Service isn’t Servitude – Polite Strategies for Serving Customers

Polite Strategies for Serving Customers When They are on Their Phones

At one of my seminars a participant who works at a deli counter asked, “How do you politely deal with a customer who is talking on a cell phone while you’re trying to take their order?” My response: “Say to him or her, I’ll take care of you when you’re finished with you call.” Then move on to the next person in line. The results: 1) You feel better about yourself and your job. 2) Other customers appreciate your tactful handling of the matter since they don’t want to listen to the annoying customer either. 3) The customer suddenly realized that employees here need to be treated with respect. The key is the positive phrasing. Notice we did not say, ” I won’t serve you while you’re on the phone.” Instead, it’s “I will take care of you when…”

Today’s chuckle:

Children were lined up in a cafeteria of a Catholic school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, “Take only one, God is watching.” Moving through the line, to the other end of the table, was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. One of the boys wrote a note, “Take all you want, God is watching the apples.”

Written By Jeff Mowatt (original content – not AI generated)

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Jeff Mowatt is a customer service & sales speaker, customer service & sales trainer, a business communication strategist, award-winning speaker, and best-selling author.