I enjoyed your commentary on polite behaviour (July 16 column by Gazette publisher Brian Bachynski). I have often experienced indifference when paying for purchases and understand your reaction.
This topic is another reason to encourage genuine small business. Believe me, every customer is a special guest to a small business owner.
One of my tactics, when clerks are talking among themselves, is to withhold payment. I don't put the money into their outstretched hand.
This usually causes them to look my way. Which, of course, is what I want them to do.
A drug store clerk in Edmonton was once complaining about how busy it is at Christmas time. My exact thought at the time: "This time of year probably pays your salary during the slower months."
Polite customer service relies on having something at stake in the sale and knowing you have something at stake. Hence, my praise for small business owners.
Irene Cornwell, Morinville
