In the fast food place this evening...

[MineralMan]

Taco Bell, specifically. Had to work today, and didn't feel like cooking. "Four crunchy tacos and two bean burritos, please, to go."

That's what I told the 20-something who asked, "Whaddya want?" He punched the order into the register and told me the total, and I handed him a five and three ones, which I already had out, since that's my usual order. He handed me my change, and I said, "Thank you."

His response was a bored, "That's OK."

I was not amused. Yes, it's a shit job, but I worked a lot of shit jobs when I was his age, too. I was polite. He was bored and rude. I was all WTF, but just waited for my food.

I wouldn't hire that kid. Nope.

[Ken Burch]

1. Probably the owner's kid. He'll be assistant manager in a month.

That attitude has "sense of entitlement" written all over it.

[MineralMan]

8. No. I know the owner. She has no kids that age.

[Live and Learn]

130. Since you know the owner, why not suggest some training to her.

The kid may not even realize that he is doing anything wrong.

[MineralMan]

136. She provides that training. The people who work there

are excellent. I'm not sure what happened with this one.

[NightWatcher]

2. Do you think his level of service deserves $15 an hour?

I'll get on board with that cause until I start to get apathetic or downright lazy service and that's when I think, "this dude's ruining it for everyone else". Everyone who has been served by this guy will think of his lack of service every time the minimum wage increase debate comes up.

I too have worked too many shit jobs to mention, but I would like to think I was professional acting and polite....except for at the Italian restaurant. We were always stoned at that place. Oh and the cd store in the mall, Stoner Central.

[MineralMan]

9. My first job paid $1.25.

I worked the retail window at a dairy, along with other tasks. Had I done that, I would have gotten a long lecture from the owner.

[roguevalley]

159. my first job was thinning pears in orchards in southern oregon.

It was 96 degrees and incredibly hard. You also had snakes around the base of the trees. I said to a kid we need a union, half facetiously. We were all fired, everyone one of us on the spot. I consider it my finest hour, when I was 17 and clueless that fuckers really existed.

Unions now, unions forever!

[stillwaiting]

54. That job deserves $15 per hour, but if he can't provide good customer service then...

... he should not be employed in that job or any customer service job.

Perhaps a job that doesn't require heavy interaction with the public would be appropriate.

[BlueCaliDem]

76. ^^^This!^^^ eom

[bhikkhu]

61. Maybe if he weren't paid a crappy wage, he wouldn't have a crappy attitude

I know its easy to say one thing has nothing to do with another, but I've worked in places where everyone was getting screwed over come paycheck time, and its pretty hard to keep a good attitude in a generally oppressive workplace. Especially when the management doesn't really care if you quit or not, because they can just hire someone else to do your crappy job. Crap runs downhill, and when you're on the bottom its not easy.

[B Calm]

155. BINGO!

[nomorenomore08]

169. That too. n/t

[Aristus]

123. I've always come at it from the opposite direction.

This kid knows he's getting minimum wage. He knows, at some gut-level, that he's earning the lowest wage legally allowed. At that level, or at another, he's saying to himself: "Hey, my employer doesn't value the work I do, why should I?' He also knows that if he gets fired for his attitude, some other minimum wage job will take him due to high turnover (a consequence of the minimum wage again...)

If these jobs started paying a living wage, and workers had an incentive to work hard and well, I think we'd see less of this kind of behavior. When turnover drops due to job satisfaction (or at least wage satisfaction) employers will be able to be a little more discriminating about who they hire, and these 'warm-bodies' types may clean up their act and make an effort.

As the 1%-ers are constantly telling us, we live in a capitalist society. Advancement is driven by incentive ($$$).

There is an economic model in which workers are supposed to give 100% without regard to remuneration, and for the sheer joy and dignity of working. It's called Communism.

[FrodosPet]

194. Socialism means labor is voluntary, right?

There is an economic model in which workers are supposed to give 100% without regard to remuneration, and for the sheer joy and dignity of working. It's called Communism.

Is it that you work for free if you want to, but if all you want to do is chill on the porch and chain smoke sticky stinky Chongers you will still have a comfortable life, with plentiful food, free rent in a clean and well maintained house, clothing, medical care, entertainment, and transportation under socialism?

[orpupilofnature57]

3. And the 600% profit is enjoyed by someone who doesn't care about either of you

[Kali]

4. yep

[steve2470]

7. nailed it nt

[YarnAddict]

44. The difference is

that I will never be face to face with that person.

If I am patronizing a business, I expect to be treated politely by the people across the counter, and I don't care how bored/underpaid/distracted they are.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

63. ME ME ME

ITS ALL ABOUT ME!

[KittyWampus]

73. Being polite and civil in your daily interactions, whether as patron or customer service

is about "US".

Your response is sort of revealing.

[joeglow3]

126. Sweet reply

Nice polite way to call this selfish person in their attempt to project their selfishness on you.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

154. Thanks Dear Abby.

Maybe we should take two seconds to acknowledge that if someone comes off poorly something bigger may be weighing on their mind (especially if they're working for minimum wage making our disgustingly cheap fast food).


But by all means continue to expect first class service from someone living below the poverty line and then complaining passive aggressively on the internet when your ass isn't kissed.

[Ikonoklast]

148. When you are a paying customer, why yes, yes it is.

Businesses fail when they don't address poor customer relations in a retail setting.

[justice1]

70. I had an elite passenger ask me when I worked as an agent, why airlines oversold flights.

I told him that the people that make those decisions are not the same ones that have to face the passengers. He said, "That is the best answer I have ever heard".

I worked for a couple of companies, one that ended up subcontracting me out. My pay was cut to less then an In and Out employee's starting wage. They doubled my insurance, required I pay for uniforms, that had strings hanging from them right out of the box, and we we often were forced to take the tags off of equipment that didn't work, because the company wouldn't get us working equipment, and the mechanics said they needed to be thrown in the trash. It was common for employees to leave their job while they made phone calls to keep their electricity on. I was horrified to see some employees so hungry, that they resorted to eating leftover food from passengers. The tension was so thick, people were always arguing, but they did their best not to show it to the customers.

I also worked as a temp, for a union company. It was like night and day. Employees were happy and singing Christmas songs, bringing in snacks. The equipment was fixed immediately, and they gave us time to pass our tests. All of the employees had several years worth of experience. The other company knew the tests were set up to cheat, and looked the other way when everyone did, as long as they had something on file with the FAA. They didn't want us to make a career of it.

Bottom line, pay and benefits go a long way to having quality employees.

[orpupilofnature57]

90. +100!!!

[nomorenomore08]

170. +200

"Bottom line, pay and benefits go a long way to having quality employees."

[orpupilofnature57]

89. Apathy is contagious, isn't it ?

[Orsino]

128. That's why they remain underpaid. n/t

[Rex]

141. That is the truth!

If you go to a place that serves shitty food, don't expect VIP treatment.

