New-York tribune., 1899-07-30
STOREEMPLOYES
BOOK OF RULES FOR THEIR GUID-
ANCE
PoLITENEss OF COURSE. IS URGED UPON SHOP
GIRLS. AND FLOOR WALKERS ARE TOLD
THAT THEY MUST BE WELL DRESSED
PACKING ABUSES POINTED OUT.

PACKING ABUSES POINTED OUT
In a little preface 70 his pamphlet, RULES and
Regulations for Store Employees" J. Angus
Macdonald. the author tells why he publshes
such compilation He has had many years
experience, he says, in holding responsive
places in large business houses, and has noticed
a great deal of room for Improvement In the
various departments OF such establishments
He thinks that a concise statement Of the most
important rules 70 be observed will be valua-
BILE. and there is certainly no doubt that If all
clerks, floor walkers. packers. etc, to whom
he gives instructions will be guided by them
there will be a general thanksgiving among
customers and shopping will be robbed Of many
OF its terrors 1t is far from correct. Of course
to assume that the store people are always in
the wrong There are some customers whose
ways are trying enough to make almost any
clerk lose his temper and leap over all rules
But Mr. Macdonald pays no attention TO that
side of the question-or only so far as TO state
that the employees attitude must always be
agreeable no matter what the provocation to
be impatient. NO matter how slow or annoy
ing the customer may be-" he says. the last
word on your part should be a pleasant one
Remember that you, in a measure represent
the dignity OF our house-a matter in which
we are extremely conscientious. While
a clerks ability and salary are judged by the
number Of sales yet we closely watch evidences
of patience with slow customers methods Of
displaying stocks, and general demeanor"
II is not to be denied that the general de
meanor OF some clerks might be improved by
close watching on the part Of a superior. Many
a shopper has learned to dread the supercllous
smile OF the man woman behind the counter
when a timid request is made for some lower
priced grade Of the article which is shown. 1t
is the look more than the curt statement, we
never keep any such thing as that which
makes the customer resolve 10 Try some other
establishment in future. Then there is the clerk
who has apparently lost all interest IN the
things Of this world. who stands listlt ssy in his
place and answers inquiries with an air OF such
complete indifference that one feels ike an in
truder and hurries away to a more congenial
atmosphere Perhaps the most annoying Of all,
however, is the clerk who after you have looked
at various things and cannot find ar article to
suit you. tells you by word or action that you
really ought to buy after wasting his time like
that He hasn't yet learned the time honored
maxim that 1T is no trouble TO show goods"
FINISHING UP" 4 CUSTOMER.
The author Of the Rules makes a good point
when he tells a clerk never 20 leave a pur-
chase partially concluded to e to luncheon
This is done every day. One girl calls TO an
other Mamie viii you finish ur my customer
this lady? I'm Goin' to lunch' and departs
leaving her work ln The middle and making 1t
necessary for the customer 10 60 all over again
the explanations as 90 what she wants An
other ancient grievance Of shoppers is the
amount Of attention which many clerks feel
obliged 10 pay 20 their own personal affairs ia
working time. Nj Macdonald says about this
NO conversation between groups of employees,
reading or writing personal notes or perusal of
books. newspapers etc, Will be permitted.
Manicurinc mendins Of garments etc, are
matters 20 be attended % elsewhere"
As a final paragraph in the directions 70
clerks he says. Avoid slang avoid gum. avoid
onion CD. tobacco drug or drink habits. Avoid
frowsiness BE honest. BE truthful. Re busi-
nesslike. BE a credit 20 sslf and to Us. and
promotion cannot help following
Floor walkers have had general reputation
for being well dressed and impressive, II some
times slightly awe inspiring individuals, and
the author Of the Rules evidently wishes them
to be the glass OF fashion and the mould Of
form" In the first sentence to them he Gays
you are expected to dress in taste. a frock
suit white linen shirt and collar, with black
satin tie. is the preferable attire. Only a gen
tleman should fill this position. Keep clear.
cool head and pleasant manner Learn
to know customers by names and faces. and
tread that golden mean between familiarity
and reserve Never engage in a lengthy discus
sion with any customer to the detriment Of
other interests" But the floor walker has some
other duties besides "nndng his manners.
Various other instructions of no special interest
10 customers. are laid down for his guidance.