Originally Posted by
Wordbiker
... Daily I am expected to succinctly answer or perform all of the following:
-Greet every customer that comes through the door, but instantaneously read that person without judgement and assess whether that is exactly what they expect, whether they will perceive my greeting as being "sales accosted" leading to a defensive posture, and phrase it in such a way that cannot in any way, shape or form be taken as demeaning, patronizing, overly familiar, underly familiar, sexist, racist, discriminating, politically incorrect or disrespectful of any way that a person can be differentiated.
...
this post from back on page 2 of this thread was really well done, very perceptive.
we are blessed with a great LBS here, and I'd say the staff does all you describe pretty well! my wife is a regular customer (usually we go in separately), and is always treated well. there's only one woman on the LBS staff, though. but all the male staffers treat every customer right that i've seen.