[LiberalElite]

171. +1,000 nt

[steve2470]

5. my $0.02

I grew up in the small town south, in the '60's. Back then, you would have gotten a "yes sir", "no sir", "you're welcome, sir", etc because you're a man. Women would have gotten the same, except with ma'am.

Times change. As long as I'm not being cursed at, called names, or otherwise grossly insulted, I'm good. He may have been having a horrible day, too. He was *probably* not trained by his boss exactly how to respond, also.

The front counter people also have to put up with a lot of disrespect and rudeness. One of the worst jobs there is, truly.

[MineralMan]

11. I've done that job, and for $1.25 per hour.

Last edited Mon Nov 3, 2014, 11:27 AM - Edit history (1)

That crap would not have been tolerated.

[steve2470]

14. yea, it's just another generation, MineralMan

I hear what you're saying. I'd prefer a more formal way of dealing with me, but, new generation.

[KMOD]

29. It stood out to Mineral Man, however, because it was not the norm,

2 of my kids are in their 20s, they're both polite when it's a situation that calls for politeness. I wouldn't necessarily say this is the new norm, for the new generation.

[steve2470]

40. My experience with Taco Bell and other places like that is, they are lucky...

to get civil employees. Period. I view it as the default at those places. I long ago gave up on formal polite responses. If you get really polite employees at those places, 1) management is demanding it and 2) they may be getting paid better.

Would I prefer a more formal polite response ? Sure. Apparently In and Out pays well and trains their people to do just that. Good on them.

My son is also very polite, but....he's my son. I raised him that way. So did his mother. The generation who is 18, 19, 20 tend to be pretty relaxed about politeness. I know, I'm around them a fair amount.

Obviously at DU, my perspective is a minority one and is heavily biased by the age of my son. I just don't find it that terribly rude. Not preferable, but not terribly rude.

[KMOD]

42. I'd prefer a "you're" welcome", but I'm also ok with "no problem". "That's OK" is just a bit

strange to me, that's all. Just my opinion.

[laundry_queen]

57. It is strange but there are a lot of new responses to "thank you" I've noticed

especially with younger people. I've heard, "Uh huh" and "sure thing" "No problem" "No worries" "Yup" "Absolutely" "It's nothing". Maybe "that's ok" is a new thing.

"You're welcome" is becoming more rare. It's just a different level of politeness now - much more casual. I hear enough thank yous though from that generation that I don't think not saying "you're welcome" is a politeness thing, so much as a generational change of common language. My mom and dad used to get absolutely apoplectic when I was a teen and my friends said "thanks" instead of "thank you". Now, they don't ever notice the difference.

[KMOD]

62. I agree, language does indeed change over time,

I'm ok with all of the examples you listed, with the exception of "Uh Huh". Both "Uh Huh" and "That's OK" seem, in my opinion, that they're taking the "Thank you" as some sort of apology for interrupting them. That might not be their intent. But it comes across that way to me. The other responses don't imply that subtlety. I'd be fine with any of them.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

96. I have to say, I've gotten out of a lot of those habits myself.

This Halloween, I got a lot of 'thank you's, sometimes prompted by parents, sometimes not, but I probably only said 'you're welcome' about a third of the time, mostly just smiling and nodding.

[deurbano]

164. It's funny you mentioned that. My husband and I traded off the handing out candy duty,

and I noticed he rarely responded, "You're welcome." He would smile and laugh, maybe say "Happy Halloween," but rarely "You're welcome."
He's 58, so it's not a youth thing. (Although he does supervise a lot of younger people at work...so perhaps they are rubbing off on him.) Maybe that response is gradually becoming archaic.

[taught_me_patience]

132. "No problem" is the absolute worst

In my coffee shop, I absolutely forbid my baristas to say "no problem" or "no worries". The customer is not expressing a problem when they say "thank you"!

In my shop, there are only three acceptable responses:

1) (and best) "my pleasure"
2) "your welcome"
3) "thank you" (often followed by "please enjoy&quot

[raccoon]

168. Are you Garrison Keillor? He did a vignette on how he hated "No problem." nt

[Jenoch]

183. I was in an elevator with Kirby Puckett.

I thanked him when he held the door open. He said "No problem, man."

[leftyladyfrommo]

120. The people at my Taco Bell are really friendly.

Sometimes they are a little over the top friendly but even if it's phony it's better than plain rude.

[Arugula Latte]

131. I'm middle aged (not far from 50) and I really dislike the formal way of addressing people.

When someone calls me "ma'am" or "Mrs. ___" it creeps me out. I know they're being polite, but I'm glad that that way of interacting is largely disappearing.

I have a friend who trained her kids to call their friends' parents "Mrs. X" or "Mr. Y" like we did in the 60s/70s and I told her that it just makes me uncomfortable when kids call me anything other than my first name.

Just my personal preference, though.

[MindPilot]

192. there is a BIG difference between then and now

When you and I were collecting minimum wage (I fortunately have lived my entire life so far without having to work fast food, but I have pumped gas which in many ways is probably worse) a single guy could live on it.

You didn't live well, but it paid the bills, kept an old car running, and put beer in the fridge.

And the general public (and media) didn't make such a sport of being assholes to retail workers as they do now.

[NightWatcher]

12. Not being cursed at or insulted is what passes for acceptable customer service for you?

We as a society are setting the bar too low and it's showing in each generation that passes. I must admit that I am guilty of using the oh too casual "no problem" in lieu of 'thank you' too often in passing these days. I do not work, nor have much contact with people I am trying to impress and as a result have let my manners slide a bit.

[steve2470]

16. yea it does at a place like that

Now, you take me to a $150 a couple white tablecloth restaurant, and I'll expect "yes sir".

Let's remember, folks, this guy is, what, 19 ? It's a different generation. If this guy was my age and was like that, I would find that odd.

[YarnAddict]

48. His age isn't an excuse

If he can't smile and be polite because he's underpaid, I'd say his chances of getting a better job are about nil.

[Codeine]

103. I have plenty of young people working under me

and they are all polite, friendly, and helpful to our customers. If they were not they'd be looking for another job, just as I would if I didn't fulfill my responsibilities as an employee.

[MineralMan]

13. He got no rudeness from me. I'm never rude to

working people. Never.

[steve2470]

17. I am sure you were not, and never are

My point stands. We agree to disagree.

on edit: added "and never are".

[freshwest]

47. Yeah, but often the 'rude' follows who was just there, that you don't know.

Oftentimes the bad vibe is from the person just before you and that also goes for online responses. Feigned boredom can be used to hide fears of rejection.

For all you know, he was just told he was being laid off at the end of the day for nothing that he did wrong and he had nothing good to say. If it's a pattern, you may have something to stress about, but you don't know the kid, do you?

I never stress about people unless it's a threat to me or mine. For me, a consumer experience does not have much emotional meaning in the total context of my life, but am always nice to sales personnel, beyond 'Thank You.' Especially to young people as I think they need encouragement nowadays. You might be surprised at the good results I get.

