Evening star., 1937-11-25

q fuss that, to keep her business, the
employer has to discharge the person
against whom she has a fancied an
noyance. And the employer cannot
be too heavily blamed for his action
because. in this day and age, few can
afford to lose really remunerative
customer, even though his sympathy is
for his employe. And often, when one
OF these women gets off on her RAM
page, nothing will satisfy her but ac-
tual dismissal. In fact, many times
she will insist on the ak falling in
her presence, thereby gaining vicari-
Gus feeling of superiority.
So it is all her fault. The employe
is innocent, the employer would avoid
the issue of he could, and make
amends in any reasonable way, even
for an imaginary injury. But the GUS
toner wants her pound Of flesh, and
she is going to make plenty sure she
gets it. And it does her just as much
good as it would Shylock.
I don't say for a moment that the
customer never has legitimate cause
for complaint. Goodness knows,
there are plenty Of disagreeable peo-
pie on the selling end of the game
in this world. These can be irritat-
ing. downright insolent. inefncient
and unobliging to maddening de-
gree. But here is the difference.
They hurt no one but themselves.
They lose out on their jobs, In their
business and in their contacts with
their fellovmen. They settle their
own hash," so to speak, and nobody
has to attend to it for them. The
customer is as free as the air and can
go where she likes to spend her money.
But when the shoe is on the other
foot it behooves the customer to re-
member it.
WHEN you have a real complaint,
take the time and the trouble
to find out the real source of the
error. Don't batter the salesgirl or
whoever you are talking to into con-
fusion by giving her the scolding that
belongs to some one else Go straight
to that some one and put the facts
to him or her clearly. calmly, without
flying into rage like a fshwife.
Listen to his side of the argument.
state your case and your wishes.
Usually the matter will be cleared up
with no tantrums You will nnd that
you get quicker service and better re-
suits on whatever your grievance is
If you handle the matter with dignity
and restraint. OF course. if some one
is insolent to you entirely without
cause land be sure that you are really
honest with yourself on that point),
then you should take the matter up
with headquarters. No employer
wants people working for him who in
suit his customers gratuitously. But
never complain to a superior about
an employe under any other circum-
stances. Deal directly with the per-
son responsible for your trouble and
don't lose your temper while you are
doing it.
I know some people are stupid, in
efficient, possibly inattentive Well
we can't all be perfect. And, when
you have splitting headache, or your
feet hurt, or you are half out OF your
mind with worry over money and
illness in the family, are you as bright
and on your toes as you are when alls
well with your world? I don't be-
lieve so!
There is lovely old expression
"Noblesse oblige." Nowadays it is
growing a little rusty and tarnished
from lack Of use. Might I suggest
that it Is = good idea to look up its
true meaning, if it Is not entirely
clear to you. take it out and do q
little polishing up on it during these
busy days to come?