Do you miss every day ordinary service?

[Anonymous]

It’s interesting because the places that are known to pay better or have better working conditions have better employees.

Chick Fil A is closed on Sundays so you’re guaranteed a weekend day off and they always seem to at least try really hard to have full staffing at their restaurants, just look at how many employees are running around CFA vs. any other fast food places. It’s a noticeable difference. The employees don’t seem to be run ragged running the drive through and getting fries, cleaning the dining room and running the register, etc.

Costco pays a lot better than most places and doesn’t have the reputation of skimping on hours. The employees at my local Costco all have 10+ years on their badges. They are fast and don’t make a ton of mistakes. Same for Aldi where the cashiers are allowed to sit and be more comfortable.

Starbucks has good benefits and pay although they do seem to understaff. But the people working at my local Starbucks - multiple locations - are fairly nice and competent.

Then compare that to literally every other hourly place which tries not to give employees full time hours, has crappy benefits if any, runs employees ragged with overwork, and it’s no wonder that the employees are all pissed off and barely wanting to do any work. The goal for every business now is unlimited growth in order to pump up their stock prices. It’s beyond just “doing well and making a profit.”

[Anonymous]

There is no service anywhere these days and getting things "done" now takes 2-3X doing the same thing over and over again to get it done. It's maddening.

[Anonymous]

Shopping is evolving away from being in stores, away from people, service. I rarely find myself in as many stores as the first 45 years of my life. Increasingly, I shop online, including many, not all, grocery items.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Np, and I have thought often of the days of gas attendants. I have OCD and dread pumping gas due to the multiple hands that have touched the pump. I carry Clorox wipes in my car for that reason and won't touch any part of the gas pumping process without a wipe. I would tip handsomely if an attendant were there. I believe NJ still has them.

So you use a clorox wipe on the pump then wait the 6-10 minutes for it to disinfect the pump before using it? You know they sell gas gloves right?

[Anonymous]

Mid 40s and I didn’t pump my own gas until I went away to college in a tiny town with no full service pumps.

I remember all of OPs things and most of them were still happening here until relatively recently. Nordstrom is an hour away in a very high end area and still has shoe help, thank goodness, because I cannot fit a child’s shoe. No pianist anymore. I miss it all. Good customer service seems to exist primarily at some luxury retailers. We do have a wonderful family owned sewing/vacuum store that is amazing, but that’s it. I cannot think of one other store in my expensive zip code that consistently has good or even sort of good service.

As far as the attitude, although there are some people who are really unpleasant, I try to keep in mind that they are extremely underpaid and I don’t have to remind myself how rude many customers are, because I usually see it happening.

[Anonymous]

Is it just corporate greed? Or can we not find people who want to do the menial jobs anymore? I know very few high schoolers who work “normal” jobs like babysitting and grocery bagging. They are busy on their phones or else doing prestigious resume building volunteer work or paid work. Every barista I know is past college age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it just corporate greed? Or can we not find people who want to do the menial jobs anymore? I know very few high schoolers who work “normal” jobs like babysitting and grocery bagging. They are busy on their phones or else doing prestigious resume building volunteer work or paid work. Every barista I know is past college age.

They go to school all day, then they have homework, sports, and extracurriculars that are necessary for college applications. Let's be generous and say that leaves 2 hours/day on average for paid work. Assuming you can find somebody hiring for such a short schedule, is it worth the wage? Especially if you can get an office job or online job instead?

As with real estate, the reason it isn't selling is always price. Those jobs don't pay enough, especially for the few hours available to students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it just corporate greed? Or can we not find people who want to do the menial jobs anymore? I know very few high schoolers who work “normal” jobs like babysitting and grocery bagging. They are busy on their phones or else doing prestigious resume building volunteer work or paid work. Every barista I know is past college age.

It’s both, I think. On the one hand, we have corporations who are beholden first and foremost to growing their shareholders’ portfolios (until we legally redefine corporate obligations, perhaps making them more like those of B-corps, that’s unlikely to change).

On the other hand, we have a widening wealth gap, which has skyrocketed the cost of even basic housing relative to wages. Add to that the ever-increasing cost of health care, etc., and we no longer have a society in which a sweet little bra-fitter at Macy’s, or a gas station attendant (or even small business owner) can expect to meet their cost of living needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it just corporate greed? Or can we not find people who want to do the menial jobs anymore? I know very few high schoolers who work “normal” jobs like babysitting and grocery bagging. They are busy on their phones or else doing prestigious resume building volunteer work or paid work. Every barista I know is past college age.

They go to school all day, then they have homework, sports, and extracurriculars that are necessary for college applications. Let's be generous and say that leaves 2 hours/day on average for paid work. Assuming you can find somebody hiring for such a short schedule, is it worth the wage? Especially if you can get an office job or online job instead?

As with real estate, the reason it isn't selling is always price. Those jobs don't pay enough, especially for the few hours available to students.

Oh I am not arguing that high schoolers are being unreasonable! It’s how things are set up now unfortunately. It would be worthwhile for my son to bag groceries and interact with the elderly in his neighborhood, but being college prep I also feel the pull of application building.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really miss baggers at the grocery store. I wonder how I'll be able to manage when I get older.

I don't miss them at all. They generally sucked at bagging. I prefer bagging my own. Left to the baggers I would have 3 items in each bag and 5,000 bags to carry. I pack mine super heavy so I can get it all in one trip. I'm already old and still do this.

[Anonymous]

I’m 55. Life has changed, and not for the better.

I have fond memories of getting all of my Christmas gifts wrapped (for free!) at department stores like Leggett, Miller & Rhodes, Thalheimers, and JC Penney. Sales clerks would ask if they could help you find merchandise, start a dressing room, or bring you another size to try. Yes, lingerie departments had bra fitting ladies.
A department store is where you went as a newly engaged couple to register for gifts. A staff member would help with your selections and make recommendations. Service was given with a smile and people were polite and courteous. Stores were clean, well-stocked, and organized.

Department stores are just one example, but service was better then in all areas of life.

People were just nicer. Now, much of life has gotten to be a slog. It’s very depressing as someone who remembers how things were not so long ago. I think much is to blame - corporate greed, decline of church attendance, changing demographics (diversity really isn’t all that great and hurts communities of all races).

I feed sad for the younger generations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I used to go to the library, the guy on the desk knew my name and would chat.

Now I go in l, pick up my books, check out and speak to no one. Same at the supermarket.

They wonder why people are lacking social connection.

The library is over of my few stops where I know all the workers and they greet me. With two we talk about kid books, one adult books, and another a non book hobby we have in common. My favorite errand by far!

[Anonymous]

I'm 45 OP, and I've never experienced most of those things. Nor have I ever longed for those things.

I genuinely don't think service is bad these days, but I always approach people with an angle of curiosity, not entitlement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 45 OP, and I've never experienced most of those things. Nor have I ever longed for those things.

I genuinely don't think service is bad these days, but I always approach people with an angle of curiosity, not entitlement.

Curiosity? That’s… patronizing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 45 OP, and I've never experienced most of those things. Nor have I ever longed for those things.

I genuinely don't think service is bad these days, but I always approach people with an angle of curiosity, not entitlement.

Curiosity? That’s… patronizing.

DP, I’ve worked a lot of service jobs, and I disagree. You can tell who sees you as a person and who doesn’t; the right kind of curiosity helps with that — just don’t make it animal-in-a zoo curiosity.