EDITOR,

I was recently fired from my job of customer service person for “being too friendly”! I took too long talking to customers. I understand that fast-food restaurants are all about pushing through as many customers as possible in as short a time as possible.

I submitted a resumé to another store, explaining why I was fired. The hiring manager commented to me, “Oh, you were building rapport with the customer and providing good customer service.” When I tell people about my firing, they are appalled. They say thei liked my friendliness and that I smiled, appeared interested in them and that I seemed to like my job. I expressed my concern months before that we were sacrificing hospitality for speed of service. Speed of service is No. 1.

We know that the dollar is important but customer relations is also important. If you don’t have customers, you don’t get dollars. I know of some people who don’t go there anymore because of the lack of friendliness.

Name withheld by request

Garibaldi Highlands