What a Difference an attitude makes

                                   

The other day I went shopping.  It is something I don't do very often for two obvious reasons...time and money.  However, since I am in the Bay Area I decided to take a break from writing and walk down to our local shopping center. 

The first store I stopped at was T.J Max.  I generally don't enjoy clothes shopping and I kept stalling before I finally decided to try some things on.  As it turned out, I tried a lot on (I am hard to fit and harder to please).  The lady who was working the fitting room smiled as I approached with my HUGE pile of potentials.  She then asked me if I found everything ok, took some of my now tangled mess and helped me separate and count them.  Once counted, she handed me my number and wished me luck.  I ended up needing two trips into the fitting room to try everything on.  She helped me with a smile, some kind words and when I said thank you she said "You're very welcome". 

In my pile of things I tried on, I found a skirt I liked, but needed a top to go with it.  So, off to another store I went.  While looking I found an employee and told her I wanted to try their tops on with a skirt I just bought at their competitors. "Can I bring this bag in the fitting room?" I asked.  In broken English and no smile she simply said "Go ahead."  That was it.  No, "Sure, thanks for asking." or "Can I help you find anything." Just "Go ahead."

 My next experience with this employee was in the fitting room.  I found that some hangers had been switched and the sizes on the hangers were much different than the actual garments. So, I found the proper sizes, came back into the fitting room and explained what I found.  She basically shrugged and ignored me.  I went ahead and made the switch myself.  (I also refold the clothes I look at and put them neatly back on the rack.  I am weird that way.)

Off to the next store I went.  Rummaging through the racks I found a few things I thought might match my skirt (and a lot more).  Walking up to the fitting room I noticed a lady who worked there on the wall phone talking and laughing.  I also noticed a line of about 5 people.  She motioned for one of us to put our clothes up on the bar to have them counted and then gave out the appropriate number. She then motioned (almost like shooing) the person towards the fitting rooms.  All this time she was on the phone.  Once I was done with my first set of 8 I asked her if she could keep the two I wanted to purchase while I tried on the rest.  "I don't have room to keep them.  Look at all these clothes.  Sorry." 

I couldn't help but notice the VAST difference in my experience from one store to another.  And it was all because of the attitude of the employee’s that I had dealt with. 

Maybe it is just me, but I think smiling, acknowledging and making a little small talk is good business.

What a difference a good attitude and a little bit of kindness can make. :)  

#positive #attitude #tjmax

#ross #kohls