Shop assistants who don't bl**dy listen

JReacher1

Naf wrote: »

Sort of. As someone who has worked on McDonalds' counter, maybe I can help; because I would probably have asked the same question as this particular cashier if I'm honest.
What different people mean by 'plain' varies A LOT. I have had customers order 'a plain double cheeseburger' and expect one of:

• two patties and a bun
• two patties, cheese, and a bun
• two patties and ketchup, and bun
• two patties, cheese, ketchup, and bun
• the double cheeseburger as it comes (i.e. 'plain' meaning 'normal')

That person behind the counter has absolutely no idea which of these you might mean, nor how much of a scene you may cause if you don't get the one you were imagining. Believe me, its much preferable to just make sure exactly what the customer means at the point of ordering, than it is dealing with a problem afterwards.
The added issue is that the name of the sandwich is the 'Quarter Pounder With Cheese", so asking for it plain is generally used to mean that the cheese stays on (believe me, that's the most common way that customers expect it). The Big Mac is ambiguous, as plain without cheese is basically a double hamburger; but is plain with cheese really plain, as cheese isn't specified in the name.

Great post.

McDonald's are always a sensetive subject on this board as lots of posters like to abuse both the food and the staff who work there e.g as this thread has seen with references like Mc!!!!!.

However in my experience it's always been a decent dining experience. Not haute cuisine but it does what it says on the menu :-)

sparkychris

Azari wrote: »

That reminds me of those signs you used to see before smoking was banned in indoor public spaces: 'Thank you for not smoking'.

I almost wished I smoked so that I could smoke in front of one of one and, if (when) challenged, simply say: 'That does not apply to me".

I just woke my poorly OH up laughing at this! In stitches, here!

pawsies

Some posters are so rude and derogatory towards staff!!

Absolutely crazy.

I am so glad our customers are on the whole very nice.

Hedgehog99

In the days before the internet, I was booking a flight over the phone.
Me: "I'd like to fly from Stansted to Hannover on Saturday the 12th of September"
Her: "I have a flight from Birmingham on Friday the 11th September for [twice the price anyone else quoted]. Would you like me to book that for you?"

Ummm, wrong day, wrong side of the country, twice the price, errr, no.

Hedgehog99

A worrying sign in Debenham's cafe:
"Watch children boiling water"

pendragon_arther

One of my bugbears is the assistant who says, 'How are you today, sir?'
And when I tell them I've got leprosy, typhoid, malaria, 3 std's, high cholesterol and a lot of wind they just switch off.

The-Truth

geerex wrote: »

Two of my favourite examples:

(McDonalds) "I'll have a plain quarter pounder with cheese please."
"Do you want cheese on it?"

(Upper Crust) "A cheese and ham baguette, toasted please".
" Would you like it toasted?"

Aarrgh.

Do they just disengage their brain?

What's your favourite ?

What on earth has that got to do with shop assistants?

All of your examples are from catering outlets!

I can imagine they just do things to clarify due to the amount of stupid people they get.

Azari

On a - I hope - lighter note, but relating to people operating on autopilot, I have often had shop assistants say; 'That'll be £x.xx altogether', when I have only purchased one item.

And just to reassure shop workers and their friends and relatives, I never thought it was because they were stupid.

20aday

katejo wrote: »

I often buy stuff at a small garage based Coop conveniently near my gym and sometimes get asked the same question. It does irritate me because, when I say no, I feel that I am not being believed. I want to shout "if I had bought petrol, i would say so" but haven't done so yet.

I work in a petrol station and we ask this because there are occasions where we haven't and people have nearly driven off.

And when you have to stump up £70 (like I did once) when a customer has driven off without paying (despite them coming in often and denying all knowledge!!) it pays to check.

20aday

Azari wrote: »

On a - I hope - lighter note, but relating to people operating on autopilot, I have often had shop assistants say; 'That'll be £x.xx altogether', when I have only purchased one item.

And just to reassure shop workers and their friends and relatives, I never thought it was because they were stupid.

Trust me, it is autopilot. There are customers, however, who do look at you until you've said the price.