HAVE YOU EVER FIND YOURSELF DOING THIS....

I used to at one time be a friendly person. I walked with a smile, had patience, and always acknowledge the stranger next to me, even it was just a little nod. When I shopped in stores, I always struck up a conversation with the cashier, the woman in line with me, and even was very forgiven for the rudeness of those around me. Now I find myself...resenting the clerk in the store, the cashier, the one spending the money...because I wonder...is she/he the one that got the job instead of me?

I love Barnes and Noble...could buy the store out if I had the money....love to read, the smell of coffee, of books... So, why not apply (even if it's going to be Part time) . Standard procedure after applying??? Never heard a thing. Since then I have walked in numerous times only to see many new faces much younger than me, and one, much older whom I knew very well. I used to work with her matter of fact...the woman has got to be in her 70's, and walks around in a daze, not a well kept person at all....I'm thinking, you got to be kidding. She can get a job here, but I can't????

When to Bob's Stores the other day, to return a purchased item, and never got a smile or feedback from the customer service person that waited on me. She just waited on me rather routinely. Now, being a person who has worked in Customer Service all my life, I was appalled that this woman had a job. So I wrote to Bob's Stores...telling them exactly how I felt, that if their employees can't interact with the customer and make them feel good about shopping there, then why doesn't she quit, and give those who want a job a place to work. Oh, I am horrible lately...but I vow that if the people they hire over me isn't doing their job...they employers/managers will know about it. I am tired of being ignored, and stepped over.

Have you ever felt like this???

Maybe that is the problem. It appals us, but it doesn't appal the hiring manager. They don't want workers that will take their job responsibly. They want workers that will stand in the lettuce and then post it on the internet.

I don't question so much if that got the job instead of me, but I do question the training practices and the work ethics of many. Not that I ever want to see people fired, but if people want consumer confidence to return then they should train their staff to make consumers feel they are receiving quality product and quality service. With so many people out of work, employees who are clock watchers or who are doing you a favor by doing their job do get resented, you can't help but feel that way. However, being fair, I resented that treatment when I worked. I also resent people not being properly trained and thrown to the wolves and left to fend for themselves, which happens too.

Marilyn, I still strike up conversations with people who seem receptive. I find more and more though, people aren't. But, that's my personality, so I still do it.

i work with people all the time....that i wonder who hired them...

(small short contracts)

And those cheezy TV ads that make light of gainfully employed, incompetent workers just infuriates me. They try to make you think that this is the "new normal", so get used to it. To me, its an insult to those who made an honest living and who used to take their jobs seriously.

My folks always make the cashiers count back the change to them. They won't leave until they do and get the amount right. I can't tell you how many times, they can't count it correctly. The people waiting in the line just shake their heads as well. Most are patient enough to wait, they think it is disgraceful as well that the young cashiers cannot do the math in their heads. This doesn't happen all the time, but at the big MC Don, the cashier machine tells them the amount to give back in change, and these folks still cannot do it. It's not like they have to count hundreds or something, so they don't have the proper bills to give back. So, usually the cashiers just say, "here is your change, have a nice day".

Yes I have thought this. I've dealt with so many incompetent offices that can't even get a piece of paper sent, I wonder if the people who don't want to work are the ones most apt to get a job.

In 2010, I was competing against an applicant that have never sent a fax, didn't see why she needed to learn how, and had a bare minimum knowledge of Windows. She really wasn't all that keen to get the job, but she had a high-placed uncle that was backing her. Guess who got the job.

MaryKay wrote:However, being fair, I resented that treatment when I worked. I also resent people not being properly trained and thrown to the wolves and left to fend for themselves, which happens too.

I agree with you on that one...My employers used to use the line (for managers): "You are only as good as those under you are!" I don't blame the individual that got hired for the poor job they appear to be doing...I blame the hiring personnel, and managers for thinking their doing a great job without directing them otherwise. Constructive Criticism should be one of the norms when overseeing employees. But then again, by not showing them how to do a job correctly, they don't have to give them that raise.

Or it could also be possible that they don't want their jobs to be threatened by having an a great staff beneath them.

MaryKay wrote:Marilyn, I still strike up conversations with people who seem receptive. I find more and more though, people aren't. But, that's my personality, so I still do it.

My problem is the anger I am living with. It's overtaking me, and I am one that could never pretend. If I can go back to work, I'd certainly go back to be the friendly person I was. I'd be ecstatic!

You may be right about the competition thing.

I've heard that they hire young people (to attract more customers) AND without benefits so they won't have to pay them much, and then if they "suddenly" need proper training then these people are fired for being incompentent. And since it didn't cost much, the employers can do it again. That's unfair!

oops, "incompetent".

The smile wore off my face long time ago.

When I tried to talk to anyone in a friendly manner they looked at me as though it were odd to speak to a stranger.

I always feel this way Marilyn. So many people looking for work and you go places where people are doing you a "favor" to wait on you. Makes me crazy. But, like you, I am a friendly person, speak to everyone and try to smile. I was a customer service manager for most of my 38 years and seeing this behavior fries my pickles.

Now, it can be the person, but 9 out of 10, it's a complete lack of training within the store. Granted, parenting comes into play, but training your personnel, your "front line" is really important.

fUNEMPLOYMENT, I won't let them take my smile, they can think I am crazy, I don't care what they think of me. I took a course once about attitude and smiling etc, thought it was b.s. but the truth is, when I do the steps, even if I force myself, I do have a better day. Truth be told, I think it's fun to see people's reactions. Most times they engage. When they don't, tough darts, their loss. It's a smile, it's words, they cost nothing. I have actually struck up enough conversation with some to find out they were unemployed, gave them the site information and hopefully they joined and it helped them.

MaryKay wrote: It's a smile, it's words, they cost nothing.

Absolutely

I understand this completely. I just cannot be happy anymore, especially when I go to places where I'd like to work. I try to be more aware of how I am in public these days- yes, it is the worker's job to help me, but you get more flies with honey than with vinegar.

Personally, I hate pleasantries. I am an introvert and I value efficiency and service over someone smiling and chatting me up when I just want to get what I came for and leave. Few people have time to enjoy those small aspects of life anymore. However, I do find it sad when someone doesn't enjoy their job. You don't always know what goes on behind the scenes either- maybe these seemingly low-skill workers have to deal with other stuff because they are understaffed. Maybe they have extra hours, extra duties, or a really awful manager. I try not to blame these people because I know they are used to being yelled at for another idiot's mistake. But I at least try to stand there and listen and go out of my way to help them. Even if I am not very good at smiling. (Guess my face was just created for a perpetual frown.)

I think Americans in particular are too obsessed with good service. Anywhere else in the world, you expect to be treated like a number. Maybe not in Japan, where they take service to the extreme, but most other places...

What we need to do is go back to the aptitude standard. You take tests or get assessed for certain jobs and they actually place you where you would be most useful. I think everyone would be happier at work if this were the case. Who cares about the money at that point?