Show A Little Respect

To the Editor:

     A few weeks ago I received a community service project in my government class. I chose to write a letter to the editor so I could share my thoughts with my community. To me that is a way of making a change. I feel that if I reach out and just touch one person, then that is good enough for me.

I work in a store in a nearby town, which will remain nameless. I have been working there for a little over a year and there is only one problem I have with it. I realized a few days ago that the problem was not with the store; it was with the customers. As an employee I am supposed to always have a good attitude and respect all of the customers and other employees. However, I don’t understand how and why this respect is deserved. They treat me as if I am not one of their own just because I am working at a store, where I may be overqualified. I don’t think that they have realized that when they have a question, yelling at me and giving me a big attitude will not increase my chances of helping them. I just hope that customers treat the employees with respect because we are there to help them. There is no doubt that my persona gets degraded throughout my shift by how I am treated. There should be no difference between how an employee is treated regardless of who they are; they are there to help the customers. My aim of this letter is to bring general awareness of the topic. It seems small, but it wears on every employee who works behind a counter. Please take this in consideration when in any store in the future. Respect is only earned if respect is shown.

Sincerely,

Laura Howard

10 Elizabeth Street, Newtown                                     May 23, 2001.