To Serve or Not to Serve: is that a good question?

I have come to notice (and abhor) in the last year that people working in many service industries really don't give a hoot about serving people. There is something wrong with this. The top exceptions to this statement are found in the following companies:

• Chick-Fil-A, especially the one on Nine Mile Road in Pensacola, FL
• Publix Stores nationwide (I've been to Nine Mile, Ninth Avenue, Mobile Highway, Highway 90, and three different stores in Gainesville)
• Starbuck's *

I have worked in several of the service industry-type jobs. I just can't imagine NOT being on my very best, friendly behavior while at work. I mean, while I was there, I was representing the company and not just my own preferences. There's an analogy in there somewhere. Another day.

Last night, I had to go to Walmart. I hate that place.

Brian and I watched a documentary on PBS Frontline a while back about Walmart and how poorly they operate when it comes to maintaining employee relationships as well as handling how they pay workers in foreign countries. The documentary made me want to go out of my way to NEVER shop there again. If Americans DON'T stop shopping there, Walmart will still continue to own the market for one-stop shopping and there will be little to no market competition.

Okay, so back to the story. Last night, I was at Walmart. Their produce is bad. There stores are not laid out that well. And the PEOPLE ARE NOT FRIENDLY. If you can't tell, that last statement really is important to me. After checking out, I was headed to my car to unload my items. I was busy unlocking my car when two Walmart employees approached me while talking to one another about how much they hate their jobs and about how if they didn't hire some other people to share the load of the work, then they were going to quit. Okay, rule #1: Don't talk about how much you loathe your job when you're there. Rule #2: Don't talk about how much you loathe your job WHEN THERE IS A PAYING CUSTOMER PRESENT. Um, hello? Is it just me or is that really bad for business. Not only were they bashing their jobs, but they failed to acknowledge me, yet stood by my car waiting for me to finish unloading my groceries. Did they offer to help? Nope. Did they say hello? Nope. Goodnight? Nope. They just whisked my cart away and went on complaining.

Then, I went to Blockbuster. Brain had a rough day at work and just wanted to relax. I got my movie and was waiting in line to pay for it. The line was really long. I waited for a while. But the thing was, the sales associate that was collecting money for the movies was super awesome at his job. He had this way of making everyone laugh and feel at home. He joked with all of us about waiting and was honestly going as fast as he could, while still providing a good service for each customer. Props to you, employee #1667; you made my night.

People want to be treated with honor, dignity, and respect...especially if they are spending their money at a particular place. Walmart, you're horrible at this. Blockbuster, you surprised me tonight.

* I know, I know. Starbuck's burns their coffee sometimes. And it is ridiculously overpriced. But heck, they always greet me while I am there. They take my order graciously and carry out their responsibilities with reasonable speed and precision. Argue all you want, but that is hard to come by these days.