Over at Wise Bread, they’re talking about an issue that’s really close to my heart- being nice to customer service employees. Paul writes:

I was in McDonald’s this morning, returning a RedBox movie rental.
I’ve seen a lot more of this place since I started using RedBox
actually, and although I don’t order food I get to see many other
people order their meals. And I am staggered at the way most people
treat the staff. Has the milk of human kindness gone off? It certainly
seems sour.

When I was young, one of the lessons my parents taught me was to
treat people the same way I would like to be treated myself. I believe
it’s a Biblical reference and it’s a good way to live your life,
religious or not. No-one wants to be treated like crap, so don’t do it.
However, in the last month I have been actively taking notes about what
I have seen on my travels. I’m sad that things seem to be so bad out
there.

It’s interesting that the same people who would be very polite to you if you were seeing them at church or the golf course, are the same people that would treat you as if you were vile scum because you are on the other side of the counter.

How much will it cost you to smile and be polite and remember to say please and thank you? Not a dime, but doing the opposite will cost the person across the counter some of their dignity. Think about that next time you are at the store or restaurant.