Online Hijinks And Mall Malaise.

Well, I went into the college today to pay for parking. I found out once I got there that I was too early to pay for parking. There was apparently a window between when the online registration ended, and when you could buy it in person. This wasn't really explicitly stated on the college website, so my confusion was warranted. The problem wasn't so much that I made this mistake, but that I got the response of "Did you read the website?" from the staff. Feeling I didn't want to waste my trip I went over to Student Financial to see if my OSAP loan was available for pickup. Once again I was thwarted, and asked, "Did you read the website?"

I've had enough of that response, and let me tell you why. We pay people to be staff members at help desks, or information counters. Asking if I read the website is not doing your job, it's avoiding doing your job. You get paid to be helpful and important, not difficult and priggish. There's too many industries where customer service is in serious decline. So often to we expect that people can help themselves with self-serve options at gas stations, help line, banking, etc. This is one avenue where technology is not serving anyone any better. I have little doubt I can explain a situation better and more efficiently than any website.

The only sector in which customer service is not only a must, but it's actually getting better and achieving some amazing heights. This is the server or waiter position. A waiter has an interesting job, in that they are sort of on commission (tips), and the product they're selling is themselves. No matter how good or bad the food is, if the service is exceptional it can make the entire experience worthwhile.

I've found this is why Pier 1 is a bit of a rarity. As a non-commission based company we still try to excel in customer service. It's a bit of an old fashioned approach really. Back when department store employees sought you out and helped you rather than stand at the register waiting to ring you through. And speaking of the mall, here's the second half of this little tirade.

I remember when I was young and loved going to the mall, and my parents hated going. I thought, "That'll never be me when I get older, I love the mall!" Sadly time caught up with me and I find myself loathing the mall, and it's for a number of reasons. One of the reasons is that I generally despise the "mall rats" or the teenagers who hang out at the mall. For the ones with money they're decked out in all the latest fashions from American Eagle and West 49. If they aren't packed with money they still look ridiculous as both groups of kids end up looking like their clothing doesn't fit one way or the other. Skinny jeans, baggy jeans, over sized hoodies, unlaced shoes, etc. It drives me nuts how children like this can get money from their parents to actively look like they're missing a chromosome.

Also on the list of why I hate malls is the stores in malls. They either have bad, loud music on, have the noxious smell of some perfume/cologne, or are so prim and proper I feel out of place even being in them.

I think this rant lost a bit of steam as I took a break in the middle of writing it to go to work for four hours.