Florida shop etiquette is always something I have found amusing and recently actually quite fun.
Think of how entering a typical shop is in the UK, how often does one of the staff greet you with a good morning?
Or perhaps entering one of “those” fast food restaurants; the staff are hardly bundles of joy.
In the US it’s all different and although it can feel a bit false (“Have a nice day” to everyone every few seconds) sometimes it is amusing and quite good fun.
We went to purchase a fooseball table and were offered coffee in the store and also had a proper “normal” chat with the owners; not just a sales pitch.
On entering a fast food restaurant which had a slow moving queue the server decided to attempt to juggle paper cups; admittedly he failed at his juggling but it was entertaining too watch!
Recently I was simply browsing for some perfume (for my wife not me! ) and the very attractive young girl came up and asked me how I was doing, to which I replied fine. Then she proceeded with the standard “can I help you with anything? ” and when I replied that I was just looking she still wanted to have a casual chat! Yeah, I guess she could have fancied me; it’s not that hard to imagine you know.
Also a general US citizen seems more chatty anyway; in a bar a guy will just ask you where you are from and that leads into a conversation about why all UK people do not live in castles! ! ! .
None of this shop interaction occurs in the UK. Sure, staff can be (sometimes! ) happy and polite but generally you just don’t get the same vibe.
If you do try and start a conversation with a member of staff you can tell they feel uncomfortable and probably think you have escaped from somewhere.
I think in the US more of an effort is made by staff and presumably their employers to have an interaction with the customer rather than here’s your goods where’s your money! Though tedious saying “bye” or “fine thanks” millions of times as you enter and leave stores; it does start to become second nature.
I think UK stores should buck up their ideas and certainly their staff! – It can’t be a bad thing and can only help trade.
I think I shall wander down my local high street now saying “how you doing today? ” to everyone I meet, it won’t be long before I attract police attention! ?
Think of how entering a typical shop is in the UK, how often does one of the staff greet you with a good morning?
Or perhaps entering one of “those” fast food restaurants; the staff are hardly bundles of joy.
In the US it’s all different and although it can feel a bit false (“Have a nice day” to everyone every few seconds) sometimes it is amusing and quite good fun.
We went to purchase a fooseball table and were offered coffee in the store and also had a proper “normal” chat with the owners; not just a sales pitch.
On entering a fast food restaurant which had a slow moving queue the server decided to attempt to juggle paper cups; admittedly he failed at his juggling but it was entertaining too watch!
Recently I was simply browsing for some perfume (for my wife not me! ) and the very attractive young girl came up and asked me how I was doing, to which I replied fine. Then she proceeded with the standard “can I help you with anything? ” and when I replied that I was just looking she still wanted to have a casual chat! Yeah, I guess she could have fancied me; it’s not that hard to imagine you know.
Also a general US citizen seems more chatty anyway; in a bar a guy will just ask you where you are from and that leads into a conversation about why all UK people do not live in castles! ! ! .
None of this shop interaction occurs in the UK. Sure, staff can be (sometimes! ) happy and polite but generally you just don’t get the same vibe.
If you do try and start a conversation with a member of staff you can tell they feel uncomfortable and probably think you have escaped from somewhere.
I think in the US more of an effort is made by staff and presumably their employers to have an interaction with the customer rather than here’s your goods where’s your money! Though tedious saying “bye” or “fine thanks” millions of times as you enter and leave stores; it does start to become second nature.
I think UK stores should buck up their ideas and certainly their staff! – It can’t be a bad thing and can only help trade.
I think I shall wander down my local high street now saying “how you doing today? ” to everyone I meet, it won’t be long before I attract police attention! ?