BTW, I'm quite a bit older than you, so please take this in the humorous spirit I intend it to be:

GET OFF MY LAWN!

[RoverSuswade]

49. You just nailed it: disrespect and rudeness.

I work in the hotel industry. We are told no matter how bad the customer treats you you must always smile and apologize. I encountered the rudest customer ever last Tuesday. She made demands I could not accommodate and she threw a big fit. I was trying to make things right but she went on and on browbeating me and trashing our hotel and staff. Astonished guests eating breakfast were staring. Finally I'd had enough. My face got red as a beet and my eyes started watering. She attacked again "now you're getting angry - I will not be treated this way and I'm calling [customer service] on you. ." She asked for keys to her new room and I tossed them in front of her and said curtly "here are your keys." She whipped out her cell phone and called "guest assistance' and proceeded to carve me new a**hole to the lady on the other end. I didn't care. I stood up to rudeness and being talked to like I was a dog. However this will go on unless more service reps are able to treat these horrid people like they are treating "us."
...end of rant....

[steve2470]

55. so sorry to hear that, truly

My son changed my entire attitude to service people. I was always polite but not so sympathetic as I am now. Now I'm very sympathetic AND polite. It's been almost 40 years since I had to do a shitty job like that (the TacoBell one, not yours). Best wishes to you

[Le Taz Hot]

100. I work doing surveys for the Census Bureau

and part of my job is talking people into completing the survey. I find that liberal use of "sir" and "ma'am" will get my foot into the door. It's not unusual for me to encounter REALLY grumpy people, mad at the "gummit" and here I am at their doorstep asking to interview them. Yes, it gets tiresome BUT I knew what I was getting into when I took this job and if people don't have the temperament to work with the public (often bitchy and whiney) then they should find another line of work.

[Fumesucker]

6. That seems to be becoming a common replacement for "you're welcome"

I've noticed that phrase quite a bit, more among younger folks but not entirely.

[steve2470]

10. yep, I think you're right there nt

[Habibi]

15. Yes: "No problem" seems to be

the new "you're welcome." When I did customer service jobs, I would usually respond to a thank you with "Thank you!" because the customer was doing us a favor by shopping/buying our services there. I dunno; is it a lack of training, or a lack of caring?

I must be an old fart, because this "no problem" thing annoys me.

[KMOD]

37. ha. The "no problem" doesn't bother me, but

I would find "that's ok" a little strange. It doesn't personally bother me terribly, but I'd prefer a no problem, over that's ok. Just my opinion.

[taught_me_patience]

135. No problem is the absolute worst response and I hate it to death

because the customer is not expressing a problem! The top answer at my coffee shop is "my pleasure" followed by "you're welcome" or "thank you". "No problem" is absolutely forbidden.

[Habibi]

174. Yeah, it rubs me the wrong way for that reason.

Like, I wasn't aware that my buying a service here might potentially be a problem for you!

[MannyGoldstein]

18. *Your* generation had a bright future ahead

Young adults today have @#$% for a future unless something dramatically changes, it can make for an other-than-chipper disposition. They are roadkill, and they know it.

FWIW, I try to engage young adults in conversation about the need to turn things around, and try to leave big tips. They need our support until we can fix this cluster@#$% that we've allowed to happen

[steve2470]

20. my son is 18, so this whole issue is near and dear to my heart

My son and I were talking last night, and he was complaining about my generation's (and older) grousing about the young folks with "I had to walk uphill to school in snow every day, you have it easy" kind of thing. I countered with, your generation has it WORSE than my generation, and I feel bad for you. He cannot get a full time job, whereas in 1976, I could, pretty easily.

I also try to leave big tips. It pains me to see how hard my son and others of his generation will struggle, just to get by, forget getting rich or even middle-class.

[MannyGoldstein]

25. Our son's a few years younger,

but it's coming like a freight train.

People with college degrees and little future besides cashier and stockroom shifts, working in @#$% conditions for @#$% pay so Wall Street and the Oligarchs can make a few more shekels in a sick game of who-can-die-owning-the-most-stuff".

[steve2470]

43. best wishes to your son ! :) nt

[MannyGoldstein]

50. And to yours!

And to all of these kids!

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

36. Yup.

I read this and thought 'Get off my lawn!'

Until we can leave a generation that can at least expect a life as good as our parents expected, I don't think they've got any reason not to be rude to us. We've screwed them over royally.

[YarnAddict]

51. Really??

We should expect to be treated rudely because their futures suck? Well, maybe their futures suck that much more because they are rude.

I don't do business withh any establishment out of a sense of duty to their employees. Actually, I am doing them a favor, because without customers they wouldn't have jobs. If I am repeatedly treated rudely by their counter people, I would take my business elsewhere.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

64. "maybe their futures suck that much more because they are rude. "

What a dumb comment. Yes, their futures suck because they're rude, it certainly has nothing to do with this country being sold up the river, elections being stolen, and a generation currently coming of age that has seen nothing but war and recession. It's because they're "rude", brilliant analysis, really.

[customerserviceguy]

38. They'll be roadkill if they keep that attitude

With the majority of young people seeming to be so blase about their entry level jobs, it should not be hard for a youthful worker to be seen as the cream of the crop with even a slight elevation of attitude.

[daleanime]

137. "entry level jobs".......

[customerserviceguy]

165. It's an entry to the workforce

Sorry it doesn't pay $30K a year like the ones you're thinking of.

[daleanime]

189. No worries.....

I appreciate the laugh....



I sure you're use to it.

[joshcryer]

46. That's precisely why they won't be voting Nov. 4th.

That whole hope thing, I guess liberals got tired of it.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

95. Hope's a great thing

but you can't just fire up the 'hope' ray when you're out campaigning, then ignore it the rest of the time.

Jam tomorrow is nice, but every once in a while you need jam today.

[joshcryer]

190. If you have three branches of government regulating the jam...

...you are going to have a hard time getting it all the time you want.

It's partially the beauty of Democracy, it's inefficient, and restrictive, and mass change happens slowly. It's also why some on the left would love to have a dictator demand everything at once.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

193. That's the straw part.

'all'.

People who complain aren't complaining because they don't get 'everything' they want. Usually, it's because they're not getting 'anything', especially on the issues they consider most important.

Even back in the race that to this day still riles people up, people who voted for Nader were not demanding Gore give them 'everything' they wanted. They simply wanted at least *one* thing thrown as a bone to the left. Gore didn't bother, and that decision kept him a non-President.

You never have to give anyone 'everything' they want to win elections. But you do have to offer them at least something they consider important.

[Brickbat]

19. Generally, you get what you pay for.

You wouldn't hire that kid, but you paid the person who did. Are you planning on writing a letter to the manager?

[MineralMan]

23. No, I won't bother the manager or owner.

It's not that important. Just an observation.

