No Chilly Ah?

The phrase “no chilly ah?” seems so harmless, yet it was this particularly phrase that stirred up many unpleasant feelings within an individual.

Customer K ordered fried rice from Stall Holder A. Stall Holder A got it ready on a plate neatly and that was when Customer K asked the fried rice to be packed instead. Alright, Stall Holder A did the transfer expressionlessly, but Customer K apologized anyway. When Stall Holder A packed everything nicely and passed it to Customer K and asked for payment, Customer K added, “No chilly ah?” Stall Holder A became a little (only mildly) agitated and said, “Of course have. You never say mah?” Nevertheless, Stall Holder A unpacked the food just to add a spoonful of chilly within. The payment was done and Customer K left.

I thought that’s the end of the “boring” story.
I was quite wrong.

All the while Stall Holder B (an assistant to Stall Holder A) was observing. I mean Stall Holder B wasn’t the one doing that sales or that transaction, but she was there beside Stall Holder A. Her eyes did not leave Customer K after she said, “No chilly ah?” It was pretty much like staring. And just when Customer K had left, she had an out-pour of comments in a rather unpleasant tone. Yes, even when there were a few more customers on the queue in front of the stall.

“What no chilly?” (Erm.. What’s the big deal in the first place?)
“Never say, how would we know?” (True. But Customer K said it. Perhaps her timing of doing so was inappropriate?)
“Say things, also must be reasonable mah?” (True. But is Customer K unreasonable?)
“I am not scared. Don’t like go other stall to buy lah.” (She lowered her voice a little, when she came to this part.)
“I also don’t want to do such business.” (Wa.. I don’t think the business there was considered good in the first place, and she wasn’t the boss.)
And she went on for a little while …

Outcomes :
(1) Customer K would not have known the mini-uproar and continue to enjoy her dinner at home.
(2) The event reflects badly on the service quality of that stall.
(3) People witnessing the event may complain to others about the poor service quality and eventually the sales might drop.
(4) Stall Holder B might even complain (to anyone.. ) about her unreasonable customer of the day.

Giving Stall Holder B the benefit of the doubt, she must be too tired after working long hours and could be already quite frustrated at work. Her pent up stress must be "up to the brim" and only needs a slight "poke" to cause a free-flow of emotions. “No excused”, you may yelled. Mm... Okay...

Wait a minute.
Have we worked for long hours before, and yet towards the end of the day we received some weird instructions / orders from our boss or customers? Will we be at least quite agitated?
Perhaps, if Customer K were to say the same thing early in the morning when Stall Holder B was fresh and ready for work, the reaction may be quite different.

If we think about it, there are just too many people complaining about poor service quality, and too many people in the service line complaining about difficult customers. Always complaining... mm..

I just tell myself :
(1) 我是否真正懂得“设身处地”的为别人想。
(2) 我是否讲话或发表的时候，会顾虑到别人的感受。
(3) 在服务业的人，一定过的不容易。再累，别人还是要求你们『强颜欢笑』。真是精神可嘉。

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