"7-Eleven staff called me a f****** b**** because I forgot my IC"
STOMPer Lynette said she experienced rude service from a 7-Eleven staff who hurled vulgarities at her, when she went to purchase a pack of cigarettes.
The STOMPer recounted this unpleasant incident:
"On 21/06/08, at approximately 3am, I walked to the 7-eleven store at Orchard Plaza to purchase a pack of cigarettes.
"However, I left my bag behind with my friends and only brought my wallet with me. Therefore, when the cashier, who looked around his 20s, asked me for identification, I was unable to produce my I/C but instead a few membership cards of nightclubs, which he shrugged off and remained insistent on my I/C.
"What really appalled me was his terrible service attitude towards me. Firstly, he was being very rude in asking me for my identification and also in refusing my purchase. He did not make an effort to explain or inform me in a pleasant and courteous manner, but resorted to rolling his eyes and raising his voice.
"Finally, he began hurling verbal insults at me, calling me crude things like “f****** b****”.
"I understand the store’s policy on underage sale of cigarettes and the necessity for proof of identification, however I feel the service staff’s attitude in turning down customers should not be acceptable.
"Later on, I returned to the same store with my identification. Despite showing my proof of age, I was again treated with horrible attitude from the same service staff. This time, he was pointing fingers, shouting, and threatening to call the police constantly.
"When I asked for the manager’s name and number, he answered with a raised voice, saying that he was the manager at the outlet and to “bring it on”.
"He finally sold me a pack of cigarettes and I left the store without further communication.
"This incident has left me furious, and also with a very deep impression on the slack service standards implemented by service staff in Singapore. Especially in tourist popular Orchard Road, this issue raises a huge concern on how service staff portray an image of Singaporeans.
"I feel that no matter how difficult a customer is, “the customer is always right” still stands as an important policy of the service industry. I suggest proper training and instructions to be given to staff to improve their attitudes and standards of service."
STOMPer Lynette said she experienced rude service from a 7-Eleven staff who hurled vulgarities at her, when she went to purchase a pack of cigarettes.
The STOMPer recounted this unpleasant incident:
"On 21/06/08, at approximately 3am, I walked to the 7-eleven store at Orchard Plaza to purchase a pack of cigarettes.
"However, I left my bag behind with my friends and only brought my wallet with me. Therefore, when the cashier, who looked around his 20s, asked me for identification, I was unable to produce my I/C but instead a few membership cards of nightclubs, which he shrugged off and remained insistent on my I/C.
"What really appalled me was his terrible service attitude towards me. Firstly, he was being very rude in asking me for my identification and also in refusing my purchase. He did not make an effort to explain or inform me in a pleasant and courteous manner, but resorted to rolling his eyes and raising his voice.
"Finally, he began hurling verbal insults at me, calling me crude things like “f****** b****”.
"I understand the store’s policy on underage sale of cigarettes and the necessity for proof of identification, however I feel the service staff’s attitude in turning down customers should not be acceptable.
"Later on, I returned to the same store with my identification. Despite showing my proof of age, I was again treated with horrible attitude from the same service staff. This time, he was pointing fingers, shouting, and threatening to call the police constantly.
"When I asked for the manager’s name and number, he answered with a raised voice, saying that he was the manager at the outlet and to “bring it on”.
"He finally sold me a pack of cigarettes and I left the store without further communication.
"This incident has left me furious, and also with a very deep impression on the slack service standards implemented by service staff in Singapore. Especially in tourist popular Orchard Road, this issue raises a huge concern on how service staff portray an image of Singaporeans.
"I feel that no matter how difficult a customer is, “the customer is always right” still stands as an important policy of the service industry. I suggest proper training and instructions to be given to staff to improve their attitudes and standards of service."