[yeoman6987]

45. If you want good manners, go to

Chick-Fil-A. However.....some of the owners beliefs are not great, but for a pleasant situation, no business tops it. I rarely go because I always have the desire on Sunday. Lol.

[MineralMan]

26. Actually, I visit that Taco Bell fairly often.

That's not the norm there at all. I know several employees there by name, and they're almost always cheerful and friendly there. Not the norm.

[KMOD]

32. I posted something similar upthread, without seeing this. I agree, I don't think it's the new norm.

[vanlassie]

21. That would NEVER happen at In N Out .

And they employ a lot of 19 year old kids. No, I will NOT minimize the poor service as. "A different generation." The only difference is that the owners of certain establishments don't give a crap about good service. If they did, they would pay to train their managers to train their employees AND make sure it happened. The owners are 100% responsible for this decline in civil behavior. As long as they get their money, I assume.
I go to In N Out if I want fast good.

[zappaman]

22. Very true.

They also pay better.
And, of corse, have the best burgers.
Double double animal style no tomato with chopped chiles please!

[MannyGoldstein]

27. "Why Does In-N-Out Pay So Well?"

Why Does In-N-Out Pay So Well?

In an industry that tends to treat their workers as they do their animals, the California-based burger chain is in a class of its own. While most fast food restaurants pay their workers under $8 an hour -- with Taco Bell, not so surprisingly, coming in dead last at $7.37 an hour -- In-N-Out starts their employees at $10.50 an hour. That's the highest of any fast food chain in the country, and second place isn't even all that close. (Chipotle clocks in at that runner-up position with $8.53 an hour.)

And the higher-than-average pay doesn't stop simply at the young workers manning the cash registers. While the median wage for a manager of a fast food store is $48,000 per year, employees at In-N-Out can eventually work themselves up to $120,000. That's otherwise unheard of in the industry. Oh yeah: They also give vision, medical, and dental benefits to both their full- and part-time workers

[vanlassie]

58. YOU CAN GET CHOPPED CHILES???

I had no idea!

[zappaman]

59. Discovered it last year!

Yes, they have a yellow sport pepper you can ask for....handed out like a ketchup packet.
But you can also ask that they chop them and throw them on your burger.
Sooooooo good!

[vanlassie]

60. Thanks!

[zappaman]

138. Let me know what you think!

I'm lucky/unlucky enough to have an In 'n' Out up the street.

[vanlassie]

139. Funny thing... Me too! I get one almost every weekend. I'll give it a try. I was just thinking

about it, as a matter if fact. Yep it's a blessing and a curse to have so close by!

[Mosby]

166. In and Out burger is easily the most overated burger in America

But I do think that if you don't live in a big city one might think they are great so Ill just leave it at that.

[zappaman]

167. Oh, there are better burgers

I could rattle off a good 2 dozen off the top of my head.
But, when it comes to "fast food" they are at or near the top of the list.

[MineralMan]

24. None of those in MN.

I do patronize them in my old state of CA when I'm there, though. You're right.

[randome]

30. Agree with that. Bored, listless teenagers need a leader at their first job.

If they don't have it, they tend to stay bored and listless.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]No squirrels were harmed in the making of this post. Yet.[/center][/font][hr]

[ancianita]

28. Taco Bell just came out with an app for pre-ordering your tacos.

This will definitely eliminate jobs. Maybe that had something to do with his attitude.

Or maybe he's preoccupied with serious problems. When I get that treatment (more than I'd like) I tend to think a young person just doesn't like old people.

Something's changed about the meaning of manual labor, as if there's no dignity or joy to be had in doing a good job in the service world. I don't get it. If it's drudgery, then don't do it. But at least try common courtesy with people. I learned early in life to tackle any job with energy and good cheer.

The owner of my local sushi place, Salvatore, says he can't get serious, good help -- even with the University of Chicago and lots of unemployed people nearby.

Unless these jobs truly don't pay the bills. Unless service workers can't imagine themselves in other lines of work. Unless, even if they imagine and plan, there's no way to afford to learn new skills.

Perhaps raising the federal minimum wage would raise service workers' spirits.

[MineralMan]

31. Minnesota recently raised the minimum wage.

I worked a minimum wage job at that age, too. I learned stuff doing it. Customer service was one of the things I learned.

[ancianita]

35. I think you and I lived in a work world, then, that still offered more wide ranging opportunity.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

41. heh.

Admittedly, I've asked kids to get off my lawn, but only because it tends to send the dogs into barking fits, and one of them shreds the curtain in the living room window when she gets going. So kids on my lawn actually ends up costing me money replacing curtains. If it didn't annoy the dogs, I could care less.

[scarystuffyo]

34. Not making an excuse for him but

it could have been a lot things.


Maybe he was trying to join the military and had found out today he can't because of a medical reason
Maybe that was his chance of going to college

Maybe his mother or another family member was diagnosed with something serious

Maybe his girlfriend left him that he loved a lot

Or he could just be a jerk but just interacting with him just that one time , maybe you just picked the wrong time

for him and you

[Louisiana1976]

39. I wonder how bored and rude that kid would be if he were earning $20 an hour. That's what fast

food workers in Denmark earn. Maybe if he were earning much more than $7.50 an hour he'd have a better attitude.

[YarnAddict]

52. Rate of pay is no excuse

for rudeness.

[daleanime]

109. But it sure is for picking your target....

Last edited Mon Nov 3, 2014, 12:25 PM - Edit history (1)

how about for a change why don't you start at the top and work your way down?

[brewens]

53. At my blood center job we have people dealing with donors that have no customer service skills.

Someone really needs their ass chewed over it but I'd say maybe a little higher up. So you have kids that at least went through a phlebotomy class and some related work experience. They never had a customer service type job where they needed to excell at that. They have no clue. It's something we really lack in training.

I've had (kids usually) drawing blood tell donors things they have no need to know. I saw the same thing in the restaraunt business. My strategy was that business is always good when talking to anyone. We may have been dead all morning, some customers walk in an the place is totally empty. If they ask, "we had a pretty good rush there a little earlier, you timed it right, we just got everything caught up!" Not, "oh yeah, it's dead, no one ever eats here". If it's not going good and you tell them that, it's likely to stay that way. Better to tell donors it's going pretty well but we still need quite a few more.

[GusBob]

56. what kind of business do you run?

How many employees have you hired or fired or had work for you?

[JEB]

65. He should have warned you that a diet like that

is a recipe for heart disease.

[Warpy]

66. Maybe Emo Kid was at the end of a long shift

and his replacement hadn't turned up yet.

Who knows? I know if it's a shitty job for shitty pay, I cut them some slack.

[Reter]

67. What did he say that was so bad?

"That's ok" probably just means "your welcome" in young speak. When I was a waiter around 14 years ago, I greeted a table by saying "How ya doing today guys?" One man pointed to his wife and said in an angry voice "this is not a guy!" The old fart didn't realize that my generation (Xers) calls everyone guys.

