Another unhelpful store clerk

So, while I really appreciate people posting, I thought this forum was for Americans living in the UK, rather than for UK nationals to rag on how rude Americans are. I don't really think tit-for-tat arguments are helpful and posts as such really co-opted my original post wanting to understand how that experience in the hardware store went so wrong.

Is there indeed a forum where only Americans can post?

I don't think anyone on the forum can tell you with any certainty why the hardware store incident happened. None of us was there with you, so all people can do is guess, share similar experiences or play devil's advocate. Everyday I speak to people who are confused by what I say. I think it's a combination of my not only having an American accent, but a Boston accent as well, so I talk very fast and the person I'm speaking to isn't prepared for it. Even DF has to ask me to repeat myself on a daily basis because he didn't catch what I said.

Also, the store clerk might have understood what you meant, but was afraid to get it wrong, so he or she "played dumb" to get more information out of you before he or she acted. I used to this when I was a store clerk and I wasn't entirely sure what was being asked of me. It can be embarrassing when the patron seems to know more about your job than you do.

Additionally, I think that UK nationals who post on this forum are a valuable resource to American expats. That is the other half of the equation isn't it? We're American expats in the UK who must interact with UK nationals on a daily basis. So, why wouldn't we want their perspective? Especially if they've lived in the US or have American loved ones. They have both a UK perspective and can relate to Americans. I think their presence on the forum is very helpful even if we don't always agree.

So, while I really appreciate people posting, I thought this forum was for Americans living in the UK, rather than for UK nationals to rag on how rude Americans are.

Only two people who have replied to this thread are born-and-raised British citizens. I'm one of them and I haven't said anything about rude Americans  .

I have US relatives and I have lived in the US on two occasions, spending more than 2 years over there. I joined this forum so I could share my experiences of living and studying in both the US and the UK and also to help out with any questions people had about living in the UK.

Is there indeed a forum where only Americans can post?

No, because that would be discriminatory - anyone is free to post on forums if they so wish, regardless of nationality.

Apart from the two native British citizens replying to this thread, most of the other people here are US citizens who are married to British citizens and/or have naturalised as British citizens themselves.

*Mod hat on

Please remember, this a public forum, as is such many different types of people will post.  We may not always agree with the response given, but we are all free to our opinions.  Mean, derogatory, and inflammatory comments towards other posters are not allowed (and as such a few posts have been modified/removed), but differing opinions are always welcome.   

We are indeed a wide variety of posters most are American, some British, a lot are now dual citizens!  ,  some Canadians, Aussies, Icelandic, French, Swedish, etc.  We all have different experiences and backgrounds and they can all be helpful.

To the OP, you aren't alone in your experience, but doesn't mean it will always be common,  a few searches on the advanced search will give you lots of views on customer service in the UK. 
 
Thanks

Don't get me started on rural France.

I guess I didn't want to  have a confrontation about it, I'm always slightly scared they'll chase after me and make a big scene, but yes, next time I'll be a bit more stingy. I tend to over tip in the US as the waitresses scare me anyway.

That has actually happened to me before. My friends and I received absolutely terrible service, and our very rude waiter actually chased us out and yelled at us in the parking lot for leaving around 10% for a tip. I always leave 15-20% in the US, but if the service is terrible, I don't see any problem leaving less. I understand that food can take a while and it's not the waiter's fault the kitchen is behind, so I'm understanding when I eat out and don't under tip for slow service, but I always do for rude service.

All of those stories are horrible! I would be SHOCKED if someone did that.  My parents were in Vegas and gave a cab driver the fare and told him to keep the change, and he was so annoyed that he threw it at them out the window! I had hoped that doesn't happen to too many people, but maybe I was wrong!

I think your parents had the same cab driver my husband and I did in Vegas!! We went from the mall back to our hotel, which was VERY close, but it was hot, I was hungover and my feet hurt, so needed a cab. It was probably only around $3.50, and my husband gave $5, but the cab driver got out and yelled at him! The concierge at the hotel had to hold back the driver and told us to go inside! It was really terrible. We went inside, still in shock, and calculated the percentage of tip we gave him, and it was over 20%!

I don't like feeling like I need to file for a restraining order in the US when all I want is a t-shirt

Haha... it's a big adjustment going from living in the UK, then returning to the US and going shopping. I was in a boutique in Chicago with my friend last year, and we were only browsing. I was looking at jeans on sale, and the sales girl approached me and asked what size I was, then she started bringing over tons of clothes and trying to make me try them on. I tried to explain to her that we were just looking and I didn't want anything, but she insisted. When she went to find me more clothes, my friend said, "Let's go NOW!!", and we booked it out of there. Obviously that's an extreme case, but I like to be left alone. If I need help, I'll ask for it.

Why is it that most shoppers want to be left in peace to browse but the management of retail shops make their associates hound anyone who walks in? Note that the salespeople get it that customers would rather approach them for help if needed and are only doing their job. The clerks very often have quotas for how many people they sign up as "friends" and so on and still have to do the hard sell even though they don't want to.

I've had a few walk up to me and ask if I need for help, then tell me they understand most people want to browse, and tell me where they will be if I needed assistance, but the boss had to see them approach as many people as possible. I was never sure if they were apologizing for bothering me, or letting me know they were actually only talking to me because they had to. The ones who ask if I need help, then tell me where they will be if change my mind are the ones who seem sincere about it.

It is a really fine line, because even (most) people in management know most people don't like to be hounded, but it is their job to make sure the employees hound people.

It will be interesting (odd) to get back to that, because it is so rare anyone here ever asks if I need help with anything. I've even had them walk away when I was trying to ask about something. Gee, thanks.