4 things to consider next time you’re talking to a customer service worker

Picture this: you're at a grocery store, and the cashier looks flustered from dealing with a busy line of customers. Some people in line are getting impatient and rude, forgetting that the cashier is human too, and just trying to do their job.  

What if I told you that you have the power to help make this interaction smoother and more pleasant for both of you? 

Having been a retail worker before, I know exactly what it’s like to face tough situations in customer service. Learning from those experiences, I now have a better idea of how to handle myself when I’m a customer.

So what should you do? These 4 tips will help you be polite and show kindness.

Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s perspective and how they may feel.

Showing empathy to a customer service worker can look like:

• Active listening: Give the customer service worker your full attention and make eye contact. Show gestures like nodding or cues, such as: “I understand” or “Can you tell me more?”

• Acknowledging their efforts: Express your appreciation for their hard work, even if the outcome wasn’t what you expected. Saying, “Thank you for your time and assistance” shows their work was appreciated.

• Validate their feelings and offer encouragement: Recognize the customer service worker’s emotions, especially if they look frustrated or stressed. Say things like: “I appreciate your efforts to help me even with the challenges.” Or “You’re doing a great job! Thank you for your efforts!” 

I remember whenever I heard words of encouragement as a worker, I really appreciated the customer for empathizing, especially during a hard day! 

Patience is the ability to remain calm in a difficult situation without getting upset.

Sometimes you may be in situations where things are delayed or slower than expected. It’s important to stay composed and remember that customer service workers are doing the best they can to assist you!

Instead of getting frustrated, find ways to stay patient:

• Make a to-do list on your phone

• Chat with someone else in the line

• Do small exercises, like standing on one foot and then the other

• Engage in people-watching and your surroundings

• Take deep breaths and count to 10 in your head

Showing kindness goes a long way! Being polite and respectful is important for any human exchange, especially in customer service.

Use friendly greetings like "Good afternoon" or "Good evening", and ask about their well-being. Avoid aggressive language and use respectful language to foster a positive and smooth exchange for both you and the customer service worker! 

Being nice alone is not enough — it’s also about understanding boundaries in customer service.

Understand and recognize that every customer service worker has a different role, and every role comes with different responsibilities. 

Photo by Blake Wisz on Unsplash

Sometimes there may be limitations on what they can help you with, and recognizing that boundary shows that you understand.

Examples:

• When a cashier can't process a return without a receipt

• When a server can't give you a discount without a manager's approval

This understanding not only shows empathy, but also helps create effective problem-solving and smoother interactions for everyone involved.

I learned how to be more polite to customer service workers from my own experiences. Now, as a customer, I treat them with the same compassion and respect I'd want if I was in their shoes. 

Next time you’re interacting with a customer service worker: