# Time for the Monthly Customer Service Rant! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 12, 2003, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-monthly-customer-service-rant/218490 "2003-12-12T01:36:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![7\_up\_yours](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/919ad9/32.png) [@7\_up\_yours](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/7_up_yours)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-monthly-customer-service-rant/218490/41 "2003-12-12T18:59:41Z")
Speaking about the area where I live in where it’s has a large multicultural (i.e. Chinese) population, there’s lots of Chinese restaurants available around here. There’s actually two types. One kind is like a cafe that serves steaks and what not, but also fried rice and noodles. These are very westernized, although it’s hardly thought that way, and in general terms, are still thought of Chinese restaurants. The other kind is the “traditional” Chinese restuarants with your traditional dishes. None of the steaks or what not for each person, but if you want food, it comes in a large plate and you order it and you share it with who ever is sitting at your table. These restaurants don’t have fries. Ever. So, it depends on where you live and what kind of restaurants (vs. cafes) you go to, if you want to get fries. ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-monthly-customer-service-rant/218490/42 "2003-12-12T19:11:41Z")
**Bren\_Cameron** has pegged it. None of the things mentioned _alone_ would be much to get that upset about, but when they happen over and over, in the same shift, they can drive one stark raving _mad_. The only thing that probably wouldn’t irritate me in the OP’s rant (and I worked in the industry for a _looong_ 8 years) would be the beer thing, because that really isn’t the customers fault. They shouldn’t have to worry that there’s enough of something to go around, that’s not their problem. I’d get irritated at whoever is in charge of ordering supplies for that one. I’d be irritated at the _situation_, but not the customer. But the 20 top walking in without a reservation? That’s just stupid. At lunchtime? That’s even stupider. That’s more of a common sense thing. The seperate checks thing? Well, read my link to get my position with a LONG explanation on that one. The throwing cash thing? It _does_ happen, and it’s quite rude. Fingernail tapping? That irritates me anyway. I can’t stand people who do that. I realize it’s habit for a lot of people, I just find it personally annoying. People letting their children run around all crazy like? I’ve kicked people out of resturants (with the managers permission of course) who couldn’t keep their children under control. If anything happened to their little darlings, who do you think they’d blame? Certainly not _themselves_! Not to mention the fact that it’s increadibly rude to the other customers. The standing at the counter thing? Not an irritant if it’s one or two people. Maybe they just didn’t know. But after the fifth or sixth person? Get with the program people! Did you not _hear_ the cashier ask the five people before you to move over so the next person could pay/order? Some people seem so immersed in their own little worlds, I wonder how they function in society. And I am quite relieved I’m not the only one who thinks french fries being served in a Chinese restaurant is a tad bit _odd_. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-monthly-customer-service-rant/218490/43 "2003-12-12T19:13:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Knowed Out \* > \*\*Some points to ponder: > > **People who rudely toss their money/credit/debit cards at me.** > Toss? As in, flick at you like a shuriken? Or do they flip it out of their wallet/purse/fannypack on the counter in front of you? I must confess, I’ve never seen anybody do this. Of course, they might make a show of handing their card over to display to everybody behind them that’s it platinum, money green, got a cool holographic image, whatever. But actually tossing it? I would think the concern over losing their plastic overrides how cool they look displaying card juggling skill.\*\* Yep, flick. I don’t know what a shuriken is, but it sounds like something that could hurt me badly and I’d like to stay away from it. **People who order on their cell phone.** Hey, it’s my only phone, and it probably won’t be long till all households are this way, so better get used to it.\*\* [/QUOTE] Could you fix the volume on it, though? Please? **People who ask for french fries.** I’ve been to several Chinese buffets (hog troughs) that have french fries, french bread, jelly babies, sushi, teriyaki, etc. Successful Chinese restaurant owners know what their fat American customers like to eat.\*\* [/QUOTE] Trust me, there’s plenty of “American” food on the menu, just not fries. Fried rice, but not french fries. **People who place orders and never pick them up.** Woohoo, free dinners for the wait staff! \*\* [/QUOTE] Ick, no. I don’t want something that’s been sitting in the holding counter for five hours. It’s all cold and nuking it doesn’t help. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-monthly-customer-service-rant/218490/44 "2003-12-12T19:16:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bad News Baboon \* > \*\*People are also fond of pulling money out weird places. I have had people pull money out of their shoes (ew!), their bras and what appeared to be their underwear. \*\* If I ever saw someone pull money out of their underwear, I would scream. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![7\_up\_yours](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/919ad9/32.png) [@7\_up\_yours](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/7_up_yours)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-monthly-customer-service-rant/218490/45 "2003-12-12T19:18:06Z")
Oh, I’d also like to add that the cafes are hold in the same regard as the “traditional” Chinese restuarants, if not higher (because of the cleaniness and flexibility). There’s none of that “What?! Fries and steak?! That’s not Chinese food, you heathen!!” Then again, it’s all pretty lax here and people know what’s what. ---
**Author:** ![Akatsukami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea666f/32.png) [@Akatsukami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akatsukami)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-monthly-customer-service-rant/218490/46 "2003-12-12T19:47:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by 7 up yours \* > \*\*Oh, I’d also like to add that the cafes are hold in the same regard as the “traditional” Chinese restuarants, if not higher (because of the cleaniness and flexibility). There’s none of that “What?! Fries and steak?! That’s not Chinese food, you heathen!!” Then again, it’s all pretty lax here and people know what’s what. \*\* _ **Cleanliness and flexibility** _?! :eek: **7** , despite Canada being the vichysoisse of nations[sup]1[/sup], I don’t make fun of it…much. However, in _some_ countries, there are Chinese restaurants that actually have cloth tablecloths and foods than aren’t deep-fried in grease older than I am. I presume that Canada _does_ have Chinese restaurants that _aren’t_ part of the “Wo Fat’s Roach Sanctuary and Auto Lube” _hui_? [sup]1[/sup]Cold, half French, and difficult to stir. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-monthly-customer-service-rant/218490/47 "2003-12-12T19:55:13Z")
I might add that the Chinese places I’ve been to that served fries were all buffet places. The regular restaurants don’t serve fries as far as I know. They do serve dogs and cats though. [joke] **Spazcat** , there’s a shuriken [on this page.](http://www.completemartialarts.com/information/weapons/weapons.htm) Nasty little weapon. Maybe you can display a few behind you so your customers will think twice before acting like jerks to you. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-monthly-customer-service-rant/218490/48 "2003-12-12T20:04:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Knowed Out \* > \*\ ***Spazcat** , there’s a shuriken [on this page.](http://www.completemartialarts.com/information/weapons/weapons.htm) Nasty little weapon. Maybe you can display a few behind you so your customers will think twice before acting like jerks to you. \*\* I am askeert. That _is_ a nasty little de-vice. ---
**Author:** ![7\_up\_yours](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/919ad9/32.png) [@7\_up\_yours](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/7_up_yours)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-monthly-customer-service-rant/218490/49 "2003-12-12T20:18:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Akatsukami \* > \*\*_ **Cleanliness and flexibility** _?! :eek: > > **7** , despite Canada being the vichysoisse of nations[sup]1[/sup], I don’t make fun of it…much. However, in _some_ countries, there are Chinese restaurants that actually have cloth tablecloths and foods than aren’t deep-fried in grease older than I am. > > I presume that Canada _does_ have Chinese restaurants that _aren’t_ part of the “Wo Fat’s Roach Sanctuary and Auto Lube” _hui_? > > [sup]1[/sup]Cold, half French, and difficult to stir. \*\* Nice attempt at being condescending. I’d would like to point out that I wasn’t speaking for _Canada_ but the area I live in. If you will, refer to a poster above me that talks about Montreal’s Chinese restaurant standards. Also, I don’t want to turn this into a pissing contest of who knows Chinese food more (and it does, oh well) but I know my stuff. You see, I have Chinese food **every night**. Well, aside from when I go out with my friends, but I’ve grown up eating Chinese food, day after day, eating in “real” restaurants and the “westernised fake” restaurants, comparing it to Vietnamese cuisine, Indian cuisine, yada yada yada, the list of my food tasting achievments goes on. Point is, the view that Chinese Cafes vs. Chinese Restaurants is equivilant to Fast food vs. Sit down restaurants is well, a false notion. If you will, please find a chance to visit Hong Kong :rolleyes: , you’ll discover that there are both cafes and “real” restaurants and no one will look down on either one, because well, Chinese food is very diverse. By the way, Chinese food at home != Chinese food in cafes or restaurants. Hard to describe what it’s exactly like, but if you honest to god want authentic-no-shitting-Chinese food, head over to China and have a meal with a family. If you want to talk about authentic, there’s nothing any Chinese restaurant can offer you that is such. