What happened to "old school" values????

[angelpoet04]

:confused:

Why is it, just because some of us graduated late 70's/early 80's, when we were taught customer service skills, phone anserwing skills, time management skills, how to interact with co-workers...you get the idea, that all of these 'old school' values, are no longer part of work life, today?????

Why also, is it, that even if you have Management Skills and lots of it, that you always, now, have to start all over again, at the bottom?????

Since I seem to be in the asking stage, why is it, that a supervisor, three years younger than you(and has only worked in the family business), feels that she can talk to you like you're a rugmat to walk over??? She claims she's just being direct. Let me tell you, if she had talked like this in any other work situation I've ever been in, she would have been fired, family or not! She may be direct, but there is a difference between being direct and decent, and just being direct and whatever other word you want to insert! And she condones this, in other co-workers that are half of any of our ages!!!!

Sorry I'm on a rant, but I stand by 'old school' values and that the customer comes first! The phone call from the boyfriend, unless a true emergency, can wait till your break, your lunchtime or after work!!!! Keeping a customer waiting while one discusses. on a cell phone,what outfit to wear to the bar on Friday night, IS NOT, customer service!!

[YellowRoseTex]

I wonder the same thing sometimes also. I was checking out at the grocery store the other night and the clerk kept checking his cell phone in between scanning my few items. What is up with that?

I have been raised to say please and thank you. Those are three words that mean alot. It really bugs me when my purchases are just shoved in the bag and handed to me with a glare. No thank you, no "have a nice day".

But, not all customer service people are like that. I was in Walgreens today, and there were two clerks that were so very nice. They asked if they could help, what was I looking for, and to let me know that they were there when I was ready to check out. They smiled and said "thank you and have a nice day." What a difference a smile and thank you can make. :)

[Mysty]

I certainly don't think everyone is rude these days, but I do agree that customer service is lacking in a lotta area's. I have worked customer service for a lot of years and I also find that the customers have changed too. This year in particular, at Christmas, I have never met so many rude people. I was yelled at, poked in the arm and spoken to like I was the reason for all her misfortunes. I would reply with a "Merry Christmas" which is not even politically correct anymore, but i refused to say Happy Holidays when it is Christmas!!

[SouthDakotaSherry]

This problem far exceeds customer service. I teach school and students talk to teachers in ways that make my jaw drop. I have been sworn at and called names. Our administration backs us and removes them from our classes for in-school suspension, but the kids don't care. You only have to meet the parents to know why!

I never would have dreamt of sassing a teacher in my day. My father would have killed me! I think the problem is that today parents are too busy to raise their children with the manners that should be taught. And then they are defensive when their children get called on their behavior.

Just one theory!

[Mysty]

YES I have to agree with your theory!! I remember being scared to go home when I got in trouble at school!! If you don't have a handle on ur children when they are in the younger grades I am afraid of what will happen when they get in high school. I had to meet with the principal because my daughter didnt listen to him one day. She repeatly picked up her pencil when he was addressing her class regarding an issue. He kept asking her to put it down, she would but then would pick it up again... until finally he gave her in school suspension and she missed Friday fun time. Plus I went to meet with him. He commended me on how willing I was to support his decision and work with him to help my daughter.

[SouthDakotaSherry]

We LOVE parents that will back us! How can we educate children as to proper behavior if we don't work as a team????

Good for you!

[Mysty]

I wish all teachers and parents thought that way! I remember a teacher I had in grade 8 more than I remember any other. She was soooooooooo strict but kind and I learned so much. She is the typical "Old School" teacher and I can remember the kids respected her and there was none of that sassy talking back in class! She has since passed away.. but I won't forget her.

[SouthDakotaSherry]

I had a teacher like that - she inspired me to become a teacher. I think I tend to be strict and I make them say please and thank you. There isn't a kid in my class that doesn't know how much I care about them though. I have stopped many of them before they have ever gotten through the doors to check in with them. My kids have a lot of issues, but I don't think they are all that much different from any other kids. At the end of each day, I do a self-check to see how many of my kids I have touched that day. I would not be happy if the answer were none. I have 120+ kids every day, so lots of chances!

[Kate]

Sorry I'm on a rant, but I stand by 'old school' values and that the customer comes first! The phone call from the boyfriend, unless a true emergency, can wait till your break, your lunchtime or after work!!!! Keeping a customer waiting while one discusses. on a cell phone,what outfit to wear to the bar on Friday night, IS NOT, customer service!!

What annoys me is being in a department store and their employees are hanging up clothes or whatever, but being on the clock, and talking on their cell phones! So irritating! :thumbsdow

[SouthDakotaSherry]

And then you ask for help and they roll their eyes, letting you know you are bothering them!

