It Seems I'm Not the Only One...

In this article (http://www.dispatch.com/features-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/11/09/20061109-B2-04.html), the author writes about the way idle conversation amongst employees can ruin the experience for the customer. I agree with the fact that this can be annoyance for the customer; however, I do feel that all personal conversations should be stopped.

From my own experience as an employee at a liquor store, I believe that some conversation can be entertaining for the customer as long as the customer is invited into the conversation. There have been many times when my fellow employees and I have been in a debate and we have asked for the opinion of the customer whether we knew him/her or not. Often times this can lead to a fifteen minute conversation with the customer. This can be beneficial to the company in that the customer will feel that he/she knows the people who work at a particular store. This will develop customer loyalty.

In essence, I do believe that it can be an annoyance to the customer when employees who should be focussed on the customer pay more attention to their own personal conversations; however, there are times when friendly banter is not only appropriate but also beneficial.