She is grossed out by uncouth customers’ actions

heloise

She is grossed out by uncouth customers’ actions

Dear Heloise: I am responding to the reader complaining about customer service. I have been in the retail-service industry for more than 20 years. I, too, am at a loss about etiquette. I have helped some customers who will not stop talking on their cell phones as I am serving them. And some customers cough, lick their fingers, etc., before handing me their money — gross! I have this happen to me more than 20 times a day, five days a week! Washing my hands all the time is impossible.

I get yelled at by customers for enforcing company policies that I have no control over. I try not to pass on my bad mood to others, but after eight hours, you get wiped out. I think we all need to try to put ourselves in the other person’s shoes! The reader should come sit and watch what I do all day — then you will see my job in a whole new light. Teresa, via e-mail

Teresa, you are right — there are two sides to every story. Folks, do you see yourself here? A bottle of anti-bacterial gel or waterless cleaner should be your best friend! I use a small one that I keep in my pocket all the time when “on the road” doing book signings, after making a speech or shaking hands at a reception, especially this time of year. Heloise

Dear Heloise: When I first purchased my floor sweeper, I, too, reused the disposable cloths. To reduce, reuse and recycle, I use washable microfiber cloths. They are larger than the disposable ones, but when folded in half they work just as well - maybe better, due to the thicker cushioning.

I turn those inside out, use them again, then just pop them into the washer and dryer, and they are ready to go again. I have even purchased some at a local store where everything costs only one dollar. I saved money and a bit of landfill space! Sue Miller, San Clemente, Calif.

Sue, who doesn’t like to save money? Here’s another floor-sweeper hint from Susie Kjell of Phoenix: “I have found that old washcloths are the perfect size to replace the disposable pads on floor sweepers. I fold one over and sew two self-gripping tape strips on one side, and it works great. When I’m done, I throw it in the wash with the towels.”

Speaking of washcloths, I try to buy a dozen or so cheap ones every year to use for makeup removal and other things. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I received a magnetized paper-clip holder at a conference I attended a while back. I put it in my closet and use it to collect the safety pins we remove from our dry cleaning. This keeps them from getting stepped on or endangering the vacuum cleaner’s insides, and we can give them back to the dry cleaner to use again! Jeff W., Columbia, S.C.

XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate