I temporarily work in a well known supermarket, and am specifically working in an area where customers scan there items by themselves.'Quick Check"
This one particular day, I was on my own, and had several customers needing my attention. I dealt with each matter the best I could, although their was one customer that hadn't signed up to use the machine, so I directed the customer to the right checkout briefly and kindly said :
'' Sorry sweetie, this machine is not a self-check out, you need to be served at the other designated check-out, or you can sign up here with quick-check''.
Soon after my supervisor came over and said a customer had complained that they didn't like being called ''sweetie''.
I was only being polite, and didn't mean for the customer to feel patronised. So does this mean we should all be robots, and not respond the way any human would?
I may be silly, it was one occasion, yet it bothers me..
what do you think?
Some people don't like to be called terms of endearment. However, this is their problem not yours and you had no way of knowing that.
To me, it sounds like you were trying to soften the blow of the customer having to adjust to the system and the customer was crabby about having to do it so complained about being called sweetie just to satisfy their need to be a jerk.
I mean really? It's not like you said "Hey you ignorant jackass, you can't use that machine. What a moron. Use that one over there."
It is not just that you called her "sweetie" but the fact that you did it so condescendingly that made her complain about you. Next time just all them madam or sir to be on the safe. Customers don't like you addressing them in a personal manner.
Usually you only call a sweet person like your boyfriend (if you can ever get one) "sweetie" - you don't use that word on randoms who you would not want to kiss.
It was a bit too informal. In a customer service setting, unless you know the person, never use what could be deemed a patronizing nickname. "Sorry ma'm/sir" would have been a better response. Since you have no idea what a customer might find patronizing, err on the side of caution.
More of a yes than a no. I'd feel indifferent if I was called that. I hate "bud" though. Some people would like that...some would take offense.
No one would take offense to not being called sweetie.....so the route to go is avoiding that type of language.
Sweetie...honey...words of endearment are also used for significant others....its sorta one step away from hottie.
There may be an alternate industry where sweetie might be acceptable...or if you were a 60 year old grandma...
Customers will complain about anything. Once had a customer report me because she said the word "seasonal" did not make sense. But I still addressed her as ma'm.
It's not ever good to call someone sweetie because it is personal.
Perhaps they were just having a bad day and took it personally in a negative way.
I don't mind being called sweetie by someone working in store as long as it wasn't condescending.
Now you know, just call them ma'm or sir from now on.
I know it must be really bothering but I hope things work out for you.
We all make mistakes but especially in the servicing field, customers are "always" right, even if they're the ones at fault.
In most cases, it is not proper to call a customer "sweetie", unless perhaps that customer is a toddler. It does sound patronizing, and may be offensive to thinner-skinned customers.
When a female who does not know me calls me "sweetie" or "honey", I assume that she is or was a stripper. Because that's how strippers often talk to people.
Just a thought.
This is a legit complaint but nothing to serious. The customer obviously felt uncomfortable and didn't want to be called anything but ma'am or miss. I would talk with your Mgr and see how they feel about the issue. Keep working hard and use this as a reminder that all people are different and you have to be careful what you say.
