Learning how to treat a client has everything to do being a good one, too. On the day before Thanksgiving I was reminded of the many people who will have to provide excellent customer service to the anxious crowds of people awaiting great deals!  Imagine yourself on this day as the waitress who has to tell the customers "we ran out of pie" or as the cashier that is getting yelled at for being too slow. Picture yourself as the poor store manager who has to explain that they have just run out of the item everyone was in line for?  How would you handle it?

How to be a Good Customer:

1. Be Patient – Remember, there are a lot of people wanting the same thing as you.  Getting irritated, angry, pushy or argumentative isn’t going to make the situation go any faster.
2. Be Courteous – As a general rule, you should just be nice to people, even if they are not to you.  Just as your clients have bad days, we need to be the exception not the rule.  SMILE, say hello, make small talk.  I promise you, it will be a nice break from the yelling "I want, I want" they get all day. 
3. Be Respectful – These employees are busy.  If you have a question or a concern, be direct and to the point. 
4. Be Helpful – If you see someone in need, and you can help them… you should.  It’s the right thing to do.  You can also help by bagging your own products or taking your cart back to the store. 
5. Be Thankful – Remember to be appreciative and say thank you, this goes a long way.  If you didn’t get what you wanted, be thankful anyway. 

At the end of the day, whether you are at work or involved in your personal life, Customer Service is an integral part of our everyday lives.  What is most important to understand is that regardless of the specific role you are in at the moment, you want to be treated sincerely.  When you are a good customer, it assists you in getting what you need, and you just might make a friend along the way!

Great customer service begins and ends with a smile.