Never Mind My Life, Mr. Grumbles

I was at one of my favorite watering holes ordering my usual 20-ounce decaf almond latte.  The barista was telling me how she was swamped the day before, and at 5 minutes after closing time someone came in and wanted to order a sandwich.  She told him, “Sorry, we are closed.”   

“Well, all the sandwich makings are still out.”

“I know, and I am trying to get them put away,” she explained.  The place was still packed with people who were slowly filtering out the door.

“Well, I am never coming back here again!” he retorted.

Good, who needs such an inconsiderate customer, was my thought.  Here’s a hardworking young woman, paying her own way through college, needing to get home after cleaning up in order to do her homework.

It reminded me of the time I was at a garden nursery during the busy season; not knowing what time it was, I was still shopping for plants.  I watched the staff turn some people away, as they had closed 20 minutes before.  One belligerent woman started yelling at the employee and pointing at those of us inside.  I collected my items and asked if there was still time to pay.  They answered, Yes there is still time."  I apologized for taking so long as I had lost track of time, paid for my plants and left. 

I know that in retail, workers sometimes have to put up with ungracious customers;  yet they still smile and patiently handle people politely.  As a customer, shouldn’t we also be courteous to them?  We aren’t always in the right. What makes us so special that we can walk into an establishment after closing and expect service, keeping people after working hours? Many times, they still need to count their tills, clean up, and have the place ready for the next business day.  They are probably tired, hungry, need to pick up their children from daycare, or deal with their lives outside of work.

It perturbs me when people act as if they are entitled, demanding another person work past  normal hours, or that a business stay open later then normal, just because they don’t have the courtesy to arrive before closing time.  I say if they want such entitlement, they should pay the employee wages to stay open later and cater to their needs after hours.  I am sure they would find the time to make it in before closing, rather than pay extra.

If I could, I would give all employees a dozen roses for working hard and often for little money, while putting up with the “grumblies” of the world.

Do you think a person is entitled to service when they walk in after closing time?

I made the funny South Park character at Planearium.de presents.

Comments

[Les]

I work at a retail garden center, and this issue comes up more often than we like. I do not mind staying open (or opening early) for people who are actually shopping with the intention on buying something, or who have a real need. I resent staying open for people who have no intentions of making a purchase and just want to browse. We have several diplomatic ways to let these browsers know that we are ready to go home, and usually they get the hint.

[mss @ Zanthan Gardens]

What a wonderfully thoughtful post! I so agree with you. When I'm at a restaurant, I always tip well. It's my way of thanking the powers that be that I've never, ever had to do that job myself--by saying that yes! I'm thankful to the people who must do that basically unrewarded job in my stead.