Sherry

[Mori]

I have to agree with "old school values" & I still believe that customers should come first for those dealing with the public.
I have also noticed that some sales clerks are quite rude & obnoxious nowadays.

[crunchies0313]

SouthDakota was right... it goes back to the parents. These workers learn from somewhere. Company policy has a lot to do with it to. I love the stores that really pay attention to me. I was grocery shopping and the produce man was explaining how to pick a good potato, sounds funny, but I love the "personal" treatment!! I work at a place that is customer service based, and I will admit it is extremely hard to deal with idiots, or "know it alls", but I bite my tounge and hope that its the only one I have to deal with. They wonder why people shop online now....

[Ann2006]

Have you ever had someone in uniform tell you they don't work there? I kid you not! It happened to me at a Jewel (Albertsons). I was looking confused two days ago because the school supplie sales had begun and they had spiral notebooks for 10 cents each limit 10. well, I always stock up by visiting different stores and returning the next day. This was my first visit though, and I could not find a single 70 page spiral notebook! Not even one! A young man was just turning the coner to walk down the aisle I was in when he took one look at my confused face and did an about face! I said "Excuse me, excuse me!" He turned around and said hedidn't work there then practically sprinted away. He was wearing the blue vest with a name tag!!!! It was the same vest the others were wearing! I was miffed! I left. That hurt! :(

[spasmo]

I have a question for y'all about old school values... would any of you quit a job with no notice? I had an employee do that today. Didn't go over her projects with anyone... just left after she gave me her letter. I am still kind of shell-shocked.

[Ann2006]

I've done that once but it was because I had absolutely no desire to be there anymore or to see any of the people again. I was through with it long before I quit. All anyone ever did there was complain how much they hated it but they stayed year after year. I kept waiting for something positive there but it never came. I was new and it left a bad taste in my mouth after every meeting that people just complained.
Was there any sign that this employee was disatisfied with the job?

[spasmo]

The employee was relatively new and in a learning phase. I knew were things about the job that were challenging to her but we were training her to be successful. As far as being dissatisfied goes, there were several things about the job that seemed to be bugging her lately, but I still did not see this coming, as there are days that bug all of us.

[Ann2006]

Arghhhh!!! I knew I was spelling dissatified wrong!!! LOL

[spasmo]

I wouldn't count on my spelling... LOL! I have always been challenged by spelling.

Of all the bells and whistles on this site, I wonder why there is no spell check.

[Laurasc]

I wonder if it's a generational thing?

I worked in an office with 14 other nurses. There were some younger nurses...under 35 and the rest of us were over 35. (I'm 43 BTW) I was talking to one of my friends (she's a couple of years older than me) and we both noticed a huge difference in the work ethics between both groups. Those of us who were older, seemed to spend more time at our desks working. The younger group seemed to spend a lot of time socializing, browsing the web, MSNing with their friends, smoking outside and getting them to do something was often worse than pulling teeth.

It's a work ethic (or maybe lack thereof) and an attitude that seems to have been passed on to that generation of young people. I realize that there are many that are not like that, but I've run into far too many who do have that attitude.

It's a shame.

[Ann2006]

It's true about the generations having different work ethics. Just look at how long kids stay at home now. You have to pry them out while they cling to the front door frame telling you they aren't ready yet! Excuse me? Ready? Who of us was ready? We just had to do it.
We got ready through experience and many months of Ramen noodles and generic mac and cheese without the cheese....who could afford milk and butter? LOL
Nowadays, kids expect us to foot their bills to keep them in the comfort in which they've become accustomed. Yeah right!!!

[Seashell]

Here's one for ya.... I had been working in an office (relief reception, relief switchboard, etc.) for about six weeks. I was still being trained. Still not allowed to do anything on my own. (My previous job was doing similar in the same setting -- law office. That firm dissolved. I was plenty qualified.) I decided the job just wasn't working out. So on the next payday, I went to HR and told them I was leaving that day. Surprised look. You're not giving two weeks notice? I don't remember if I actually said it or not . . . but were they going to continue to train me for those two weeks (and then I leave) or suddenly decide that I'm capable to do things on my own? I left.

Then there's Verizon. Got a Verizon cell phone at a Verizon store. Had a problem with the rebate. Called the store. Not our problem -- it's YOUR problem. Ultimately I got to the bottom of it. THE STORE gave me the wrong rebate form. After I told the store it was their mistake, couldn't be more helpful. My cell service is now T-Mobile.

Back to "What happened to "old school" values??? The whole "corporate" thing is a big turn-off to me. I'm generalizing, but there is a lot of corporate greed out there. And as a customer, call a business and you get into recorded voice hell. Where are the "old school" values on the corporate side?????

I was able to retire early. I got outta there.