[Warpy]

69. I think it was likely his lack of enthusiasm

for landing and keeping a job by schmoozing the customers.

I'm sorry you got slammed by an old fart from Bizarro World. Either his shoes were pinching him or his underwear was riding up or maybe he and his wife had been bickering, who knows? You just got in the way.

That happened to me a lot when I was a nurse, just getting in the way of somebody's bad mood.

[WinkyDink]

68. I got the "bored," didn't read any "rude." You expected enthusiasm?

[Starry Messenger]

71. Old people are rude to me constantly.

Guess they should eat cat food. That'll show them.

[bigwillq]

72. Guess you had to be there.

I don't get rude or bored out of a "That's OK", but I guess I had to be there.

As long as they give me the correct food and change, I really don't care if they say anything to me at all.

[flvegan]

74. Hold on...

You ordered six items (all sounding like not sides...like fries or something) handed over $8, got change and expected more? Wow.

At any rate, at the end of the transaction, things were left that you got your food and you'd not hire this kid as things stood now. Okay, fair enough. But then, I didn't know you owned a taco stand and were looking to hire.

Come on, man...benefit of the doubt. I get being put off, but lets not write the guy off altogether based on this. At the other side of every transaction, good or bad, is another human. We don't know his/her deal or what they've been through today.

[nomorenomore08]

172. Thank you.

[KMOD]

181. That's OK

sorry, just had to

[nomorenomore08]

184. No worries.

[Prophet 451]

75. You pay peanuts, you get monkeys

For minimum wage and no benefits, you';re lucky he wasn't openly hostile.

[pa28]

77. I seem to recall you've scolded people for posting trivial things in GD before.

Is there a larger point?

[UglyGreed]

81. LOL he scolded

me about posting my health problems and asking DU how they would feel if they were treated by their doctor the way I was treated. Then he accused me of ageism because I posted an article about the Boomers putting the down the Millenniums even though I did not even endorse the article. Guess that article hit too close to home.

[pa28]

82. Yeah. Sounds like business as usual for this guy.

[UglyGreed]

110. He writes very well

it's a shame he chooses to bitch about the cost of ink cartridges and so called poor treatment at fast food restaurants.

It is funny though, I can not whine about my doctor accepting calls from his wife to discuss dinner plans right in front of me while I'm moments away from tossing my cookies. It is what it is I guess.

[morningfog]

108. It's just his regular grumpy old man bit.

Which itself is old, trivial and not relevant to GD.

[ZombieHorde]

78. You don't know that person's situation.

He could have just broke up with his lover, he might be worried about a relative, he might be in pain. What good does judging that person do you?

[mucifer]

101. I was gonna post that. I totally agree.

[UglyGreed]

112. + 1000 N/T

[NBachers]

79. I had the exact opposite experience this evening

I have a friend named Mandy, who likes to try interesting places offered by Groupon. This evening, we drove down from San Francisco to a coastside restaurant - pub called Cameron's in Half Moon Bay. I'd never heard of the place before.

From the moment we walked in the door, a high-school kid named Jason and his kid brother became our best friends. They had no "groupon attitude," and walked us through the restaurant and ordering process, and made us feel welcome and at home. They told us about the history of the place, pointed out interesting features, and engaged us with friendship and excellent service. They seemed to genuinely enjoy spending time with us, and we left knowing that we'll be back. I will make Cameron's Inn one of my day trip destinations.

http://cameronsinn.com/

Maybe it's the difference between a corporate slaughterhouse, and a quirky family-owned local pub. Maybe it's just one kid's way versus another kid's way. But you know what? I have the same wishes for a bright future and a life full of joy for both kids.

What have your other experiences been at this Taco Bell, Mineral Man; since you apparently go there enough to have a "usual order?"

What will your experience be next time you go there?

But I know what you mean. I get resentful when I'm treated that way in my business day, too.

[MineralMan]

111. That particular Taco Bell, which is the closest one to my house,

is generally a very friendly place. And yes, that's my usual order. What happens a lot there is that I come in and place my order and by the time I get the receipt someone is handing me a bag with my food in it. A lot of the people working there speak Spanish, so I speak Spanish in my conversations with them.

From time to time, there's an extra taco in the bag or something else. I get along well with everyone who works there, generally.

From time to time, I'm reminded of a small shop in a small town in England that I visited one time. I bought something there, but can't remember what it was. When I went to the cash register, I got, "Did you find what you were looking for?" Then, when I handed over my money, I got, "Thank you very much." After getting my change, there was another "Thank you very much." I responded with, "Thank you very much as well."

It was almost as though the person working there was glad that I came in an patronized the business. Odd, huh?

[UglyGreed]

80. Really????

Was this worth writing about??? Is this the dreaded ageism rearing it's ugly head????

[UglyGreed]

191. at

least I have the guts to respond to those who criticize me. I myself have always respected those who are older than me. And you know what? older people have always enjoyed my company. Ageism is as ugly as greed and I do not reflect either one at all. Carry on.

[LeftyMom]

83. How much enthusiasm is one supposed to muster for such a job?

There's something to be said for doing even a mundane job well, but it's Taco Bell. Even if that kid decides to be the best damned burrito maker and cashier on planet earth, he's still going to be making barely edible food that won't be visibly changed when it splatters against porcelain in an hour.

Then again, maybe he was cranky because some cranky old man was looking down his nose at him? If he seems cheerier next time be suspicious of what's in your food.

[Shankapotomus]

84. I imagine a lot of those kids

are basically "forced" by their parents into those jobs and feel close to modern slaves.

I discovered a little humor (sometimes self-deprecating) or maybe a compliment makes them feel better about the whole exchange and they usually respond positively. Sometimes a certain job may represent a lose of dignity or control to a person.

I was and still am polite today (most of the time), so I get where you're coming from, but sometimes I wonder if all I really was was obedient.

Edit: on second thought, no, I'm naturally a gentleman.

[pansypoo53219]

85. you go paid better.

[djean111]

86. My grandson works in the Deli department of a large and really nice grocery store.

First job, saving for college because he does not want any student debt.

He has been called retarded, deaf, insulted, an asshole because he would not box up fried chicken breasts and charge for wings, one woman lunged over the counter and tried to slap him because her order of wings would take another 10 minutes. She was escorted out.

Everything that happens in the Deli is recorded, because there really are some asshole lying customers who are always trying to get stuff for free.. People change their mind about what they ordered and lie about it. People get their order, then go to the other side of the store and complain to customer service, because they will then get their food for free. Management reviews the recordings, and no one has ever been reprimanded, customers just lie. Management can also observe what is going on from an upstairs window; it is sort of like working in a casino .

This is in an upper middle class neighborhood. He said a particularly rude crowd - the people who stop in after church on Sunday. Act as if the deli workers are not quite human, at times. The rudeness cuts across class and race. But sometimes he meets some really nice people, too.

