Target store in Staten Island has mandated a new policy. Store employees must flash smiles at customers if they are within 15 feet of them. And if within four feet, they must engage in conversation welcoming them.
I used to go to Target, but stopped years ago when they didn’t put Christmas decorations in the store during season.
Customers, as well as some store employees, don’t agree with the new policy.
When I walk in any store, I don’t need anyone flashing a phony smile at me.
It’s not that I’m anti-social. It’s if I don’t know you, then I know you’re forced to talk to me.
There have been times when I needed to find an employee to check on a price and no one was around. Some stores have a call system buttons in the store. Press the button and an employee will respond to your call in person.
Right. The check is in the mail. Never happens.
Some stores have store greeters at the front entrance.
“Hello; How are you?,” some say.
Do they really want to know?
“Can you help me? I’m returning a misfit item and I don’t have the receipt.”
The smile fades. “Not my job, Bro.”
Or how about when you pay for your items at checkout, get your change, thank the cashier, and they say “no problem.”
What problem? I didn’t come in here with a problem.
If I ever go to Target again (not likely), I don’t want swarms of employees tailing, flashing smiles at me that I might misconstrue.
(Joseph Valente is a South Beach resident.)