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-monthly-customer-service-rant/218490/50 "2003-12-12T20:21:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Akatsukami \* > \*\*_ **Cleanliness and flexibility** _?! :eek: > > **7** , despite Canada being the vichysoisse of nations[sup]1[/sup], I don’t make fun of it…much. However, in _some_ countries, there are Chinese restaurants that actually have cloth tablecloths and foods than aren’t deep-fried in grease older than I am. > > I presume that Canada _does_ have Chinese restaurants that _aren’t_ part of the “Wo Fat’s Roach Sanctuary and Auto Lube” _hui_? > > [sup]1[/sup]Cold, half French, and difficult to stir. \*\* I’m in Canada. I’ve never been to a Chinese restaraunt like the one **7** describes. Ever. They’ve been clean, nice and good food. Perhaps I’ve just been lucky. ---
**Author:** ![Akatsukami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea666f/32.png) [@Akatsukami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akatsukami)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-monthly-customer-service-rant/218490/51 "2003-12-12T20:25:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by 7 up yours \* > **Nice attempt at being condescending.** Thank you. I try. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2003, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-monthly-customer-service-rant/218490/52 "2003-12-12T23:28:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BayleDomon \* > \*\*As for the rest of your snotty post–well, there’s always gotta be at least one in every thread, like **GMRyujin** predicted. God forbid someone lets off a little steam about their job. \*\* Oh, yea. Some people have the Customer Is Always Right stick wedged so far up their asses that only that brand of bullshit can come spurting out. Because shitty jobs are a holy calling we should be grateful for, not a hellhole we’d love to get out of. And I’ve never seen a Chinese place with fries, just to weigh in on another controversial issue. ---
**Author:** ![Eman\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Eman\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eman_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-monthly-customer-service-rant/218490/53 "2003-12-13T00:14:11Z")
Just wanted to add that I’ve been to Chinese Restaurants that serve fries. And spaghetti. And pork chops. Maybe it is a regional thing… But even then, why would you order fries at at chinese restaurant? ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-monthly-customer-service-rant/218490/54 "2003-12-13T05:22:52Z")
I’ve never seen a Chinese place with fries, per se, but I’ve seen several buffets, both in Texas and New York, that had “pepper potato” - potato wedges lightly fried (not deep-fried, i think they stir-fry them) and doused with salt and pepper. I have people throw money at me too. Or count out their change and leave it on the edge of the counter nearest to them, then make no effort to move it towards me, so I have to reach across the counter and kind of slide it over towards me without putting my hand too close to them so they can’t go crazy on me trying to touch them or something. Seriously, they’ll count out these piles of pennies and leave them two inches in front of their chests, on the opposite side of the two-foot counter. This morning some lady pulled a wad of dollar bills out of her shirt (they must have been in her bra); when she handed them to me they were **damp**. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2003, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-monthly-customer-service-rant/218490/55 "2003-12-13T16:24:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kp\_72110 \* > \*\*I think you should seriously consider a career change. Perhaps a back-office job or warehouse/factory work where you don’t have to deal with the public. > > \ > > \*\* Perhaps you would rather be served by cheerful robots. If that is the case, start drawing up those blueprints now. If the thought of robots serving you in minimum-wage jobs disturbs you, then perhaps you should go with the Raisins girls from last Wednesday’s South Park. “Boy am I glad you showed up, **kp\_72110**. Everyone else here is a loser, but you seem really cool.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-the-monthly-customer-service-rant/218490.md?page=2)