He is supposed to smile through it all for $9 an hour, 17-28 hours a week. And he does, but he told me he never thought that some people would just be so rude and demeaning to other human beings. He is 19, and this is quite an education for him, dealing with the public for the first time.
Sometimes it gets to the workers. He will come out of the store at the end of a shift with slumped shoulders, not because he was working in a hot greasy dangerous kitchen for six hours, but because some people just are nasty and it is depressing.
The bright spot - anyone who lasts a year in the Deli - and most of the other employees will not work there, it is too stressful - has quite a good item on their resume.

[Fumesucker]

93. The "after church crowd" truly sucks, absolute worst time of the week to work a service job

Not only are they often mean spirited they are also remarkably cheap, I've seen them leave a religious tract as the only "tip" in very busy restaurant after taking up an eight top for two hours while running the wait staff ragged with one picky request after another.

The most entitled and vicious group of customers we ever saw.

[hobbit709]

87. Taco Bell is food?

[RandiFan1290]

88. Looks like a freeper post to me.

[MineralMan]

114. What a strange thing to say.

[MadrasT]

91. I wouldn't even have given this a second thought.

Doesn't seem especially remarkable or bothersome to me.

[justiceischeap]

92. All the kids at my local taco hell are super polite

I make sure to say please and thank you and if they ask, "How are you?" I reply and ask them back. They're always shocked when I do and thank me for asking. It's usually the adults that are less pleasant there.

I personally go out of my way to be super polite to service workers. It's a shit job and they provide a service that makes my life easier, which I'm very appreciative of.

[BubbaFett]

94. You should have offered to switch places with him

you know, walk a mile in someone else's shoes.

If I was a young person in this job market, you'd be lucky if they didn't spit in your food too.

[99Forever]

97. Go figger.

A whole class of workers should live on slave wages because MM didn't like the attitude of one kid.

Why am I not surprised?

[fishwax]

98. bored doesn't really bother me from fast food workers

It's not always an exciting gig. Not cause for rudeness, of course, but I don't see a nontraditional response to thank you as necessarily rude.

There is a fair amount of nostalgia in this thread, but in spite of the service with a smile one always sees in commercials, I doubt that the bored service worker is a recent development.

[Le Taz Hot]

99. They don't train them in how to deal with customers,

only which buttons to press and how to read the board. I managed people for over 30 years and I always taught customer service skills AND phone skills. For example, when I worked retail, I'd teach them if you're really busy, you're the only one there and the phone rings, explain to the in-store customer that you are the only one there, that you are sorry but you have to answer the phone long enough to put them on hold and EXCUSE YOURSELF. When you answer the phone ask them, "Can you hold please?" AND WAIT FOR THE ANSWER! Don't just put them on hold. Ninety-nine out of a hundred times people will say, "yes." If they can't hold, ask if they can take down the name and phone number and ask if you can all them back when you're free. When you do put them on hold, when you get back to them say, "Thank you for holding, how may I help you?"

Bad customer service ends me as a customer at that establishment.

I don't care what the people above are saying (It's all about ME ME!) customer service skills are just as essential as any skills in the working world. I've gotten jobs (early in my working career) BECAUSE of my customer service skills. One never knows what will get you the job and those customer service/phone skills could tip the balance in your favor.

[DrDan]

102. it's the manager's fault, not the kid's

The manager should be VERY specific about how to address customers, not assume a young employee knows.

I would have taken this directly to the manager. I have in the past. I was in a Food Lion several years ago. The clerk at checkout had absolutely NO greeting for me - no smile, no greeting, nothing. I got home and sent an email to every exec I could find stating if I was not going to be acknowledged at their stores, I would not acknowledge their existence as I went grocery shopping. No response. However, that store closed 6 months later. I have NO doubt other customers felt the same way.

[KurtNYC]

104. If you don't like dealing with people you perceive as rude then you should be glad

YOU aren't the one behind the counter because that is what the job entails. People are hungry and tired and "the customer is never wrong." You put one little slice of tomato on a taco that asked for 'no tomato' and you may be responsible for a coronary. Some people feel entitled to treat fast food workers like over the smallest things.

Next to having food thrown at you, being screamed at, having drinks thrown back at you through the drive thru window, being robbed, being threatened, anonymous phone threats (because the order was wrong), having customers throw their extra food and wrappers on the floor on purpose, and being forced to work off the clock after 8 hours (so they don't have to pay overtime), "That's OK" doesn't even register.

Water off a duck. You can't hang on to these things. Lower expectations might help -- that is a human being behind the counter. Working there for the money and because they scheduled him to work at that time. If he got your order right and gave you the right change then 95% of his job was done correctly. He could finish the transaction with 'thank you' no matter how he feels but that's a training issue. Personally I prefer that people keep it real rather than give me a canned "have a nice day" or "thank you" or anything they aren't feeling.

The perceived rudeness of cashiers comes nowhere close to the rudeness of some customers (or non-customers):

[daleanime]

106. Thank you....

can't even stomach most of the responses.

[RedCappedBandit]

134. +1

[daleanime]

105. Here we go again....

Yes, you deserve better service.

Yes, no matter how little pay, benefits, or respect the workers get, they should always to their best.

But why do we hold those who get the least to higher standards then anyone else?





Some times the question is the answer.

[Bluenorthwest]

107. I used to eat Taco Bell but a week ago I went to our local Bell for a friend

I walked in and said 'Hi Robin!' and Robin said 'Where have you been, L.A.?' and I told her about my current diet restrictions, placed my friend's order, Halloween came up....

Personally, I think of 'that's ok' or 'that's cool' as a form of 'you're welcome'. Casual and not professionally sound, but nevertheless . Some languages don't really say 'You are welcome' they say 'eh, don't mention it' or 'no problem' or 'it's nothing'. I say 'thank you' and NJ says ' forget about it'. This is not Victorian England.

[Aerows]

143. It totally depends on where you are.

If you said "Thank you" and received a "No Problem" or a "That's OK" in say, the Deep South or a more privileged area, it's offensive because the people there should know better. The managers in that area also should know better enough to instruct employees on how to respond properly to customers.

"You have a wonderful day!" said with a smile can be the nicest thing anyone says to said person on either side of the counter all day, and it contributes to a more healthy society over all. That said, you have to be the change you want to see in the world, so I do my best to encourage it in all my interactions (unless I have reason to become less civil).

[Bluenorthwest]

156. I live in cities, people come from all over the place.

Personally, I think it is nice when people use less formal terms. I've had my fill of obsequious suck ups and ill intended yes sirs. I mean, you have no idea.
But then for me, the idiom or phrase or manner of speech of anyone I encounter is something of a gift, if I am privileged to hear a person speak as they would naturally speak and they speak in a way I would not this is greatly useful to me. I value that moment very much.

