Happened to me yesterday. All I did was help them out with a couple of produce items at the Uscan. They said thank you, followed up with a hug. He was with his brother. Maybe it was part of his culture, I dunno. But they were friendly and seemed very grateful I helped them.
I just completely wasn't expecting it. And I'd never seen these people before.
You never know what really effects people, just you doing your job and being friendly might be something the customer is NEVER received before. I worked the same stores long enough that I wasn't just an "Employee", I was myself and customer knew I was there to help and be a normal person. I could be off the clock wearing a t-shirt and customer would call me by name and interact with me, inside and outside the store. I thing the company has forgot about the 4 KEYS, PEOPLE....PRODUCT, PRICE, EXPERIENCE!! Customer can tell when a customer is phoning it in!
I see this woman I knew growing up. We went to elementary school together, and had senior English in high school together. I always had a bit of a crush on her, but she was always way out of my league. I don't think I said more than 10 words to her during our entire senior year.
I'm 31 now, so I am completely embarrassed to only be a Kroger cashier and tried to avoid her.
The first time, I was able to dodge her. The second time, we had a brief conversation about my excellent long hair (I'm a metalhead off the clock).
The third time, she just ran up and hugged me. Should have got her number, right? I was so completely shocked that a pretty girl randomly hugged me that she looked disappointed at my reaction. And she was shopping with a large, handsome, muscular guy. Plus I still live at home.
Damn. I'm still kind of wondering what that was about and about how bad I screwed up.
Otherwise, I tend to remind grandmotherly types of their sons or grandsons, which occasionally results in a hug.
