General Chat

Was in a department store in the West End today and trying to match some earrings to a necklace I had. I, very politely, asked a sales assistant who was chatting to her friend, if she had anything in that particular green. 'No' she said and turned back to her friend. I fumed for a few minutes and then went up to the cash desk. In my best Penelope Keith accent (put on!) I said very loudly so everyone could hear. 'Thank you for NOTHING... Now please go back and continue the conversation which I so rudely interrupted' The stunned silence and jaw dropping was sweet. I swept out of the shop and, felt great! Has anyone else lashed out when they felt ignored or put upon?

Good for you! I hate that. Such bad manners! Claire xx

Wasn't ignored...in fact the opposite! Was working in the pub a couple of days after I'd split with the boyf and a regular was being sleazy and asking when I'd let him take me out to which I replied: 'R__, I'm single not DESPERATE!' Haven't seen him since! becx

Oh Bec. You are never stuck for an answer! Attagirl. xx Grandma

yey!!! go BC!!!!

Grandma - I get my feistyness from you sweetie! I may only be 5'3 and not much good in a fight but I can do some damage with my tongue! Becx

only at my hubby when he forgot to buy me a drink and bought all his mates onexxxxx):

Yes, it's so dammed rude to treat customers that way. Back in the sixties I worked in a store in the west end. The disapline was so rigid of how you treated a customer. One thing you were never allowed to do was natter behind the counter. Good for you! Jo.

Good for you, Buttercup! Another stance you could take is - 'Isn't that Brad Pitt over there?' then 'Right - now I have your attention', blah blah blah.

Glenys. Like that one! Must remember for the next time! BC

Mind you, hopefully there won't be a next time! lol.

Good for you! That is such bad manners. Must have felt so good. I wouldn't have had the guts myself, but congrats to you!

travelling alone and being at hotel reception desks is awful. You just have to make a noise like a banshee. someone travelling alone told me 'remember you are invisible, it doesnt matter what you do no one will notice' Good advice ! You cang et away with blue murder !! brenda

Hi BC When I was in the supermarket last week I stopped to ask an assistant where something was. Somebody also stopped at the other side of the aisle at the same time. There wasn't quite enough room for the lady coming in the other direction to get through, but she still carried on trying to barge her way through. I turned and said to her 'I think you'll find the words you're looking for are excuse me'. The look on her face was priceless! lol Jeanette x

Jeanette - love that too! I dont think sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. I think its great!!! XX BC

I am sure I added to this thread about ten minutes ago! Now I have vanished! So I am invisbile Jane

The rudest thing is when assistants carry on their conversation while one serves you. Dont they realise that if it wasnt for us they would not have a job. How rude is that though, cant have had any training in customer relations.

I have twice been made to feel I was interrupting shop assistants - who were chatting on their mobiles!! I am told that when I let my hair go white, I will be completely invisible, so not long now......... Dilys

Everyday at work

I think the concept of service is improving, but I do remember asking an assistant in a shop if a dress was available in other sizes and she said without even looking at me 'If its not on the rail, we haven't got it'. Sometimes you want to scream 'Where do you think the money to pay your wages comes from?' My husband had a watch given him as a 21st birthday present by his grandmother. After 2 years the battery needed replacing. He went to the jewellers, where two women were chatting behind the counter. After waiting patiently for a minute, he asked if they could change the battery. One of the women said 'Yes, you can collect it next week'. My husband said he was hoping they could do it there and then. She said (imagine this!) 'We can't just drop everything for you' and added 'You're supposed to go back to the shop where it was bought' to which my husband retorted 'It was bought in this shop, but it's the last thing that will be bought here by any of my family'. He then went to a tiny one-man-jeweller's, who did it on the spot, FREE OF CHARGE. NELL