Is it unacceptable to pick up clothes in a clothes store in Zurich?! My boyfriend and I went into a clothes store in Zurich where many of the items were folded neatly on tables (jumpers, tshirts, shirts). We walked around the store picking things up that we liked the look of to see what they looked like unfolded, held them up for fit etc. Then put most things back (kept a couple to try on). One of the sales assistants was glaring at us and we didn't know why until eventually he came up to us and asked us to stop messing up the whole shop (even though we had been putting things back neatly). I've never experienced such rudeness in a store in my life. It was a very funky store which we were pleased to have found and would probably have ended up spending loads but hence to say we will never be returning.

Well, there are idiots everywhere really.
But if you are unhappy here I would recommend to never go shopping in NL (outside of Amsterdam expecially) they would actually push you out of the store...

He was probably having a bad hair day.

Don't worry, you'll find they're really nice once you start buying things

It's because you're Australian.

Really? I have been to the Netherlands many times, in and around Amsterdam, and have never ever experienced that.

Its because you are NOT australian

I lived in Rotterdam for four years, customer services SUCKS. Katwijk is another story though, I love it there....

It is not unacceptable but they have no idea on proper customer service, or shall I say customer service as is deployed in the UK, US, for example not been Australia but assume same as UK and US as you are shocked.

I have seen this complete detatchment to customer service and general expected etiquette in all work enivronments here, from supermarkets, clothes stores, restaurants, and offices.

I get the impression I moved to this country in the middle of a transition which is what all this tension towards foreigners, and frustration from foreigners towards Swiss is all stemming from. Dont get me wrong, great country, so many plus points, and many european countries could learn a thing or two, or hundred, from the way things a done here. But the people, and the way people interact in client service environment leaves a lot to be desired. I would genuinely be worried for their health should they want to work in London for example and treat people the way they do here in a lot of places.

A lady in Benetton in Zug once came around tidying up after me the then started moaning about it. She even had the hide to insist I was a size bigger than I actually was, pointing out Italian sizing and I might not understand their sizes, after I had just told her that I knew their sizing. Two seconds in the change room and I would have worked out an item was too small, but she wouldn't let me take the size I had chosen into the change room. Not very good sales techniques I haven't set foot in the shop since, but walk past there every single day. This lady has a bad hair day every day!!

I now choose to shop where the assistants assist me, and offer to bring me sizes and other similar styles to choose from.

I totally understand the need to look at items in the neatly stacked pile before you decide to try them on - you need to take out your size from the pile and see the fit and length. So many things are folded up so you can't see the sleeves (or lack of them).

I lived in Amsterdam for 6 months, customer service SUCKS........if you pay the right price


cheers
SC

We might be speaking about different sorts of businesses

Well if I were you, I would have first apologised and then asked the shop assistance to help with shopping, I am looking for peacock neck polo shirt you don't know it??? it's a shame.....well, then show be the shirt, can please open it for me.... la la la la

Yes obviously, although I'm not sure he could tell this by looking at me.

Hmmm, I dont know, was you wearing a crocodile skin waist coat, carrying a large knife and sporting some teeth of your catches?

Jokes don't work if you have to explain them; especially when they're not that funny to start with.

Somehow it does not surprise me...

No way. That's so bizarre. Although I did have someone in Sisley (sister store to Benneton pull open the changeroom door when I was in there to see how I was getting on). Also very odd.

Perhaps you need to learn HOW to shop?

I was shown this method by a shop-o-holic friend. (She does buy masses of clothing) .... she walks around choosing stuff, drapes them over her arm, when it gets too much she calls over an assistant to help her carry it all - then retires to the changeroom to try them all on, shouting out for assistant to go fetch different sizes, passing stuff with arm thru slit in door, and tells the assistant to wait outside.

IF she gets any rudeness, she then walks out of the shop, after telling the assistant she can`t buy anything because of the assistants attitude, so she`ll shop elsewhere.

Sometimes I`ve cringed. But she gets away with it. Her attitude is "If I`m looking for something to buy, I need to LOOK for it, FEEL it, Try it on, and then make up my mind".

One of my more surreal customer service experiences here:

Saw something I liked in a baby clothing store in Zürich, asked the assistant if she had it in size 12 months.

Sales assistant: "Oh yes, we have that size."

Me: "Wonderful. I'll take it. Would you gift wrap it please?"

Sales assistant: "Oh no, I can't sell this one to you. I can't have one size missing from the display."

Me: "Do you have another in stock?"

Sales assistant: "Yes, but I can't bring it out if there is one on the floor."

Me: "But if you sell me this one, there would no longer be one on the floor and you could bring another out of the stockroom..."

Sales assistant: "But I can't I sell this one to you. I can't have one size missing from the display..."

Me:

Fearing entering into an endless loop, I left.

(And ordered a cute baby outfit online from Hanna Andersson.)