As you know, it is very famous for us as one of hamburger shops. These shops are always welcome you and we can buy hamburgers easily. However, I was always under extreme tension when I went to there to buy it while living in America.
Because....
Ordering something in English correctly was difficult for me, and I was scared of the inhospitable service.
There were no smile.
Of course, not all of shops, but at many shops. Especially, I really got nervous when I failed to order because of my bad English, and seeing a long line of people who were made to wait by my fault, I felt more nervous.
I was called as the next customer. A clerk shouting,"Next!!!"
Scary..... I got nervous.
Clerks called the next customer after me shouting,"Neeeext!!!!"
Scary.... Why they don't give me a smile?
I somehow felt as if I was scolded. I know I'm just chicken. If they had company giving me a dance like this movie, I would be able to feel relaxed when buying a hamburger.
MacDonald's customer service has definitely gotten worse in the US ever since its founder died. Although there might be some McD's where friendly employees can be found, the vast majority are cold and sometimes rude.
When I was a teenager I took a job at McDonald's. I tried to create a pleasant experience for all my customers, just as I hope to have a pleasant experience when I am a customer. (There is a great saying which dates back several thousand years: "Treat others like you like to be treated." It is called the Golden Rule.) Anyone who came to my register received a smile and a cheerful greeting from me, and I tried to be helpful and patient with everyone. All the other employees laughed at and teased me, though, for being nice to customers. I even overheard my manager talking to someone about the "corny, stupid smile" that was always on my face. Can you imagine? How can a manager think it's corny and stupid to be kind to customers? It wasn't long before I couldn't bear to work there anymore, and quit. I regretted giving up, but I was young and I didn't have the strength to work in such a miserable place.
A few weeks later, I ran into one of my former coworkers. She told me, "Ever since you left, customers keep asking where you are and saying they miss you." I felt sorry that no one was there anymore to give customers free smiles with their hamburgers.
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When I visited McDonald's (and other restaurants) in Japan, I was happy that I was always greeted cheerfully, and people helped me patiently even if I had trouble ordering something. I've heard it said before that Japan has the best hospitality in the world, and from my experience, comparing Japan with every other country I've visited in my lifetime, I'd definitely say it's true.
Thank you for your comment.
I'm impressed by your good mind, and I'm glad to hear that you could communicate your kindness and consideration to the customers. Actually, jobs offering a service, concerning with people, are very busy and tired, but we should try to do a good act like you.
I have a job concerning with many people right now, of course I have a lot of things makes me feel tired and unpleasant, but I try not to forget the Golden Rule you told me. Not only at working, but also at home. If we give it each other, it will bring a good circumstance.
"Treat others like you like to be treated." Oh, it's exactly for me...
I shouldn't forget that Rule at home also, because I'm easy to get angry at my husband... ^^;
This time was very interesting for me because I had many opinions and viewpoints from you all.
Hi Eiko,
This reminded me that I worked in Kentucky Fried Chicken in Sydney for nearly 6 years as a casual customer service staff (from high school to university). For KFC, there is a mystery staff and acts as a customer, order the food and check the staff quality, service, food and store environment and cleaning. The smily face on the staff is very important. I remembered once I had this mystery customer order during the peak hour. The report showed that I didn't smile to him. Hence, I had a warning from my manager.
Well, working in this kind of fast food chain shop for long years, I felt like a robot during peak hours at lunch & dinner. The customers keep coming. Of course, I had to speak louder and called 'Next' to next customer. Besides, it requires to finish each order in 1.5 minutes. It's so exhausted to show up my smiley face to every customer.
If it's not a busy time, I liked to chat with the customers esp the elderly ones or children.
My husband said that if he returned to young days, he wanted to work in MacDonald.
For me, it's a good working experience for me to deal with different customers esp the trouble ones like drunk guys or impolite people. I could practice and improve a lot of my English conversation esp Aussie slangs during that time. However, after I quitted this job, I didn't go to KFC or eat KFC chicken for more than 5 years.
Thank you for your comment and sorry for the late replay.
It's very interesting for me to know experiences and customs from everyone. MacDonald's has actually come from the US, but it has different styles individually.
We never know how we act to customers and whether it would be appropriate until we have an evaluation by someone. It contributes to make good, but I know it's not easy to accept everything, especially, keep showing up smiling face in peak time is not easy.. However it's the fact that the evaluation brings us a good experience.
When I was a high school student, I was working part-time at a bakery shop.
It was a little bit difficult for me in young age to speak polite Japanese, but I learnt some manner. Above all, I was very happy when I was given breads for free!
If I could return to young, I want to work at a bakery shop again!
I lived in Rockville, MD for 3 years and half. Despite the fact I'm poor at English.... I try to write about memories of life in the U.S to practice English. Maybe you will find many mistakes on it, so please correct them!
