| Last week I went to a local pharmacy to have | | | | here. So "Let's talk." |
| a prescription filled. As I approached the | | | | |
| prescription counter I noticed a sign beside | | | | Again stone cold, icy silence followed by " |
| the cash register that said, " Let's Talk." | | | | Can I help you?" If you can't beat them, join |
| Considering it an invitation I said in a | | | | them so I too became cool, abrupt, assertive |
| friendly, cheery voice, " OK let's talk." and | | | | and said, " Mike Moore/ Doctor Quinn/ asthma |
| proceeded to say " How are you today?" The | | | | medication/ repeat required please. She |
| woman waiting on me was not amused. She | | | | checked the computer and found that I did |
| looked at me in frigid, non-responsive | | | | have 4 repeats left. I told her that I would |
| silence and finally said cooly, " Can I help | | | | be in at 10:00 a.m. the next day to pick it |
| you?" | | | | up and I left. I know I shouldn't have |
| | | | responded in kind but I was ticked off at the |
| It didn't take a degree in nuclear physics to | | | | way a paying customer was being treated. |
| figure out that she was totally ignoring my | | | | |
| humble attempt to be friendly so I too | | | | I wanted to hand the woman my card and tell |
| immediately responded to her icy tone with | | | | her that I spoke to companies and |
| one of my own. I gave her the information | | | | organizations on customer relations and would |
| regarding my prescription and was told curtly | | | | be more that happy to conduct a seminar for |
| that I was at the wrong counter. I was at the | | | | their employees on the topic. But I didn't. |
| "PRESCRIPTION OUT" counter when I should be | | | | |
| at the | | | | I'm not saying that dealing with the public |
| | | | is easy. It isn't. In fact it can be very |
| " PRESCRIPTION IN " counter. How silly of me | | | | stressful but you can neutralize the stress |
| to make such a mistake. Maybe that's why she | | | | with a simple smile and a bit of humor. All |
| was so unfriendly to me. I had committed a | | | | these people needed to do when I responded to |
| huge unforgivable sin in Pharmacy Land. | | | | their invitation to talk was smile and say in |
| | | | a friendly tone, "OK. Let's talk. What can I |
| As I approached the proper counter I once | | | | do for you?" |
| again saw the sign, " Let's Talk." and | | | | |
| decided to give the place a second chance. I | | | | Simple, easy, effective and it leaves your |
| looked at the lady waiting on me and said | | | | customer wanting to return to do business |
| once again in an upbeat and friendly tone, " | | | | with you. Isn't that what customer service is |
| The other woman who waited on me wasn't | | | | all about? |
| really in the mood to talk so I came down | | | | |