Finger Licking Good

Every retailer is right in their own way when they say, “I meet the most “interesting” people at my store.” As a jeweler, I can definitely say my customers are “fascinating”—so fascinating that I think many of us could be on a MTV reality series that captures the daily attention-grabbing finds at our retail jewelry stores.

The customers who have us mailing packages to their mistresses, the store tattle-tales, the things customers will do and say at one of our promotional events to win a diamond, the bargaining customers, the pearl bitters—is it gritty? is it real?, the customer with the “cheesy” ear studs, and of course who can leave out the finger lickers.

 If you can’t laugh a little about all the types of people we meet it just makes the day a little longer. I deal with all types of people and I try to offer the utmost respect to all my customers so with that being said…How do you stop a finger licker without being offensive?

 What do you do to stop the customer who inserts their finger into their mouth to remove a tight ring…even before you have the chance to get out the “Windex”?

Gail Bonaminio says, “I usually grab a paper towel to take it from them thinking that is a discreet way to make a point.”

Any other suggestion? Any other disgusting finds that you want other retailers to comment or suggest how they handle the situation without being offensive…email me (shanu@gulianis.com)?