what do they teach you on retail most important thing the customer is always right! it's bad buisness practice to give it back if they are being rude, they may have a valid reason. they pay money for services gst which includes your services and people don't like paying for bad service. if you don't like it don't work in retail, it's simple ftw

Does it not seem like society is becoming substantially ruder by the year? I agree with you that the costumer should be treated with respect and given your full effort. However, there isn't a single reason I can think of to be rude to someone who is helping you. I don't think it's so unfair to expect everyone to treat each other of respect and courtesy, even in a demand/serve relationship like this.

What does returning rude behaviour get you? You shouldn't work in an industry dependent on customers if you can't deal with them. Further, it's not your job to teach them manners. I have had rude customers. In my experience, if you call them on it politely, they stop. If they become over-bearing or threatening, security (or police) can deal with them. You should not resort to volleying rude remarks and insults. OP, maybe your manager was there necause he'd received complaints about your behaviour. YDI for lacking customer service and managerial skills.

that's why people walk allover you if you work in the service industry. because they no the moto "the customer is always right" when more than half the time they are not. people should learn to be polite to each other but if someone starts yelling at you over something that is aginst pollicy than your hands are tied. are you supposed to give in? and say "oh sorry sir let me just change policy for you and here we go have a nice day sir =D" no you tell them to get out or listen. the customer is not allways right that quote started in food service which makes much more since.

I usually find being polite disfuses the situation. And if not, and they are being that rude, surely you should call for your manager anyway... Of course all companies are different, but i was taught, be polite back, then if they continue to be rude, get the duty manager. So basically I have never dealt with rude customers because manager deals with it. And whenever i have acually had to deal with it simlpe calmness has difused it immediatly. If you really are dealing with exstremly rude customers i'ld advice getting your manager to ask them to leave straight away (of course the arguement would be they're not always around when you need them). I've never been rude, so i'ld never know if it worked, so i don't want to argue if it works or not.

Poetry, Many businesses have a zero-tolerance policy towards rude customers. It makes plenty of business sense, especially if the business has a hard time retaining employees. Extremely rude employees are few and far between, their lack of business shouldn't have an impact. Of course the food industry is an entirely different dynamic, so nothing I said applies to that. Also, I agree with cpatrick820 in that I find it immoral to NOT be rude back to a customer.

Actually, yes, being polite back has helped me many times. The ruder they get, the more polite I get (though I don't apologize). They usually get so flustered because I'm not getting upset that they just walk out.

You have a very valid point, but regardless, most service businesses REQUIRE politeness from the employees at all times. It may reinforce assholish behavior, but not doing so has a high chance of getting one fired. It's a two-way street.

52- amen! I bet not one of the people who commented saying "the customer is always right", put themselves in OP's shoes. I'm not going to let a customer be rude to me either.

Uh, no. First off, customers aren't automatically entitled to treat anyone like dirt. Additionally, not all restaurants have security, so it's in the hands of the manager or shift supervisor - whoever is on duty. That said, I turned a blind eye when employees did things to rude customers' food.

What the heck are you talking about?? "haaaa3"??

You failed the OP was being harassed first. But two wrongs don't make a right.... NOW GO TO YOUR CORNER!