I really don’t have anything against “young” people. Heck, I’m pretty young myself. [Sidebar: In my family we like to transpose numbers around so I consider myself 23] However, I had to wonder if we’re teaching our youngsters nowadays about the importance of helping people.
I was in Vons Supermarket the other day - not my neighborhood Vons, but at a Vons near a friend’s house. All the employees in there were probably no older than 25 and huddled around the cash registers. Some of them ringing and the others I think were bagging.
With shopping list in hand, I was ready to get in and get out. Now usually I feel pretty proficient in a supermarket - I can figure out where things are, but for some reason I kept going back and forth across the store trying to hunt for these items on my list. It was a very slow night and maybe about five people in the store - max. You would’ve thought that an employee would be walking around making sure the customers were doing ok or not stealing stuff, right?
Eventually I made it to the cash register where the inevitable question comes, “Did you find everything that you’re looking for?” Uhh...yeah, but it took thirty minutes longer than it should have!
“Yes, thank you.”
After the purchases were rung up, I was handed my receipt without a word. Where’s my “Thank you, Ms. Palma. Do you need carry out service?” Those are the sentences I expect from Vons. But no, I never got that either.
Now is this a case of young people not really caring about the meaning of service?
Maria, I don't remeber ever getting help in the grocery story (specifically finding things) unless I asked. Maybe the youngsters are not being trained in going the extra mile. Good customer service is learned not bread.
Posted by: Kimberlee Morrison | August 22, 2006 7:41 PM | Permalink to Comment