When working in customer service and you ask someone how they are doing...

eVERYONE SHOULD HAVE TO WORK OUT IN THE PUBLIC AT LEAST ONCE IN THEIR LIFE. iT MIGHT CHANGE ALOT OF ATTITUDES ESPECIALLY THE RUDE ONES.

im one those person when i go out i'll ask whoever waiting on me how they are doing, but yeah i dont need to hear thier life story. but i try to keep it short sweet, its give me money or food or whatever so i can go. but i seem to run into these people be like how ya doing? then my b/f or g/f broke up with me, i got this or that. ok like shut.. i dont care sorry i ask. lol or you are out and the person waiting on hate dealing with people. but you and your's have a Merry Christmas

sadly, even if we are that polite to customers, still we cant avoid it coz we really dont know their moods. although most of the time, this little attitudes are tolerable and good thing for service providers, they can easily ignore things and move on to giving good service.

I don't like it either but Bethany you are such a sweet person, don't let some sourpuss stop you from being who you are. Sometimes your bright face may change their attitude, sometimes it won't but you shouldn't ever stop being polite to people.

It annoys me too! I work in retail and its sad that being ignored by the customer is the normal thing now. If they are not ignoring me they are complaining about something. Noone answers my "How are you today," and no one responds to my parting, "Have a good day." How hard could it be to say "Fine thanks," or "You too" to such things? Its not like I'm asking them for their deepest darkest secrets or anything like that.

Its normal to feel a bit hurt when people are rude. Specially when they are demanding and bossy. You are not alone, I was in the same shoes before. I also did telemarketing which a bit worst since many people I talked to were not interested to listen and participate. But still I know I should do my work well.

I think "how can I help you today" would be a much more appropriate question than "how are you doing." I am one of those people who really does not like to be asked how I'm doing by strangers expecting the same freaking answer. And what if I'm not fine? What if I've had a horrible day? Then I'm LYING!!! Whereas if they asked "Hi how can I help you today?" I could say "I'd like a cheeseburger please." Now there are those people at Second Cup who all KNOW ME and the bus driver who knows me, and when they ask how I'm doing, it's a different story, and I tell them, and ask them how they're doing, and they tell me.

I think it is because of the people in customer service who ask how are you doing, then ignore them when they answer they hurt their back or whatever, it is like a slap in the face. I have been a customer service rep for so many years and I see that. I also hear people saying why do they bother asking they really don't care. I know we are often under a time limit but when that question is asked expect that the answer may be more than a sentence somebody really want to talk and you me or whomever asked opened it up.

I know what you mean, when I was a cashier, people used to do that to me all the time. And I would not understand it, I mean how hard is it to just smile and say "Im good", or fine, or anything...It takes just one second to show some friendliness back to the person that's been standing on their feet for hours, giving service to customers like that. I know I am ranting, but I just understand what you mean completely.

you guys look too nice to be mean to. it would be hard for me to do it, even if i were having a bad day. lol. you have to understand that people are sick and tired of what customer service has turned into. back in the day, the customer was always right. now a days, customer service is about keeping the customer in line with a smile in your voice. even though no body is saying it, every body expects that out of customer service. i know that is not your fault as a customer service agent, you are only doing your job.what your are trained to do. unfortunately, you are taking the punches that the customer wants to give the company. don't take it personal, it's not you the hostility you sometimes sense from customers is directed at. it's just that they are sick of the process in general. for instance, i dread having to deal with customer service. 90% of the time, it means that i am not going to get anywhere but more disappointed and angry. not because of the customer service agent, but because they system has taught the customer service to put me down with smile, while reading some pre scripted bibble dribble. so, i guess that it can tint me, before i even deal with rep. i hope this give some insight.

I totally agree, I work in customer service in a call center and it is the same way over the phone. You try to be helpful and kind and they are ruid but you have to continue to smile and be pleasant. Don't you just wish you could tell them off without getting fired? I've always said to my co-workers, these people should work here and see what it is like and then they'd have more respect.

I've never worked in customer service but that would make me feel kind of bad. And hearing "How are you" is nice, regardless of whether or not the person who says it is working. Not all customer service people say it. lol I also give a little "I'm fine, thank you." And ask them the same question in return. Even if I'm in a terrible hurry or aggravated with the company they work for. Just to be courteous. I think it says, even though were only talking because I need something and your working, we see each other as the people we are. I think that's nice.

Well am not a cashier bartender or any of those part, and I feel you pain, but i agree with you becaus every time I greet someone they just ignore. On of thhe basic thing to do is just let it be at least you did something what is good for other people but if they dont want it just let it go.

Hi Bethany,firstly,that's a good topic on mutually respect,every body want to be treated by a polite way,that only happened when you consider things from other's angle.why people get such rude attitude to servicers? the answer is they don't treat such people as a person who has emotion as the same as themselves,they treat servicers as they are nothing different as a service machine which aim is only to fulfill customer's request. anyway,my friend, the world won't take care about your dignity,it juge people by their performance and social statue.