In the fast food place this evening...

[Le Taz Hot]

99. They don't train them in how to deal with customers,

only which buttons to press and how to read the board. I managed people for over 30 years and I always taught customer service skills AND phone skills. For example, when I worked retail, I'd teach them if you're really busy, you're the only one there and the phone rings, explain to the in-store customer that you are the only one there, that you are sorry but you have to answer the phone long enough to put them on hold and EXCUSE YOURSELF. When you answer the phone ask them, "Can you hold please?" AND WAIT FOR THE ANSWER! Don't just put them on hold. Ninety-nine out of a hundred times people will say, "yes." If they can't hold, ask if they can take down the name and phone number and ask if you can all them back when you're free. When you do put them on hold, when you get back to them say, "Thank you for holding, how may I help you?"

Bad customer service ends me as a customer at that establishment.

I don't care what the people above are saying (It's all about ME ME!) customer service skills are just as essential as any skills in the working world. I've gotten jobs (early in my working career) BECAUSE of my customer service skills. One never knows what will get you the job and those customer service/phone skills could tip the balance in your favor.