rush, rush rush! go, go, go!

[Zarn Ishtare]

I think that the customer-advocates here might have a different opinion after working a straight week of eight hour days, understaffed, during the Christmas rush at the toy store.


Or not.

[Nate]

But really, is a single DVD really worth waiting for? Perhaps a basket full of groceries. But a single item?

I find it especially amusing that someone who is in the military is so impatient. I remember having to wait an hour and a half in line to get into the Ship's Store just to get a belt buckle. The military must have really changed if someone can't wait two minutes to purchase a DVD.

[EireWolf]

I think that the customer-advocates here might have a different opinion after working a straight week of eight hour days, understaffed, during the Christmas rush at the toy store.

Probably yes.

Seriously, if you really can't wait two minutes for a worker to find something, fine. Just don't be rude about it. It doesn't take but a few seconds of your time to say, "Thank you, but I'll come back another time." Then everyone is less stressed out, and the world is a nicer place.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I'm glad to see your coming around. LOL (yes I'm sure that was just a typo, but still... the Irony!)

But really, is a single DVD really worth waiting for? Perhaps a basket full of groceries. But a single item?

Correct, that was a typo. I meant to say "immaturity".

But even so. I understand having to wait an hour for a DVD. That's just ridiculous, but I think being unable to wait 10 minutes or so is not something to be proud of]Probably yes.

Seriously, if you really can't wait two minutes for a worker to find something, fine. Just don't be rude about it. It doesn't take but a few seconds of your time to say, "Thank you, but I'll come back another time." Then everyone is less stressed out, and the world is a nicer place. [/QUOTE]
Right, I totally agree with you. I remember going to Dunkin' Donuts one morning, waiting in line to get a breakfast sandwich. There were only two employees in the store (Understaffed of course) and I could tell off the spot that the front-counter guy was definitely new on the job. While the wait was only minorly annoying, I sympathized for the dude (As one food service lackey to another). However, some middle-aged dad was complaining out loud as to how slow the line was; and I thought that was extremely rude of him.

[EireWolf]

Yeah... I just think that courtesy is fading from the world, and it makes me sad.

Of course, I have been guilty of impatience many times. But I am trying to change that about myself.

Can you imagine what the world would be like if everyone smiled at each other (at least the people you interact with)? Just that simple thing...

[Radical Dreamer]

But really, is a single DVD really worth waiting for? Perhaps a basket full of groceries. But a single item?

If you don't have enough time to "wait in line" to buy a DVD, what are you doing in the store in the first place? I mean, seriously, waiting is a part of life. Not having the capacity to stand in line for a few minutes to buy something, anything, is a sign that you seriously need to slow down in life. I don't know what you think you have to do that makes it so you can't just wait for 5 minutes (excluding emergencies), but you really need to chillax a little. o_o

[Hakaii]

If you don't have enough time to "wait in line" to buy a DVD, what are you doing in the store in the first place? I mean, seriously, waiting is a part of life. Not having the capacity to stand in line for a few minutes to buy something, anything, is a sign that you seriously need to slow down in life. I don't know what you think you have to do that makes it so you can't just wait for 5 minutes (excluding emergencies), but you really need to chillax a little. o_o

Well, for one, my baby is due around early April. Which means that my wife could go into labor anytime between now and then. 5 minutes can definately mean a lot to me. And another thing, I'm not in the military, YET, the pic is of me in JROTC. I am studying now to get into engineering in the Air Force. (seriously, I should change that pic. This is the 3rd time this month I've explained that.) But in the case of buying a buckle and waiting for it. I would also have done that. A buckle is necessary, it's worth waiting for. Patience is sometimes a virtue. (all things in moderation.) A better virtue is being able to know when to wait for something and when to move on to something more important.

[Nate]

Patience is sometimes a virtue. (all things in moderation.)

I can't think of a time when patience wouldn't be a virtue. In fact, the Bible repeatedly says that patience is always necessary. Proverbs says a man's wisdom gives him patience...wonder if that says something about those who are impatient.

Also the Bible frequently speaks of God as being patient. Since we, as Christians, are to strive to be like God, that means we must have the same supernatural patience as He. Could you imagine if God had patience like human beings? We'd all be in Hell. Earth probably wouldn't exist either, He would have destroyed it in a fit of impatience.

It's your choice if you want to not wait two minutes to purchase a DVD. But I seriously can't think of any situation in which it would be a hassle to wait those two minutes outside of a dire emergency...and if it's a dire emergency, why would you be at an electronics store in the first place?

[Mave]

Am I considered a customer advocate in this particular discussion based on what I've written so far, Zarn?

[meboeck]

Am I considered a customer advocate in this particular discussion based on what I've written so far, Zarn?

I personally think being busy is a valid point; however, I think the customer's schedule is the customer's responsibility. I have seen countless times at work when people have tried to blame being late for their flight on a 15 minute line. At a large airport, 15 minutes isn't a long line. If you didn't come prepared to wait a little, you didn't leave enough room in your schedule. If you have a busy schedule and are willing to aknowledge that you have too much to do and not enough time to do it, that's great. If you have a busy schedule and resort to blaming your lack of time on other people, that's unfair. You seem to be very aware that your lack of time is due to your own schedule, but many people don't seem to believe that.

[Hakaii]

I agree, there's no reason to blame my own scheduling problems on a line at some store. But at the same time, If I just put the item down and leave, would that really be impatience or simply giving the workers a break by coming back when the store is less buisy?

[Mave]

You seem to be very aware that your lack of time is due to your own schedule, but many people don't seem to believe that.

Goodness, I hope everyone here understands that I'm NOT blaming anyone for making me waste time waiting in a line. Meboeck, if my schedule is busy and I didn't do too well in taking the line-waiting time duration into account, then that is my responsibility (I agree with you). Because of that, I see no reason why the customer should be rude or mean (actually, I think ppl should try to avoid being rude regardless of any situation).

As I said before, I would typically apologize and say "I'm sorry but I really have to go. I won't buy the item right now. Maybe I'll come back another time." *rushes off* I think something like that can be said politely and pleasantly.

I was just trying to explain why some ppl may decide not to wait for an item even if it's merely a few minutes. Some of those working behind the counter may still feel upset but trust me, it ain't worthed getting frustrated over. Like I said before, the tag fell out. It isn't your fault. As long as you know that you tried your best and remain respectful to the customer through it all, you should be proud of yourself.

I have worked behind the serving counter before (assuming that being a dorm grill cook counts?) serving customers their breakfast and lunch --> 9 hours a day, understaffed, hot/stuffy environment and the occasional accidents with frying oil. It's tough to keep smiling and being polite with picky customers with special requests or grumpy customers who just crawled out from bed for their breakfast and those ~delightful~ ones who complain about just ANYTHING! So yeah, been there, done that.