I came back to add a link to a list of words for thanks/you're welcome in various languages. For English, they list the following: You're welcome, Don't mention it, My pleasure, No problem, No probs, Not a problem, No worries and No big deal.
http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/thankyou.htm

[Aerows]

157. We are all different

I'm glad you have that gift and treasure it .

[blackcrowflies]

195. "You have a wonderful day!"

That means absolutely nothing. It's a rote statement that's idiotic.

[LanternWaste]

113. It's a tough old world when fast-food tacos are served with boredom and complacency...

It's a tough old world when fast-food tacos are served with boredom and complacency...

[nomorenomore08]

175. ...

[otohara]

115. If You Breathed Taco Hell 8 Hrs A Day

and worked for Pepsi Co for hardly any money, no insurance - attitude might not be up to par.

[MineralMan]

117. Oddly enough, everyone else in the store is really

friendly. I didn't say anything to the kid or to anyone else. I just thought it was unusual.

[JEB]

116. Sorry you didn't get your serving

of fake servitude and obedience.

[MineralMan]

118. That's funny. My experiences in that particular place are

almost always just fine. I mentioned this because it was different from the usual thing.

[JEB]

119. The kid was probably being honest and transparent.

We've become accustomed to the verbal grooming (no matter how fake or contrived) when patronizing corporate businesses. I am struck by the shallowness of this as compared to the very real appreciation of small owner operated businesses.

[NM_Birder]

122. fast food worker attitude,

has been the best thing for my health in a long time.

The more I started paying attention to my own pre-programmed "order, pay, leave" at over the counter restaurants, I started paying attention to how little common courtesy, minimal effort, lack of eye contact and barely aware attitude some fast food employees display, the more easy they made it for me to go elsewhere, and even start bringing lunch from home.

The cost of fast food crap, the lack of interest by the employees, and the ridiculous amount of time I wasted in lines waiting for crap in a paper bags to be arrogantly shoved at me thru the window, sometimes not even bothering to look me in the eye has been the motivational kick I needed. Instead of eating fast food for lunch every day, I'm down to once maybe twice at most. I have more energy, less lunchtime disappointment, and spend HALF what I used to on lunches.

I thank the poor attitude of some fast food workers, they have improved my health and saved me a few pennies.

[Xyzse]

121. Everybody has off days.

I don't take things personally with anything.

Guy could be dealing with other things at the same time.

I tend to base my dealings with places as follows:

-Did they get my order right?
-Was the service done in a modicum of efficiency?

If yes on both counts, then that's all I tend to expect in such places.

[dilby]

124. When you pay Minimum Wage you get Minimum Effort.

The employee knows there is no reason to put effort into his job because they can walk out that door and get another minimum wage on another corner. If a business wants the best they need to pay for the best and that would be a decent salary and health insurance. Burgerville here in the Pacific Northwest is known for being a super expensive McDonalds but it also pays better wages and offers health insurance for part time employees who work 25 hours a week. The company picks up 90% of the insurance cost and has a low deductible. When they put this into place they noticed employees worked harder and their turnover rate dropped dramatically. So next time you are in the Pacific Northwest please eat at a Burgerville yeah the cost is incredible but that is the cost one pays to support a better system.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB125149100886467705?KEYWORDS=%22burgerville%22&mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB125149100886467705.html%3FKEYWORDS%3D%2522burgerville%2522

[Orrex]

125. You should have him fired and his wages garnished retroactive to his hire-date.

Perhaps he can be branded with a scarlet "A" for Apathy.

[Orsino]

127. As long as the service is good enough to keep you coming back...

...that Taco Bell will not train or pay its staff for any better behavior. Taco Bell is suppised to ge cheap.

[blackcrowflies]

129. This is what worries you about the world?

You must have a blessed life.

[RedCappedBandit]

133. Maybe..

he had a shitty day, was treated like shit by a bunch of shitty customers, all for shitty pay, and didn't have any energy left to enthusiastically say you're welcome in a manner which would have pleased you.

I'm sure while you may have been polite most of the time in your twenties you still had some bad moments where someone thought you were being rude even if you didn't intend to be. Shit happens; people who serve you are.. human. Who the hell wouldn't sometimes get bored working the register at taco bell?

Most of the people I encounter seem to respond to a nice smile. I don't care if they're energetic or excited to hand me my change and I'm certainly not going to judge them if they're not.

[Rex]

140. I don't let petty little things like that affect me emotionally.

Such a tiny nothing issue, probably by the time I sat down - it would be long forgotten.

[MineralMan]

146. It didn't affect me emotionally.

I just posted something that happened. It's odd that it has so many replies, I think.

I said nothing to the kid. I said nothing to anyone at the time. Maybe you'd have had to be there. I don't know. It was just odd and slightly annoying. It's also not typical of that particular place. I came in smiling and left not smiling.

So, I posted it to see what people thought. I heard what people thought. And there it is.

One DUer even said that it sounded like a Freeper post. Now, that's an odd comment.

[Rex]

160. I only eat at Toxic Smells when I want a cheap enema.

Yeah don't get the freeper post comment either, that was stupid imo.

[Aerows]

142. If I'm starving

and two bean burritos are coming my way, along with 2 crunchy taco supremes, I don't care what response I get as long as I get a bunch of Hot sauce to go with them.

Seriously, he was rude, but despite the fact that I was raised with Southern manners (and believe me, they get ingrained into you very quickly) some kids are raised to say "No Problem" or "That's OK" because they don't know any better.

You have to know the circumstances to say "You're Welcome" and understand the value of saying it before you do it. Some just don't know any better MineralMan, and I can't tell you how to correct it short of taking the chance and saying "Hey, you know, the proper response to thank you is you are welcome", and using copious examples of it in my own behavior in public.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

144. Wow, a real life grumpy old man, folks.

I bet that kid probably hit his baseball onto your lawn, too.

[Aerows]

145. It really isn't

It's good manners to say "You're welcome" and not just grunt out "no problem" or "that's okay" like you are doing the person a favor. You're welcome means, "I was glad to do this for you" instead of "Damn, you are a burden asking me to do my job, but hey, I did it anyway."

That's the difference between the two.

Manners never go out of style, and are always welcome.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

147. Don't get me wrong, I always appreciate good customer service.

But to write some sort of internet diatribe simply because a minimum wage worker at a fast food joint said "That's okay" nonchalantly instead of an enthusiastic "You're welcome, good sir!"?

Pure silliness.

[MineralMan]

149. What "diatribe" did you read?

I didn't write one. I wrote a brief account of something that happened.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

150. I'm sorry.

Grouse, kvetch, whine, moan?

[MineralMan]

151. Anecdote.

That's what I posted, an anecdote.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

153. Clearly, Vincent.

[Ash_F]

152. I'd be pissed if I worked at Taco Bell too

Some people are just not meant for service and should be working back of the house, or in other industries.

I do not even frequent places like Taco Bell anymore, because of the way they abuse their workers.

