Oct
Have a nice day
Posted by The *Angriest* Pharmacist as Just a question, Rude, Salutations
“Have a nice day.” — “Have a good day.” — “Have a great day.” — “Have a good weekend.”
I refuse to say any variation of the above when I am working the register. It’s not that I’m not polite to people, I just feel that it means nothing. Everyone hears it all day long, with every purchase they make, every person they have an encounter with. With everyone saying this, it just means very little. There’s no power behind it. Also, does it really make you have a better day? Having a high school-aged cashier tell me, “Have a nice day,” does nothing for me. It doesn’t make me feel better, it isn’t an ego booster, and it certainly does not mean that I am going to have a good day.
Additionally, do we care if the person has a nice day? Most of the time our patients are sick, so they are not going to have a nice day. Sometimes, they are rude, so we don’t WANT them to have a nice day. Sometimes they are perfect, and we do want them to have a nice day. So, why don’t we reserve that for the people we enjoy, care about, and want to have a nice day — those great patients that love and respect us, that hug us and call in their refills early, that understand “the doctor did not call back” does not mean “the pharmacist won’t give you your medicine.” They deserve a great day. They get a little more out of me in terms of politeness. Everyone else does not get that from me.
So, is that rude? Am I wrong? I’m sure someone out there has some crazy reason for why I should say, “have a nice day” — or why they do. It’s not going to change my mind, but I will humor you.
What do I say to end a sale and say goodbye?
“Thanks a lot. We’ll see you next time.” — because hopefully, if I’ve done my job right, they’ll want to come back, whether for an Rx, beer, or a greeting card.
Have a nice day,
The Angriest Pharmacist
I only say it during consultation. I dunno, it just feels weird if I just end it like that.
Now that I think about it, when I worked as a cashier at the University bookstore, I never say “Have a nice day.” It was more like “Here’s your change. NEXT IN LINE PLEASE!!!” I think when they’re in the paying line, people are more worried about the line moving quickly as opposed to a nice humanly touch.
I feel the exact same way!!! After awhile, it starts to lose its meaning. I also refuse to say, “how are you?” The only thing I say at the register is “hello” and “bye”. I also make good eye contact. When I say “have a nice day”, I feel so fake and insincere.
Oh I do make sure to say thank you.
I am mister “impressive” medical condition, according to my doctor. I had an endoscopy today, and when I arrived at the appropriate place in the hospital, the receptionist asked me how I was doing…. [[ of course, that's the greeting-equivalent to the "have a nice day" nonsense ]]. For some reason, today I decided to answer this question with the observation that every patient that comes in the gastro-enterology clinic is, by virtue of the fact that they are there to have a camera on a cable inserted down their throat and inside there stomache and duodenum, and, in my case, have varices in the esophagus and stomache banded, and is probably not having a good day.
Thus, I propagated the dark cloud that is hanging over me.
If they are picking up something because they are sick/injured I usually tell them “Hope you feel better”, other than that I say “see you later”
Reminds me of the George Carlin routine. It’s fucking hilarious.
I feel the same way..i dont say have a nice day and I also HATE..how are you, how are you doing. It’s so fake no ones really going to tell the truth. So in both accounts instead of saying how are you doing I say…Are you working hard today…and instead of saying have a nice day I finsih with ….don’t let them work you to hard.
I always say hi, bye and thank you.
If it’s an uncommonly nice patient, or a regular who’s never rude, I will say “have a nice day”/”have a good weekend”/&c. Also, sometimes (when things aren’t as stressy as they usually are) the patient will chat a bit and maybe say that they are going on vacation or something, in which case I will say “have a nice trip”.
But to always say more than hi/bye/thank you feels really fake to me. And I don’t appreciate when it’s done to me when I’m a customer or patient somewhere.
I, too, say “I hope you feel better soon” when the patient is sick. I never really have a set ’sign off’ when other patients are leaving the pharmacy. If the weather is good, “enjoy the sunshine today”. If roads are icy or it’s raining really hard, “drive carefully”. For my favorite patients, a hug and a “See you soon”. I guess I just like to mix it up!
I’m a chain drugstore intern… and I always smile at customers after any transaction (in-window, too) and tell them to have a nice day/night/weekend… usually they smile back and say, “thanks, you too” …I just feel like it puts me in a better mood. And I work in a busy-as-shit, ghetto-as-hell store, but the customers seem to like me, generally. Several pharmacists have actually commented on my bedside manners and begged me not to quit lol
In my 10 years in retail I always said, “take care.”
I refuse to say “God bless you”. I don’t know, it’s just so trite. I don’t believe in “God,” and it just sounds so silly! When I sneeze I say “excuse me” because really, how is it any different than a cough, burp, or even a fart for that matter?!? If someone feels the need to “bless me” for my sneezing I just ignore them. Quit blessing me for sneezing!!!!
Yeah, I don’t say that either. It’s silly if you know where it came from — people believed the SOUL was “trying to escape from the body.” — So, going with the fact that god is imaginary, I don’t see how a soul fits in the equation either.
I hear what you’re saying and agree with you since I’ve seen the rudeness that the pharmacy staff generally has to put up with where I’m at.I go out of my way to be friendly,know people’s names and I’ve emailed the Corp. headquarters to point out what great service I’ve received from the Pharmacist and staff.
Recently I’ve noticed a change since a new young Pharmacist came on board. No longer are follow up calls made to the doc’s office,days that the prescription covers are wrong and then I’m told that I’m picking up too early. I’ve got cancer and some days flat out suck.When I walk up and hear ” you’re too early” on one of those days, it takes every fiber of my being to be pleasant and politely point out why.Those days I may not be as talkative but I always say “take care” since the way I feel is not their fault.
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