What Are Your Personal Pet Peeves?

Everyone has something that just rubs them the wrong way. Here is my number one pet peeve:

I can't stand it when people in the "customer service industry" don't know how to treat customers properly.

This applies to every service profession from salespeople to customer service reps, from waitresses to taxi drivers... anyone who works with the public who does not know the proper way to handle customers.

For example, it doesn't sit well with me when a salesperson starts helping you and then turns his attention to another salesperson because that salesperson doesn't know how to work a cash register or something else. Then he ignores you and continues to work with the other salesperson for the next five minutes while you stand there...

Or how about when you go to return something at a Customer Service line and the rep yells out, "NEXT!" and then you walk up and tell her why you are returning the item. But instead of saying, "I'm sorry you had a problem with this item. Would you like a refund or to replace it with a new one," she says, "Huh! Fill this out. Did you damage the item in any way?" (Assuming you caused the problem.)

Or how about a waitresses who looks really perturbed that you have not decided on what to order after only giving you two minutes with the menu. Then she says, "Have you decided yet or do you need more time?" Then when she returns with your order, she just plops the plate down and never returns to check on you or to see if you need a drink refill...

Or how about the cab driver who refuses to get out of the cab to help you with your luggage. Instead, he pops the latch on the trunk and stays in the driver's seat waiting for you to load the luggage yourself. Doesn't that bother you just a little?

I suppose all I want is a little courtesy and a little more common sense from service people. Knowing how to say "Thank you for your business" goes a long way. Or when something isn't working out quite right for the customer, saying something like, "I'm sorry that it didn't work out for you. Can I help you find something else that is better suited for you?" That makes a huge difference to someone who is already upset with their purchase.

Often I've thought about how much more business companies can get simply by training their employees to be a little nicer when dealing with customers. Customer service can then truly mean "Customer Service." That's my pet peeve.