The *Angriest* Pharmacist You want your prescription filled when? Eat shit…

Have a nice day

"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