That is not to say smaller establishments will not screw their workers either. It is rampant. People will get away with what you allow them to. And we allow owners to get away with a lot.

[F4lconF16]

158. Speakig as a member of the younger generation

This OP kinda pisses me off.

First off, that kid is working for shit wages, at a shit job, with little to no hope for anything better. Turnover is high and in those jobs, you're never really sure if you're going to be around long. He knows he'll never get a raise without being promoted and the chances of that are not high. To top that, if he does get promoted, he's now making only slightly less shitty wages (possibly--he may not even get that) and still working a pretty shitty job. His employer (Taco Bell, not necessarily the manager) doesn't care if it's him or any other of thousands of people that are desparate for any source of income, no matter how crappy. So he has no motivation to be polite in the first place, even if he should be. So yeah, it sucks that he didn't give you a proper thank you. You know what? Life sucks a lot worse for him, and there's very little he can do about it. When he's making $15 an hour, then maybe your displeasure will be more than just complaining.

Second, you have no idea what his day has been like. Maybe he's stressed because despite working two jobs, he can't make rent this month. Maybe he's about to be laid off. Maybe he just broke up with his partner. Maybe the customer before you was a complete jerk, and got chewed out by his manager despite doing what he could. Customer service jobs suck. Think about all the right-wing assholes who like to bully people who they have any sort of power over. Now imagine having to deal with them, all day every day, and getting blamed for anything that goes wrong because of them. As another poster said, keep going after someone who's below the poverty line, working a crappy job dealing with crappy people because he didn't respond quite politely enough for your liking. It reflects really well on you.

Third, this is ridiculous. He said "That's okay" when you said thank you, and you feel compelled to go "wtf?" and then complain about him. Yes, a "you're welcome" would have been more polite. Maybe he just heard you wrong--I know I've done it in my job working the front desk at a hotel. It's easy to be paying attention to what you're doing at the register or computer and miss what the customer said, or simply make a mistake and say the wrong thing. It's not a big deal. I gotta say, I wish my life was easy enough that this is what I would find to complain about.

Fourth, as many other posters have mentioned, language changes. Yeah, I agree, "That's okay" is a weird response to a "thank you". But it's in the same vein as "No problem", which is exceedingly common now. I hear it all the time, and it seems to have replaced "You're welcome". Though I try to avoid it, I find myself saying it occasionally. It's part of the way my generation talks. To go after the guy because he didn't respond just the way you wanted him to, again, is ridiculous.

I would like to say that my response here might seem a little over the top per your OP. But it's also your responses that show that you feel entitled to excellent service with little to no thought about or empathy towards the worker. It's something I expect from conservatives--it's a very self-centered worldview. Sad, really.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

161. Exactly!

"you feel entitled to excellent service with little to no thought about or empathy towards the worker."

[steve2470]

163. my son is near your age, younger I think

I don't envy my son (except for having the youthful body lol). He works two part-time jobs in kitchens, so he does not have to deal with the public directly. He usually has half a day off, but not a full day off every week, forget about two full days off in a row. He has gotten some raises already, so he's doing something right. He has to share a two bedroom apartment with two other people, which is fine.

When I see young people these days at service jobs, I think of my son, always. I feel for them. My son has good prospects for his future, so he's hopeful. A lot of young people don't have as much hope. I wish you well.

[F4lconF16]

188. I am lucky enough to only have to work part time for now

Though that may change by the end of this year. Hopefully, though, I will be able to finish school before working full time. I'm considering getting another job in the meantime, as I need to save what I can for when what we have now runs out.

Glad to hear that your son got a raise. I'm thankful I'm in Seattle and my wage is $11.50 an hour. It makes a huge difference. Sounds like your son is doing well, though. Having hope for the future makes all the difference in these entry level jobs. I would absolutely hate what I do if I knew I'd be stuck there for years and years. We really need a $15.00 country-wide minimun wage. Too many people aren't as lucky as your son and I, and even for us life is risky.

Thanks, and I wish you the best

[Oilwellian]

186. It's not over the top

You must realize you're responding to someone who chose to be a member of Free Republic before migrating here. That should tell you all you need to know.

[Butterbean]

162. I guess I'm just desensitized or have low expectations or something.

I don't really expect chipper, friendly service at fast food places, like...ever. I expect mediocre service at best, and when I get pleasant, polite service, I am kind of surprised (pleasantly), truth be told.

His response wouldn't have ruffled my feathers at all, but it DEFINITELY would have ruffled my mom's feathers. Maybe it's a generational thing? I'm gen X, mom is a baby boomer.

[raccoon]

173. And this belongs on GD? No rec for this one. nt

[raging moderate]

176. I like the idea of tipping the fast food workers.

I always hand 40 - 60 cents to the server and say, "This is for you. And I hope you get that minimum wage raise." I understand that their wage has lagged worse than it has for the rest of us. God forbid that I should sponge off these struggling young people. My children are raised, and my life is almost over. I remember how my feet throbbed with pain after every shift at my waitress job forty-five years ago. I WANT things to be better for them. What I do only makes up the difference from what the current price and what the fast food SHOULD cost. And I wouldn't mind paying it, if it went to the actual workers.

[djean111]

177. Actually, to me, "that's okay" just meant it was not necessary for you to thank him,

as he was doing his job.
I do have a problem with the ubiquitous "no problem", it seems weird to me - usually it gets used in a situation where the only problem possible is if the person saying it would have been inconvenienced by doing their job.
It is sort of like that non-apology thing some people use - "I am sorry if you were offended by my offensive remark".

[lunasun]

178. The world is filled with clueless assholes . I always think this is why you are working here

Then I get what should be normal service transaction and am neutral I should appreciate those folks more.
When I get above and beyond service with a smile I am the opposite and think you shouldn't be working here you have actual people skills & deserve better. But sometimes those are the ones who stay the longest. Maybe they need the money more than mopey kids living at home but also
gonna guess the low end ones are job hoppers too perhaps never stAying anywhere too long and become even less unhireable

One just left a place I frequent after a short stint of rude bored boy and I mentioned he was gone to another employee .

He smiled and said yes he is gone . I told him I was happy too !
No excuse these types are usually trouble to coworkers too . Heard it too many times.

If you think they are rude to you imagine how they are to the coworkers you usually try your Spanish skills with that you mentioned.
The could care less ones usually offer equal rudeness to all

[rug]

179. "Whaddya want?"

The only thing I believe is the bean burritos.

[MineralMan]

180. I believe in bean burritos as well.

Their emanations are a sacramental verity.

[rug]

187. The emanations in this story are not from sacraments.

Bad dialogue ruins even good fiction.

[ohnoyoudidnt]

182. Maybe he was having a bad day.

A bored "That's okay" doesn't bother me, especially from someone making minimum wage, which is worth a lot less today than when you earned it.

[nomorenomore08]

185. That's probably how I would react as well. Just think "Must be having a bad day" and then

forget all about it.