Rude cashiers drive me crazy

Please excuse me while I pull out my soap box for a moment. Last week I was going through a drive thru, and when I arrived at the window to pay for my order the cashier was talking on her cell phone. She continued to talk on the phone the whole time she took my money and handed me back my change. I gathered quickly from what she was saying that it was a personal phone call.

I was also waited on recently by a lady in a gas station who was talking on the store's phone. Not only was she having a personal conversation on the phone, but she literally sighed and rolled her eyes when she saw me standing there. She didn't even bother to hang up the phone while she checked me out, a gesture I took as "hurry up and get out of my way so I can finish my phone call."

Sometimes I'm amazed by how incredibly rude people can be. When you work in a job that requires face-to-face interaction with customers, I think it's important to communicate with them in a way that says you feel they are important. For instance, when someone comes through my door, I always smile at them and stand up behind my desk to greet them. If for some reason I happen to be on the phone, I acknowledge them and let them know I'll be with them in just a minute.

I know people have bad days, but that's not the customer's fault. I know customers can be rude --- and often are --- but that still doesn't give us a right to treat them disrespectfully.

I'm not claiming to be the queen of customer service here. But, if I come through your line please try to smile back and me. And, most importantly, hang up that phone!