Why Do They Ignore Me At 7-Eleven?

[saynora]

they were so kind when i first came. hellos all around and winning smiles. make a bloke feel fine to be alive. then after two weeks its as if im some dosser bout to nick the colemans. they only glance at me now in knowing contempt. what happened? this is my neighborhood shop!

[GarryP]

You're no longer a novelty.

[cardholder]

They don't sell Colmans at 7/11.

[supaprik]

maybe too much sun tan and your not a "whitey" anymore

[timekeeper]

next!.........

[surayu]

You're no longer a novelty.

how true is that ?!!

Yes i came to the same conclusions, they get so excited as soon as they see something new which breaks their day to day routines, then, as soon as they get use to it, the real part of them comes out....

Edit:

...and let me add, in some places, just by going there to make a purchase they will make you feel like you are sooooo UNwelcome and you are clearly bothering them, how you dare to interrupt their chatting/browsing the net/magazines/stare in the space/talking on the phone/texting messages/you write it/etc.... just to buy something??? don't you know that, after that, they will have to put back something on the now empty shelf, eventually even having to re-order it with all the inconvenience attached to this, how inconsiderate from you

Edited February 8, 2011 by surayu

[CharlieH]

You're are not the novelty ferang anymore, they know you are no longer the tourist so they drop the false LOS, now you get to see how Thais really feel........TIT

[PoorSucker]

Try taking a shower.

[nullx8]

i have actually oher experiences,

(exept in this shops where the answer of every question is "mod laew" or "mai mee")

but as for 7/11 .. they get used very quickly ..

i go 2-3 times a week in the very early morning to the 7/11 at the PTT gas station ... after not more then 4 times .. the staff asking me (after i put some random products on the counter) if i may want cigarettes too and WOW they know what i do smoke as well.

i noticed the same thing for other thai peoples there as well. ... seems like in the early morning .. always the same poples pop-in there (maybe thats why)

[Bobr]

You're no longer a novelty.

how true is that ?!!

Yes i came to the same conclusions, they get so excited as soon as they see something new which breaks their day to day routines, then, as soon as they get use to it, the real part of them comes out....

Edit:

...and let me add, in some places, just by going there to make a purchase they will make you feel like you are sooooo UNwelcome and you are clearly bothering them, how you dare to interrupt their chatting/browsing the net/magazines/stare in the space/talking on the phone/texting messages/you write it/etc.... just to buy something??? don't you know that, after that, they will have to put back something on the now empty shelf, eventually even having to re-order it with all the inconvenience attached to this, how inconsiderate from you

i went home for a visit in October (USA) after being here 4 years straight. The service in Thailand and the attitude of store clerks, waitresses and others who deal with the public is far better here than at home. The airlines are the best example, I refuse to fly any US carrier and prefer any of the Asian airlines.

[Moonrakers]

It's because you have the nerve to actually enter the shop and expect them to serve you.

[thailandbluegrass]

Who cares what the workers at 7-11 think of you?

[Berek]

Pick stuff off the shelf.

Line up with the other thais at the counter.

Wait while they pack it and give you straws and plastic spoons.

Have no idea what they say to you in rapid fire thai.

Look at the display to see the amount you owe.

Hand it over.

Collect change and happy cat stickers.

Have no idea what they say to you in rapid fire thai.

Say thank you and leave.

What do you want? A massage? They don't do any different to thai customers whereas at least I smile at them.

[ThaiRich]

Maybe it's something about you personally. Have you stopped practicing good personal hygiene since you've been in Thailand? Do you look at them and smile and greet them when you enter the store?

I've been going to my same 7-11 for nearly 5 years. The manager special orders things for me. If I dont' see somthing on the shelve I ask one of the clerks. Always a smile and a swadee krap and then in English "hello teacher or good morning teacher" I always get a "thank you" in English.

I guess an added note is I always interact with them. Whenever they make an attempt to speak English, even if it isn't very good. I tell them they speak very good and it gives them confidence and the next time I go in they try even more English. I find at 7-11 as with most Thais. They treat me as I treat them. If I walk into the 7 and glare at them and dont' speak anything. How can I expect them to speak to me?

[Ulysses G.]

Do you just wander around in the air-con and look or actually buy things every once in a while? It makes a big difference in how one is treated.

[appropriate]

The airlines are the best example, I refuse to fly any US carrier and prefer any of the Asian airlines.

I feel the same about the women.

[neverdie]

Do you just wander around in the air-con and look or actually buy things every once in a while? It makes a big difference in how one is treated.

Man I strut around in 7-11, sometimes I undo a couple of extra buttons on the shirt.....those ladies just can't get enuf of me , they're only human after all.

7-11 is one of Thailands greatest secrets and it certainly beats chasing tarts on the bar strip or attending dodgy thai karaoke knock shops.

ohhh yeah thats right, edit to say, sometimes I even pay for my purchases with cash instead of the doraemon stamps they hand out

Edited February 8, 2011 by neverdie

[WilliaminBKK]

Isn't it the same as family ? When you don't see them everyday you get so excited to see them ? If I had mine around all the time I am sure the smiles would be less LOL

[DP25]

Do you just wander around in the air-con and look or actually buy things every once in a while? It makes a big difference in how one is treated.

I sometimes see dogs in 7-11 taking a nap to get away from the heat, maybe the OP does the same

[steady]

Pick stuff off the shelf.

Line up with the other thais at the counter.

