supermarket staff

I have seen some customers behave disgracefully towards staff, is there any need for behaviour like that..... we wouldnt let our children behave like that it.

I was once out in the kitchen in the cafe in Sainsbury's sorting out the lunch menu with one of the girls. A customer started yelling at us because she'd decided we were out there talking about her. When I went out to speak to her and tried to explain that we hadn't even known she was there she became so abusive that I really thought she was going to come round and attack me. Enter the store manager who gave me a lecture on customer service and said that he'd given the woman £50 worth of vouchers because she started crying. Well of course she cried - she knew it would work! I found out afterwards that she was well known in all the other departments because she was always doing it.

Deedaa It's a sad sign of the times that some folk will stoop so low for a freebie.

I just think there is no excuse for rudeness whoever does it, I would never be rude to supermarket staff as they do a good job and I for one appreciate them. I was answering Deedaas comment that a staff member may be rude to me cos someone had been rude to them ten minutes earlier and I do not think that is a good enough reason to be rude to me. My DD works for the head office of one of the top supermarkets and has worked on the shop floor so I do have some knowledge of what they go through. If you are not happy with the way a staff member has treated you report them. I think ramming a cage with a trolley was rather silly personally, but that's just my view.

merlotgran I'm very grateful when they lead the way to what I'm looking for, even though it's not always strictly necessary. I expect, provided people are suitably polite and appreciative, they enjoy it too. It's nice to receive a smile and a thank you and to feel that you've helped someone.

I don't think rudeness is exclusive to either customers or sales staff - some people are thoughtful and good-mannered and some people are not - though I expect we all have our moments!

I find that some people are just not suited to this sort of situation. The problems start when people take things personally and then start flouncing off saying "I'm not paid to put up with this" Actually that is exactly what you are paid for and you have to learn to rise above it and keep a smile on your face. It's just that sometimes you'd like a bit of support from management (some companies are much better than others, I've mentioned my feelings about Sainsbury's before) If you are being pressured from above to meet unattainable targets it makes it more difficult to cope with everything else.