As an offshoot of bossmans thread. Why on earth have we adopted this cringeworthy phrase from America.I feel as though it has been forced upon shop staff and probably has. What happened to "thanks for your custom" "Thanks for shopping with us" "Hope to see you again" (usually in accommodation responses.)Felt genuine.
"Have a nice day" sounds a hell of a lot more genuine, less forced and friendlier than "Thanks for your custom", "Thanks for shopping with us" or "Hope to see you again". You don't have to hate everything that has come from America, you know? Language evolves.
I certainly don't hate everything that comes from America (It really doesn't matter where it came from)..but do you not agree that the phrase HAS been forced upon people . Whereas the comments I'm used to are from the above and in my eyes much more genuine. Traditions have some value mate.
In many bars and restaurants in the USA and Canada, the staff are (legally) paid below minimum wage as they are expected to make up the difference in tips, which are expected to be up to 20% of the total bill. For this reason, most of the staff are incredibly nice to customers, as they are paranoid that if they upset one, this might reduce or eliminate their tip. I believe this spills over and the "niceness" becomes exaggerated to the point of being annoying, and it doesn't sound genuine at all. Personally I think that hardworking staff should be paid accordingly, prices should be adjusted in line with that and tips should become a thing of the past. That's just me though, the Americans and Canadians seem to like it the way it is.
Tend to agree mate. But when I've been over there I've come to expect the comment and totally accept it. I find the American people I've come across when over there very friendly and helpful in any situation.
Agreed, I don't blame the people working, I blame their bosses for not paying them properly, and the system for requiring me to pay about $15 for 2 beers which are shown as $5.50 on the price list. They add tax on, then expect you to tip 20% on top of that. The people I've met have been sound, in both the USA and Canada.
I rarely ever hear that phrase. What I do hear far too much from call centre staff.... "is there anything else I can help you with?" Typically they haven't even helped me with what I was asking for in the first place, and in several cases, when they've called me, they still ask the same thing. Maybe I should parrot fashion it back at them and see if the penny drops. Scripts. Seemed such a good idea at first.
Better than been told to **** off. Give me false niceties ahead of sincere abuse any day of the week.
I tell a lot of our customers to have a nice day, its certainly not forced on me and is definitely genuine
we have had many many things put upon us by Uncle Sam... Mothers day, Fathers day, Trick or treat, Prom dances... even Father Christmas was invented by Coca-Cola.... what next , thanksgiving ?
As a matter of interest (Genuine question)what phrase did you use before. and why did you change it. Maybe I'm getting old. But I would be more than happy to be told "thanks for the custom. Take care" and feel it was coming from the heart. Rather than the adopted response. Maybe I'm in the minority that feel this way. ( But in past discussions with my work colleagues I get the impression I'm not).
I’m not keen on being called “mate” by some spotty oik and I hate the “see you later” send off. I think I ought to respond with “Oh, that’s nice. Where shall we meet?” (attractive female staff only, obviously).
You can't be that old or you wouldn't have adopted the in phrase "cringeworthy". . I hate that far more than I do "have a good day"