Please, be nice to the people who are there to help you!

[Mattg]

I recently saw something in BNE that really opened my eyes. A man was having trouble with the self-checkin machine so one of the QF staff came over to assist. Obviously frustrated, he treated the assistant like cough - blaming him for the machine's problems, swearing at him etc. It was just disgraceful! I don't know if this poor guy was already having a bad day but he snapped, and said "Excuse sir, I'm a human being. Don't bloody talk to me like that!" Rude, I know, but I was actually quite pleased that he stood up to himself.

It got me thinking, these staff must put up with a lot of cough! So please, be nice to the people who are there to help you!

 

[drron]

Its not only good manners but there is no doubt you get better service if you treat staff with respect.

 

[ozmille]

Having worked at an airport for 5 years whilst studying I have seen the best and worst kind of passengers, and the worst passenger was actually a Knight (well that was on his boarding pass anyway).

It is strange how a lot of people leave all manners and common sense behind as soon as they enter an airport.

 

[LiamR]

A smile goes a long way.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

The OP should have a sub-heading 'the idiots guide to securing seat 57E in 3 easy steps'.

Having worked at an airport for 5 years whilst studying I have seen the best and worst kind of passengers, and the worst passenger was actually a Knight (well that was on his boarding pass anyway).

It is strange how a lot of people leave all manners and common sense behind as soon as they enter an airport.

I suspect if he was a knight the manners would've disappeared long before he got to the airport!

 

[JohnK]

Could have been having a bad day or his flight was delayed again.

Still no excuse to take it out on the ground staff.

 

[AVC]

Ah yes, abusive "stakeholders"...

I think it is totally unacceptable to be rude or abusive to those who are clearly trying to assist.

I have the advantage at work (if it escalates to the point where I have to intervene) that if they don't stop ranting, they wont get any further assistance, but I can send them some men with guns. That usually shuts them up. The I explain that the person they were talking to earlier is there to help them and to be nice.

 

[anat0l]

Interestingly enough, it's the people who are "oppressed" in those "customer service" examples that make the popular media who are often the kinds who are exemplified by the idiot as recounted by the OP.

Having worked in a service role before, it surprises me how people want to be treated with respect, and yet have completely no understanding of said concept. It's depressing, really.


I have to admit that in my travels, I have reprimanded other pax who I have witnessed being less than civil with staff (yes, who have not done anything wrong in their capacity). Call me a sticky beak.....

 

[drron]

When a person in a service role is rude or offhand with me I give them the benefit of doubt.Who knows what kind of day they have had before you arrived?So I will normally say something such as you must have a terrible time with the idiots who abuse you over nothing or you seem like you have had a terrible day.Normally turns the situation around.
And when checking in with DJ in Adelaide flying ADL-SYD-MCY got me the exit row all the way.

 

[Hvr]

There's an old maxim when dealing with customer service personnel that is always good to remember:

If you're right there's no need to shout or be abusive;

If you're wrong there's no need to shout or be abusive.

 

[Blackadder]

I recently saw something in BNE that really opened my eyes. A man was having trouble with the self-checkin machine so one of the QF staff came over to assist. Obviously frustrated, he treated the assistant like cough - blaming him for the machine's problems, swearing at him etc. It was just disgraceful! I don't know if this poor guy was already having a bad day but he snapped, and said "Excuse sir, I'm a human being. Don't bloody talk to me like that!" Rude, I know, but I was actually quite pleased that he stood up to himself.

It got me thinking, these staff must put up with a lot of cough! So please, be nice to the people who are there to help you!

Ahh welcome to life in the Customer Service industry, you can do all you can to help someone but that doesn't guarentee a polite response (if indeed you get any response).

 

[VHOEJ]

Great post - not just in air travel, but service in general. If you want help, you won't get it carrying on to the people who are trying to help.

Just a reminder that the show Airways is back on tonight - seems fitting to this topic

 

[Blackadder]

I always say it is a pity we can't treat passengers the way they treat us.

 

[Major]

Remember the old saying...Do unto others....

 

[spudseamus]

I know I have said it before ----"I am a mirror to your attitude " I am amazed at the looks I get when I hold open a door for someone , usually a female pushing a stroller, and as they glide past if I dont get a "thank you" I give them a "your very welcome " and by the looks I get you would think i had fallen out of a dogs rear end!! LOL!

 

[drron]

I know I have said it before ----"I am a mirror to your attitude " I am amazed at the looks I get when I hold open a door for someone , usually a female pushing a stroller, and as they glide past if I dont get a "thank you" I give them a "your very welcome " and by the looks I get you would think i had fallen out of a dogs rear end!! LOL!

I had a funny experience when I,as I always do,held a door open for a woman.She berated me for my sexist,paternalistic attitude.
I just answered-"sorry I thought you were a lady."

 

[spudseamus]

I had a funny experience when I,as I always do,held a door open for a woman.She berated me for my sexist,paternalistic attitude.
I just answered-"sorry I thought you were a lady."

OHHH! I do like that!!

 

[bigjobs]

I had a funny experience when I,as I always do,held a door open for a woman.She berated me for my sexist,paternalistic attitude.
I just answered-"sorry I thought you were a lady."

Ron Burgundy would have just punched her right in the ovaries. A straight shot, right to the baby maker.

 

[under the radar]

Great post - not just in air travel, but service in general. If you want help, you won't get it carrying on to the people who are trying to help.

Just a reminder that the show Airways is back on tonight - seems fitting to this topic

'this weeks winner'...Rajesh (i think that was its name) from last nights AIRWAYS...and 'tool of the week' goes to Gary "that's definately not my bag"

 

[ozbeachbabe]

'this weeks winner'...Rajesh (i think that was its name) from last nights AIRWAYS...and 'tool of the week' goes to Gary "that's definately not my bag"

Haha classic. I got a real laugh at poor Gaz's expense.