I’m only 40 but do remember a lot of these as an adult.

5 years ago I was able to find a store to get my son’s foot measured properly and could buy shoes from the salesperson. Now I go into shoes stores - footlockers, kids footlocker, Nordstrom, DSW - and cannot find a single person to measure his foot. The best I can find is a foam mat with foot shapes on it.

As recently as the aughts, I couldn’t shop in person without being asked by several people if I needed help. I do get asked at some stores how I’m doing (bookstores, along with women’s clothing brands).

Local grocery store still offers baggers! I don’t go there because most of the cashiers and baggers pointedly ignore me even when I am friendly (because they only talk to the elderly? Because they don’t like minorities?): But it is nice to have a designated bagger.

I also remember when cashiers and advice people weren’t just warm bodies. They said hello, at least forced a smile. Now it’s pulling teeth to get them to treat you like dirt and unlock a door or grab an item from behind the counter.

I was born in 1989 in MD and I remember all of that. My mom would always let the baggers take her groceries to the car. I remember her always having to tell the department sales associates that she was just looking when they’d ask if she needed a dressing room.
She would pump her own gas usually but I do remember there would usually be an attendant asking if she wanted them to pump for her. Whenever we go to NJ my kids are always amazed that they pump your gas for you.

If the big corps continued this level of service they wouldn't be able to pay their CEOs multi million dollar salaries.

Ergo the lower paying positions that provided such service have been eliminated. So no service, less jobs, but a very rich CEO!

No.

And yet today you can literally have anything you want delivered to you with a flick of a wrist and a click of a finger.

Anonymous wrote:I'm pushing 50 and you're either from a different place than me, or a couple decades older. I was pumping gas before I was old enough to drive. While the gas tank was filling I'd clean my parents' windshield.

At 14 I worked at a grocery store as a cashier and we didn't have baggers or anyone who pushed the cart to the car for you.

I've never taken anyone up on an offer to start a dressing room for me. I want to hold everything I'm considering so I can put back what won't work.

All the high end restaurants I go to involve offering wine, dessert, etc., and they automatically offer water (except when we're in a drought) and put bread on the table. I don't want anyone putting anything in my lap. My hands work, and I'll invite you to touch my body if I want you to.

I’m 44 and we had everything but the gas attendants. They still have them in NJ by law but they aren’t friendly usually.

OP, I grew up in Richmond and know exactly what you are talking about. We shopped at Ukrop’s and Thalhimers. We had Legendary Santa. It was different time for sure and I do miss it.

No, I really don’t miss any of that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm pushing 50 and you're either from a different place than me, or a couple decades older. I was pumping gas before I was old enough to drive. While the gas tank was filling I'd clean my parents' windshield.

At 14 I worked at a grocery store as a cashier and we didn't have baggers or anyone who pushed the cart to the car for you.

I've never taken anyone up on an offer to start a dressing room for me. I want to hold everything I'm considering so I can put back what won't work.

All the high end restaurants I go to involve offering wine, dessert, etc., and they automatically offer water (except when we're in a drought) and put bread on the table. I don't want anyone putting anything in my lap. My hands work, and I'll invite you to touch my body if I want you to.

New poster here

I’m your age (born in 1975) and I remember all the things OP said. I worked in a grocery store from 1994-1996 and I started as a bagger. We even had to wear uniforms.

1977 here, and I distinctly remember it too. I'm from
DC. Maybe some of it was regional.

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.

No, I hate that. I can do it much faster.

Some of this is DC area specific. Other parts of the country still have friendly customer service.

Not only is there not customer service. There are people who work in these positions who actually want you, the paying customer, to know how much they hate you. Don't you dare expect a smile. You're getting attitude instead. The hatred from the young to the old is real.

Every generation complains about the next, but if the young 20-somethings at my office are our future, it doesn't look bright. They are more interested in getting out of work than actually working. They don't get back to people on the phone, and their emails are like texts (short, terse, and they cannot spell, write a complete sentence or understand actual punctuation). On time is considered within 20 minutes after the office opens, and they leave early all the time. No sense of customer service, or thr customer is always right.

It's worrisome

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.

Anonymous wrote:I’m temporarily living in another country where labor is cheaper. We have all of that still. I am so appreciative of it!

In reverse, perhaps in the U.S. corporations are just greedy. Corporate greed cut those jobs.