The Bitching Thread

[Sapphire]

When I first came to NYC I rigidly ignored all of the random people (men) on the street who would holla ( "hi!" "hey beautiful," "you're so beautiful," *whistle* etc) at me. But over the years I've loosened up, and at least offer a smile or nod in return. I'm one of the few people I know in Manhattan who doesn't ignore any and all attempts at transient communication from the locals and tourists.

But I really can't stand the people in NYC who wait a split second after you pass them to holla at you or whistle, because at that point of walking past them you can't really acknowledge them and just keep walking. So it turns into having some perverted coward scream at your back and not really being able to turn around because that's just awkward. And its not like you can individually yell at them for being cowardly because the next day someone is going to do the same thing. :[

[Animeniax]

When I first came to NYC I rigidly ignored all of the random people (men) on the street who would holla ( "hi!" "hey beautiful," "you're so beautiful," *whistle* etc) at me. But over the years I've loosened up, and at least offer a smile or nod in return. I'm one of the few people I know in Manhattan who doesn't ignore any and all attempts at transient communication from the locals and tourists.

But I really can't stand the people in NYC who wait a split second after you pass them to holla at you or whistle, because at that point of walking past them you can't really acknowledge them and just keep walking. So it turns into having some perverted coward scream at your back and not really being able to turn around because that's just awkward. And its not like you can individually yell at them for being cowardly because the next day someone is going to do the same thing. :[

Do you walk past a lot of construction sites?

I think it's nice that you accept compliments and not just walk past with your nose in the air. I wouldn't recommend doing that in some places like Vietnam though, or the street vendors will never leave you alone.

[Uchiha Barles]

When I first came to NYC I rigidly ignored all of the random people (men) on the street who would holla ( "hi!" "hey beautiful," "you're so beautiful," *whistle* etc) at me. But over the years I've loosened up, and at least offer a smile or nod in return. I'm one of the few people I know in Manhattan who doesn't ignore any and all attempts at transient communication from the locals and tourists.

But I really can't stand the people in NYC who wait a split second after you pass them to holla at you or whistle, because at that point of walking past them you can't really acknowledge them and just keep walking. So it turns into having some perverted coward scream at your back and not really being able to turn around because that's just awkward. And its not like you can individually yell at them for being cowardly because the next day someone is going to do the same thing. :[

Just convince yourself that they're taking the time to confirm that your ass is as awesome as the rest of you, and that the holla is a nod of approval. That way, you turn a slightly annoying, daily encounter into a regular ego boost. Win-win.

[Buffalobiian]

On a related note about greetings, I wish "Welcome" can be used in English like it's used in Japanese. It saves having people going like:

Me: How are you going today?
Customer: Crap. But you don't really care do you?

[Ryllharu]

Ever try just saying, "Hello,"?

If you are contractually required to say more than that, go with, "Hello, can I help you find anything?"

That said, I'm a big fan of responding to "How is it going?" with a negative, then waiting for the "Good!" auto-reply. It lets you know right away they weren't expecting anything but "Good!" or "Fine," and that they weren't going to listen to your reply in the first place, because they really don't care about anyone's well being when they use that particular greeting. It's also the reason I shifted my standard greeting to, "Mornin'." [With, "Afternoon." and "Evening." as applicable.] That way, "How goes it?" is reserved for people I legitimately give a shit about.

[Buffalobiian]

Re: Hello - a bit too short? :P
Re: Hello, can I help you find anything? - when they're bringing stuff to the counter it sounds even more like an automated answer.

I'll try mixing in those (amongst others) every now and then to see what works though..

[Ryllharu]

Re: Hello, can I help you find anything? - when they're bringing stuff to the counter it sounds even more like an automated answer.

Usually you use that one when you first see them enter, otherwise, you can use, "Hello, did you find everything you were looking for?"

[Animeniax]

Usually you use that one when you first see them enter, otherwise, you can use, "Hello, did you find everything you were looking for?"

