimum wage was $3.40, and I was making a dime more (go ahead, commence the "you're such a baby, I remember when a loaf of bread was 10 cents" speech). I was happy to have a job, and given the fact that
- I was taught manners at an early age, and
- I figured that my new job might be in jeopardy if I went off on people at random or put 10 lbs of potatoes on top of somebody's Wonder bread
I still cared for the service I was providing, and I even got a couple of customer compliments. Did I have bad days? Absolutely. I just don't understand how blatant infractions such as what I experienced today are. My order was right, the fries were hot, and the service was otherwise efficient. Am I wrong to criticize an individual for something as simple as making eye contact or acknowledge the hands into which she's about to put the sack??
posted by Eric C at 4:16 PM
3 Comments:
You know, one time, while working at Barnes & Nobles on 18th and 6th (I believe) I was working the register. It turned out to be my last day on the job, but not because of this incident. I was young, and new to this job. So man with a thick ass book on Viagra approaches the counter and I couldn't help but say "Viagra, good stuff, I love it." You know, I looked every part of the 20 or so years I was at the time so this older gentleman knew I didn't take any such pill. How rude of me, to be so sarcastic. They funniest part of the incident, however, were the two female coworkers who were training me at the time. They couldn't stop giggling. So the man got upset, threatened to tell my supervisor and so forth. I supposed embarrassment got the better of him and so he just took his newly purchased book and bid the place adieu. I didn't mean to be rude, I didn 't know what to say, I thought I was just striking up conversation. In other words, you just can't expect everyone to be so mindful of you (i.e. I wasn't too mindful of this shy individual). Although you may be there, you may not be ALL there... if you get what I mean. I say we cut miss drive-thru window some slack, God knows what juicy gossip she was preempting to hand you your pork and starch.
I was an absolute a** working retail at Camlot Music in high school (Raleigh Springs Mall in the hizz-ouse!), so I give credit to anyone who can put up with customers several hours a day. If you can't, then follow my lead and work elsewhere!
And Eric, I would be the second person who lives for the "limited time only" McRib days. *drool*
I've always said that I think everyone should have to work for the public once, just to see what it's like on that side of the counter. I've worked at Kroger, as a front desk clerk at a hotel, and waited tables. But I don't think that the "I work for the public" badge should be a license to treat customers in an impersonal and often rude manner.
I've often brainstormed about keeping a journal of events such as this, publish a book entitled something like "How The Service Industry is Anything But", include time/date/location for all entries, and force big mega-companies to kiss my posterior because they habitually provided service that was "not consistent with our customer-focused business objectives" or some crap like that.
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