Wait while they pack it and give you straws and plastic spoons.

Have no idea what they say to you in rapid fire thai.

Look at the display to see the amount you owe.

Hand it over.

Collect change and happy cat stickers.

Have no idea what they say to you in rapid fire thai.

Say thank you and leave.

What do you want? A massage? They don't do any different to thai customers whereas at least I smile at them.

This person has got it right. The people working there don't really want to be there, or at least would rather be somewhere else. The customers have to be there...for a short time, to buy what they want. It's easy - get in, get out, stop effin about! That said it's best to be happy and smile, there are lots of workers who are just as happy when you take the time to smile and interact with them.

[tolsti]

I visit a 7-11 every week day on my way to work. The staff, as soon as they see me (no matter if they are serving or not) perk up with a 'good morning... toast Ham and Cheese?' They will then put it in the toaster and continue as normal (sometimes though they forget to switch it on first.)

They will always ask me and show me the toasted result as they know that I like the sandwich well toasted... then it's in the package... 22 baht on the 7-11 card and off I go... see you tomorrow.

It does rather throw a spanner in the works when I come in at 10 pm for some water on the way home or a couple of bottles of beer.... I still get the 'Toast Ham and Cheese' routine but with a curious look.

In Patong there are loads of people from nationalities with little English comprehension and it seems the inability to enter a series of simple numbers into a mobile phone....these kids just get on and top up their phones etc without a blink.

These young people work serious hours and I realise that for some hours things are slack....but I sure wouldn't want to do it.

[REM]

Who cares what the workers at 7-11 think of you?

Agreed!

[surayu]

Who cares what the workers at 7-11 think of you?

Agreed!

I do! everytime Saynora walk into the 7/11 he should get the attention every customer deserves, you didn't see their advertisement where a 7/11 employee with white gloves roll out a red carpet in the shop for the new customer? i should stop watching thai tv, but those ads, really.....

[Ijustwannateach]

Pick stuff off the shelf.

Line up with the other thais at the counter.

Wait while they pack it and give you straws and plastic spoons.

Have no idea what they say to you in rapid fire thai.

Look at the display to see the amount you owe.

Hand it over.

Collect change and happy cat stickers.

Have no idea what they say to you in rapid fire thai.

Say thank you and leave.

What do you want? A massage? They don't do any different to thai customers whereas at least I smile at them.

I like the line about the happy cat stickers....

If they're pleasant to me, I'm pleasant to them- it's always nice to give a smile, get a smile- otherwise they're busy, I'm busy. The only time I take their attitude personally is when there is clearly a line, someone pushes in front, and they go ahead and serve the pushy rude one- but that's a customer service problem everywhere here (I usually contribute to solving it by putting my erstwhile purchases on the floor and walking out- the staff can decide for themselves in the future whether taking the stock back to the shelves is less trouble than telling a rude customer to get in line).

[Lammbock]

Get yourself a Girlfriend!!!!

[thrilled]

hey hoss,ya need to dress like your rich.

[Travel2003]

Dear OP

Do you speak to the staff?

Smile and being polite?

Normally if one use the same store several times, the staff will remember you.

If you are always polite and maybe ask how they are, small chit chat, the attitude will (maybe not always) normally change.

I have seen visitors here in the various stores, whom seem to think they are some sort of VIPs and deserve absolute 100% attention while they are in the stores.

Also observed western customers in the 7/11s, lining up with their faces of stone.

PS.

Im not claiming OP is like that.

[Andyf]

i have actually oher experiences,

(exept in this shops where the answer of every question is "mod laew" or "mai mee")

but as for 7/11 .. they get used very quickly ..

i go 2-3 times a week in the very early morning to the 7/11 at the PTT gas station ... after not more then 4 times .. the staff asking me (after i put some random products on the counter) if i may want cigarettes too and WOW they know what i do smoke as well.

i noticed the same thing for other thai peoples there as well. ... seems like in the early morning .. always the same poples pop-in there (maybe thats why)

I've found that when I go to my local 711"s (Laksi way) they are great. But when I go to ones in town especially arround the Nana area they are sometimes very unsmiling, maybe because they have to deal with many farangs !!!

[RogueExpat]

i have actually oher experiences,

(exept in this shops where the answer of every question is "mod laew" or "mai mee")

but as for 7/11 .. they get used very quickly ..

i go 2-3 times a week in the very early morning to the 7/11 at the PTT gas station ... after not more then 4 times .. the staff asking me (after i put some random products on the counter) if i may want cigarettes too and WOW they know what i do smoke as well.

i noticed the same thing for other thai peoples there as well. ... seems like in the early morning .. always the same poples pop-in there (maybe thats why)

I've found that when I go to my local 711"s (Laksi way) they are great. But when I go to ones in town especially arround the Nana area they are sometimes very unsmiling, maybe because they have to deal with many farangs !!!

Not surprising. I have been to 7/11 in Nana area and actually witnessed foreign customers getting pissed off with the staff for not allowing discount on the price of ciggarettes and alcohol. Go figure....

[JohnnyFeelIt]

What are you expecting, a fan fair every time you walk through the door?

In some shops the general staff consensus will be foreigner friendly, in other shops it won't. It's the same anywhere.

Villa at Soi 33 has given me a chuckle on a few occasions, certain bag boys packing the bags stand and absolutely glare at the checkout girl's should they dare smile or so much as make eye contact with the farang..

Edited February 12, 2011 by JohnnyFeelIt