We were just discussing disabilities in relation to shopping, and a question popped into my head. Is it wrong to help a customer who is permanently or temporarily disabled?
There seems to be a very similar breakdown of percentages of physically disabled customers, both temporarily and permanently, who either gladly accept the help offered to them, or blow off the clerk who’s offering help by saying something along the line of: “Do I look like I need your help!?” (um, yes you do…) or “I can manage by myself!”, in a snappy tone of voice. Sure, many customers refuse the help politely, but mainly it’s “thank you so much”, or “go away, I don’t need you help”. It’s because of the angry customers with disabilities why I’ve asked this question.
Any clerk SHOULD ALWAYS atleast offer assistance to a disabled customer, regardless whether they’re in a wheelchair, on crutches, or have their arm in a cast.
The topic of this post would be a non-issue, were it not for several personality quirks which some disabled, or “physically challenged” customers possess. (I don’t know which term is politically correct, the one that would not offend, so I’ll just use whatever pops into my mind. I apologize.) [edit: 23.10.07]
Back to the quirks. Regardless of whether you’re in a wheelchair or just have a cast on a few of your fingers, if a clerk offers you help, either accept it thankfully, or reject it politely. It’s that simple.
I realize that not all people are the same. There are multitudes of varying levels of physical disabilities, and rarely are clerks taught how exactly to respond to each such situation. This is where we, the clerks, need your help, to make your shopping experience pleasant and effective. That’s really what this thing is all about.
If you, the consumer, are physically disabled in a way which diminishes your ability to shop efficiently, don’t hesitate to ask for help from the clerks, if you need help. That’s what the clerks are there for.
If you don’t need help when it is offered, it is perfectly ok to politely turn down the offer. The keyword here is POLITELY. No screaming, no snapping, no crankiness. The clerk, when offering assistance, is NOT looking down at you for your disability, thinking you’re any lesser of a person. It’s either store policy to offer help, or the clerk is doing it to be NICE.
Oh, and to all you customers who aren’t disabled: you’re going to have to wait your turn patiently if the only clerk in the store is helping a disabled customer. Every customer is to be treated equally, it’s just that some customers really do need extra assistance. If you were in that wheelchair, you’d appreciate the help, wouldn’t you?
If you have a story relating to this post, from either side of the counter, let’s hear it!
The customer is NOT always right. If you agree with this, or wish to know what to do and not do as a consumer, please subscribe to this blog’s updates by the way of the RSS feed or email subscriptions. Thank you for shopping at the Consumer Etiquette Guide, now go and make someone have a nice day at work!
October 23, 2007 at 2:38 pm |
‘The topic of this post would be a non-issue, were it not for several personality quirks which disabled, or “physically challenged” customers possess.’
‘Personality quirks’ are definitely not unique to customers with disabilities! I’m sorry to hear about your experiences offering help to customers with disabilities only to be met with a rude reply- that’s just uncalled for. As a wheelchair user I appreciate the offer of help, as sometimes I can’t reach something in a store- but I’m always polite when declining help if I don’t need it!
October 23, 2007 at 3:56 pm |
@baliwhat: The personality quirks I was talking about, as you pointed out, are definitely NOT unique to people with disabilities. (Should have phrased that better: “…personality quirks which SOME disabled…”)
I don’t have any actual statistics on this, but it atleast seems that people without disabilities tend to be, on average, more likely to have these quirks. I’ll get to them in MANY future posts, but with this one I was merely focusing on the disabled.
Behaving as you seem to while shopping is what makes it easier for the clerks, so thank you on everyone’s behalf.
July 19, 2008 at 11:26 am |
Politeness is such a vague concept. There are so many cultural differences and really, who could deny the fragmented ideas about what it correct. About Politically Correct terms, well that’s just unfortunate that someone needs a wheelchair, or whatever other form of assistance. People need to accept that this is their situation!
If I say handicapped, that’s my perception of it. The person doesn’t have to take on the identity of helplessness, but let’s face it, they simply cannot do everything they could without their handicap!
How much should/could/would the rest of the world accomodate this? Be real.
If you’re handicapped, than it’s your task to ask for help if you need it and not get angry if someone doesn’t offer it.
I once needed to use the handicapped toilet because the wait was very long. Someone rolled into the toilet and saw me leave. I had to deal with his anger at the fact that I had used it, even though it was immediately ready for his use upon entry. He was very rude! Isn’t that all part of the reality we ALL have to face, handicap or not, lines to the toilet? I never have had a problem with the fact that I had to wait for a handicapped person receiving assistance before me (airplanes, restaurants, etc.) At the same time, I do set a limit as to what I tolerate as somone else’s problem and do not simply accept rudeness. People have to learn to accept their situation…all people.
July 27, 2008 at 8:44 pm |
I am permanently disabled. I DO NOT appreciate anyone offering to help me including sales clerks. It is offensive. It is insulting. It’s tantamount to saying, “I think you are so stupid you don’t know when you need help – therefore I will embarass you by asking you.” If I need your assistance I will ask. Because I am physically handicapped does not mean I am mentally handicapped. Please mind your own business.