Devoted to customer service and the principles of exceptional customer services

I was in the drugstore the other day waiting in line to pay.  It was around seven-ish, the time when people are doing their after work errands and generally a busy time in my little corner of suburbia.  Only one cashier was available without another worker in sight.  I turned around and noticed that there were about ten other people waiting in line too and many of them tapping their shoes, glancing at their watches and giving the cashier the evil eye as she nonchalantly chatted with the person she was currently ringing up. 

I'm all for having conversations with your customers....However...she didn't acknowledge the next person in line by saying, "I'll be right with you" or didn't offer a "Thank you for waiting". 

Contrast that with yesterday's waiting-in-line venture at the bookstore cafe.  Again, one person behind the counter - but this time the next person in line waiting was acknowledged with "I'll be right with you".  There was no toe-tapping or glances at the watch.  Just patient people who are willing to wait eons to get their coffee fix.  It also helped that the  cashier/barista was very upbeat and smiley. 

But then...perhaps bookstore cafe customers are more patient than drugstore customers?  That's a whole other topic...