The problem with that is if they answer, "no, I need this or that," then you have to go help them find it or call someone to go help them find it, meanwhile there's a line of people waiting to check out, and you're halfway through scanning their order, so you have to cancel it out or wait for them to come back to finish processing them. It's a bad situation all around. Really it's best if you just ignore them and let them find their own way.

[enkoujin]

"What can I help you with?"

"What assistance do you need?"

"How can I be of help to you?"

"What's your concern/issue?"

I think "Hi there", and the applicable greeting that varies on the time of day works best from Ryllharu's suggestion works best too. Since you're a pharmacist and people come to you, you just have to say something minimal to indicate that you're ready to help the next person. That's really all you have to say.

[Kraco]

Oh, right, you were talking about greeting customers. Never in my life has a store's salesperson asked me how I'm doing instead of a normal, neutral greeting (good day, etc.) or asking if they can help me with something (assuming I wasn't carrying already anything). Fortunately asking about one's tidings is not even a habit in Finland unless you really want to hear a real answer, and thus it's not an option with total strangers.

[Buffalobiian]

@Ani: no matter what your response is, they ask you to do that anyway.

@En: this is a bottleshop scenario.

I keep having to do overtime without being paid for it "because that's the culture". The manager has to work overtime, everybody in general works overtime. The casuals get paid for it though, while the managers get bonuses for running the store well. Us full-timers on the other hand just get paid a set salary which is only supposed to be for 38 hours per week plus "reasonable" overtime "when required". Don't you just love the wording?

And the balls of my foot having been hurting for 2 weeks now. I have to curl the toes of my left foot inwards so that I push off them instead of the balls. My self diagnosis is that I've popped one or more metatarsals out of alignment. I'm hoping whatever the problem is, that the solution is relatively inexpensive, quickly done, and fundamentally permanent. (I better have enough sick leave to cover this...)

[Kraco]

At least you get a longer vacation using your overtime hours, if nothing else. Still sucks, of course.

[Buffalobiian]

At least you get a longer vacation using your overtime hours, if nothing else. Still sucks, of course.

I don't get OT hrs. It's just free labour period.

@Ryll: they often ask you "could you get me x, y and z". You don't really have a choice but to get it for them (not that I mind if there's no line).

[Kraco]

I don't get OT hrs. It's just free labour period.

Now I get perfectly why you started getting increasingly acquainted with your store's products. Forgive my lack of understanding earlier. Though I won't stop making jokes out of it.

[Ryllharu]

@Ani:

If you don't have it, you reply, "I'm sorry, I'll see what I can do for next time," or "I'll let my boss know there is an interest for [product]."

If you do have it, it may be behind the counter (cigarettes, pint bottles, etc.). Grab it, and include it in their checkout.

If you do have it, and it isn't behind the counter, point to it, and then wait for them to go get it. Look to the next person in line, and apologize for the wait.


It's the service industry, and furthermore it's a package store, not something like a drugstore or a supermarket. It's really not that hard.

[Sapphire]

My PSU blew up while I was in the middle of watching He's Just Not That Into You.

[dragonrage]

That sucks.. Good movie.

rip PSU

[Buffalobiian]

My PSU blew up while I was in the middle of watching He's Just Not That Into You.

Buy a better one.

[Animeniax]

My PSU blew up while I was in the middle of watching He's Just Not That Into You.

Seems your PSU didn't like that crap either. I got to the contrived scene with Scarlett and Brad Cooper in the grocery store and had to turn it off.

[Animeniax]

I was watching the video Assertn posted with the kids enacting fight scenes and about 1 minute in I wanted to post my reaction without even bothering to finish watching what turned out to be an awesome video in its entirety. I fought the urge and finished the video before posting, but the urge to post is what worries me. I find I often skim or just watch the first minute of stuff before rushing to comment on it and usually not even finishing it.

And I a narcissist, or am I just too self-involved? Or worse yet, am I desperate for attention and recognition?