We need customers to say 'Walaikumusalam' to us

A customer walked into our cafe with his family. “Asalamoalaikum!” I said politely from behind the counter. The man ignored our greeting and gradually strolled to the display fridge. “Asalamoalaikum!” I repeated myself, a bit louder and with a smile. At this point, there was no doubt that he’d heard me. He ignored my greeting again.

He ordered his food in as few words as possible, while avoiding eye contact. Unsurprisingly, the rest of our experience serving the group was just as underwhelming.

This happens to us nearly everyday.

As restaurant and business grow more competitive in the twin cities, our workers are at risk of ignoring their own dignity in the interest of customer service.

We are not furniture. What occurs between restaurant staff and a customer. is a business transaction among equal citizens. We charge our customers for food, beverages, and a polite service. The bill does not include the cost of enduring disrespect attitudes.

Under an entrenched class system, we’re often made to believe that respect is a one-way lane; from the constantly overworked service class to the perpetually dissatisfied gentry. Someone must be ‘less’ for another to feel ‘more’.

We work hard to provide our valued customers the best possible service in the twin cities. It is important to us that our crew also feels respected at the end of the day.

To my team and I, this means a lot.