Customer Service: Where Did it Go?

I walk into the store, there is the soft scent of fresh lilacs and I can barely hear some instrumental music in the background. A nicely dressed clerk smiles and nods at me, but lets me look around at my leisure. I can tell she is paying attention to me, I catch a glimpse of her now and then, watching me. At some indefinable point, she decides I need her services and she's right. How did she know that? She greets me and graciously answers my questions, finds my sizes and colors and treats me as if I were royalty.

Yeah, it's a dream. I open my eyes and I'm in Mega Mart, music blaring, babies crying, the smell of fried chicken permeating every pore of my being. Shopping carts crash into the cart corral, cash registers bleep and beep. There are no clerks anywhere to be found - oops, there are two of them over there, but they escape before I can get to them. I shop, always keeping my eyes open for a clerk...ah-ha! I found one, and actually got to speak to her...

"Hi - I'm looking for this in red and a size 12. Do you have that in stock?"

"Uh.... I just started here today, I dunno....." she shrugs and walks away uncertainly.

What happened to customer service? Where did it go? Maybe it disappeared with the jobs that paid a living wage. Which brings up another question. Are you only polite and helpful if you're paid enough money?

There are so many people looking for work now. Jobs are hard to find, and hard to keep. Companies are hiring less people to do the same amount of work. Why are they hiring the ones that dress sloppy, have no manners or knowledge about the products they handle? Are they all the boss' nephews?

Don't Human Resource Departments go through a hiring process anymore? Do they pay attention to what applicants wear to their interview, how they speak or handle themselves? Why is it ok to wear 37 piercings in your face, sport unnaturally dyed hair and odd makeup, yet end up working in the cosmetics department of your local Mega Mart? That person doesn't know anything about cosmetics!

Are there any dress codes anymore? Do you even have to be wearing clean clothes to work anymore?

My wish and hope for Americans is that they begin to take pride in their appearance, their abilities and their jobs. It doesn't matter what the job is, you have to do it to the best of your ability. It doesn't matter what your boss does or doesn't do - you are responsible for your own position. Go the extra mile, extend yourself a teeny tiny bit and do a Great job.

Let's lose the complacency. Always, be friendly, kind and informative. Make it your job (pun intended) to know everything there is to know about your department or your position. Observe, ask and study. Be helpful, especially if you deal with the public.

Can you imagine how different this world would be if we all took that attitude at work? We'd have less frustration built up by the end of the day. Just a few friendly smiles and helpful person can make a HUGE difference in the lives of people.

I double dog dare you to try it.