Yep – the service industry. It’s big. It’s HUGE as The Donald would say (oh no please let’s not talk about that…..).
The service industry employs millions of people. Sometimes good service. Sometimes bad service. Nobody is perfect – the service provider or the customer. We are all just human after all. You can get mad or you can laugh and I find that the thrivers and survivors of the service industry are those with the most acute sense of humour. Here are a few tales that hopefully will make you smile or even chuckle –
WISHY WASHY AT THE GARAGE
(I work at a gas station; a lady comes in to buy windshield washer fluid but needs help getting it in her car. I am by myself and there are other people there so I can’t help her.) (courtesy of notalwaysright.com)
Customer: “Is there anyone here that can help me put this washer fluid in the car?”
Me: “No, sorry, I’m the only person here and as long as someone is fueling, I can’t leave the store.” *it’s a bylaw*
Customer: “Well, can you ask the manager or someone in the back to come help?”
Me: “Again, I’m sorry. I’m the only person here at the moment.”
Customer: “Well, can YOU help me, then?”
Me: “I’m not allowed to leave the front when people are fuelling. It’s a safety hazard and a bylaw. I actually don’t drive either, or have a car, so I’m not sure how much help I’d be. If you ask one of the people outside they might be able to help you, though?”
Customer: “YOU can’t FILL the washer fluid? Funny that they gave YOU this job then.”
Me: “You can’t fill YOUR washer fluid? Funny that they gave you the car.”
(She left pretty mad. I told my manager about the exchange and she was laughing.)
Delayed Reaction – at the airport
Passenger: “Why is there nobody to inform me about the delay?! I came all the way from San Francisco and now that I’m here you tell me there is a delay!”
Me: “Sir, some people sign up for email alert from the airport or the airlines for possible delays.”
Passenger: “Who are those ‘some people’?! I talked to everyone here! Nobody knew about the delay before!”
Me: “Sir, those people who have signed up and received an alert wouldn’t even bother to come to the airport. People are here because they did not sign up and did not know there is a delay.”
WHAT IS THAT CITY CODE AGAIN?
Passenger Manifest
A New Yorker called and asked, ‘Do airlines put your physical description on your bag so they know whose luggage belongs to who?’
I said, ‘No, why do you ask?’ She replied, ‘Well, when I checked in with the airline, they put a tag on my luggage that said (FAT), and I’m overweight, I think that is very rude.
‘After putting her on hold for a minute while I ‘looked into it’ (I was actually laughing) I came back and explained the city code for Fresno, CA is (FAT), and that the airline was just putting a destination tag on her luggage.
I thought under my breath, a good job she wasn’t going to Show Low airport in Arizona (SOW).
AND THEN THERE ARE THE PEOPLE WE LOVE …..
(Courtesy of a travel agents group facebook page) …..
“So cute story of my week. ..I should mention my clientele definitely trends to the elder based on my location. Man comes in, very elderly with his walker. He wants to book an easy domestic flight. Sure no problem. Start to get his info, “what’s the best phone number for you?”. “Hmm I don’t remember let me check” he says. Then he rifles through his carry basket on his walker and says “oh no I seem to have forgotten my phone as I brought this”. He holds up his tv remote! ♡my old ppl!”
And also the story of a lady who went into her travel agent to book a ticket to the Maritimes. Upon conversation it emerged that she was going there on a blind date. She was 72. Yay for her. We love her!
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