What conversation are appropriate in a retail environment?

Question

I work as a bagger in the Commissary and I work solely for tips. That's great and all, but I never know what to talk about to the customers, so I am mostly quiet during the whole transaction. This is what I usually say: "Hey how are you? what is going on? I am doing pretty good. The weather is pretty nice or bad. Thank you, have a good day." It does not help that I am a very intreverted and socially awkward in the first place; to me talking to strangers is the equivalent of pulling teeth, I know it's got to be done, but I don't look forward to it. I am so tired of talking about the weather or what am majoring in and find that work is incredibly dull. I figured if I could come up with intresting conversation topics, the day would go by faster and my income would increase. But it is not like I can about religion and politics, that is way too explosive. I can't use my usual crude sense of humor or talk about things that would wierd them out. Can anyone tell me some dry and refined jokes that are still funny, and intresting things to talk about, that are not too wierd or profound? You really would be changing my life, lol.

BBG · Accepted Answer

Be VERY careful about humor.  What is funny to one person is offensive to another.

You are right to avoid talking about religion, politics, sex, etc. but there is nothing wrong with expressing interest in your customers.  

That being said, you DO NOT ask questions.  It's obnoxious.  You NEVER obligate someone to talk to you.  Instead you make BENIGN compliments which open the door to any customer who DOES want to talk.

For example, if a little old lady is wearing a fabulous 1950s hat you could say, "Ma'am, I like your hat."   Perhaps she will tell you about it, perhaps not.

If you see someone wearing a t-shirt for a band you can say, "Cool shirt.  I don't know that band."  I'll bet ten bucks they'll tell you about it.

If you see a business person with an awesome tech gadget you could say, "That's an amazing thingamigidgit you have."    

You see where I'm going with this?

jennifer h · Answer

A little funny is ok but do not go to heavy. Use a caring conversation. If you know what they have bought then comment how good a product they have. tell them you love yours or if it's food they have bought say something I love that cheese or whatever it is. Do you have a good recipe using that. Anything but of course the usual How are you today is always good. Or are you having a busy day. oh I look forward to my holiday. Have you any plans to holiday this year, Where are you going, Oh sounds fabulous I'd love to go there . Some people love a little conversation. Some have isolated lives and to go to the shop is a break for them and they just love to know there are caring people out there.

Tiffany W · Answer

Take cues from your customers.  Are they wearing sports or team oriented clothes, buying ingredients that you know are for something specific (For example, chicken noodle soup, orange juice, and vitamin C tablets, point to someone with a cold), using reusable shopping bags, have an outlandish tatt?  These are clues to conversation sparks.  
"I saw [insert sport team] on last night, they killed."
"Looks like someone caught a bug, I heard that leeks in soup help with a cold."
"It cool to see shoppers doing little things to help the environment."
"That is an interesting tattoo, how'd you come up with that?"

Also, don't feel like you have to talk.  Some customers aren't interested in gabbing.  They want their stuff and they want to be gone.  They will likely ignore you or give monosyllabic answers.

Rogue · Answer

you got it right about politics/religion - avoid that.
Just try to be slightly funny...

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What conversation are appropriate in a retail environment?

4 Answers