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Added: Monday, 13 July, 2009, 11:24 GMT 12:24 UK

I'd like a sales person to be knowledgable about the products, notice me, and serve me with integrity. I don't care whether a smile is forthcoming. More often that not, it wouldn't be from me, unless accompanying the initial, "Excuse me... " upon approach for help.

[Nativewoman]

Added: Monday, 13 July, 2009, 11:18 GMT 12:18 UK

If I'm standing in your shop explaining how your product just damaged my property, upset my family, cost me extra money or otherwise failed in its requirements - the last thing I want off you is a smile.

Good customer service is not defined or measured by how many times your service staff smile. It is measured by how well they perform the job.

Better still, don't cause the poblem in the first place. Have a product that works and after-sales support that fixes minor problems immediately.

Sandy Fox, Derby, United Kingdom

Added: Monday, 13 July, 2009, 11:18 GMT 12:18 UK

We are all effected more than we realize by looks, first impressions. He can't be a baddy if he's a blue eyed blond.

Someone likes you a lot more if you look at them, it means 'I want to know you', and smile, 'I like you'. It must help in shops, even if only sometimes. I always try to do it.

[WalterBill], Rugby, United Kingdom

Added: Monday, 13 July, 2009, 11:14 GMT 12:14 UK

My immediate reaction on being confronted by someone smiling from behind a reception counter is to think "What're you finding so funny?"

This is quickly followed by a glance down to ensure my flies are fastened

Blythe Indifference, North West

Added: Monday, 13 July, 2009, 11:13 GMT 12:13 UK

It could only happen in Japan - however Britain has gone so off it's collective trolley in the last 10 years that anything is possible.

The standard of customer service has so improved in the UK over the last few years - with the exception of the public sector / nhs / Job centres etc where you get the feeling they are doing you a favour by letting you paying tax to pay their wages for a surly take what your given approach.

Right On the rise

Added: Monday, 13 July, 2009, 11:12 GMT 12:12 UK

Today I visited the bank. While waiting I noticed the officer was being rudely harangued by a client. Yet when it was my turn to sit at her desk she was calm & collected & had a wonderful natural smile. Do not force staff to smile, falsity is worst than a scowl. I often smile at sulky staff who look like they have had a bad day & most of them smile back Smiling from the heart is infectious but donning a smile mask is as annoying as in “Have a Nice Day J”

Paul Papadopoulos, Athens, Greece

Added: Monday, 13 July, 2009, 11:11 GMT 12:11 UK

A smile is only part of the problem. The Customer is affected by their experience of a particular transaction. I call these open or shut transactions. If the transaction is grudging then no amount of forced inane grinning will help the feeling of "rip off". If you find a bargain that you are happy with then the happiness seeps through. My "customers" have no alternative but to deal with me when I tell them to so I use what I call kiddology and that may bring a smile that is genuine.

Tony Jackson, Welling

Added: Monday, 13 July, 2009, 11:11 GMT 12:11 UK

The act of smiling can actually make a person feel happier. They will also get a more positive reaction from the customer they are serving. I cannot stand being served by miserable people who pretty much give the message that they wish they weren't there and that they wish you weren't either - what business wants that message going out? A smile costs nothing and brightens everyone's day.

Clare, Reading

Added: Monday, 13 July, 2009, 11:09 GMT 12:09 UK

Sincerity matters. Forcing staff to smile to customers just because they are told to won't work. It is like the phoney assurances of being sorry one often hears trotted out to customers for delays or other problems. Or the ambiguous "we are sorry" or "we value your custom" when the only sorrow or value resides in the loss of money you are prepared to hand over to them.

All this is a triumph of presentation over real content. It needs to be stamped out and honesty, sincerity, integrity return.

[ddstretch]

Added: Monday, 13 July, 2009, 11:08 GMT 12:08 UK

I smile at people I like. It sends a message. Politeness is enough for the others.

madmarce, London

Added: Monday, 13 July, 2009, 11:05 GMT 12:05 UK

Even if it is fake, at least they are trying.

I am fed up of grumpy checkout staff in supermarkets. You do find however that in the shops that pay their staff more, their staff are a lot happier. (eg Sainsbury's vs. Asda)

Acid Fairy, Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom

Added: Monday, 13 July, 2009, 11:02 GMT 12:02 UK

Smiling inanely just makes people look like the "Stepford Wives" ....... creepy.

A Kelly, United Kingdom

Added: Monday, 13 July, 2009, 11:00 GMT 12:00 UK

not really important, efficiency is more important,but are the workers going to be forced to smile or are they going to smile because they are happy because they have well paid jobs and good working conditions, I suspect the former will be the case , managers seem to have forgoten the saying about happy workers being productive workers

ronnie, glasgow

Added: Monday, 13 July, 2009, 10:56 GMT 11:56 UK

I am fed up with all the long faces that seem to walk our streets. We are living in a country where few need starve, go short of life's basics, so what is there to be unhappy about? I have a heart condition, my wife is crippled by arthritis, yet we both manage to smile a lot. We are are alive, the weather outside is is lovely, and I am looking forward to some fun today, no matter what I do. The reason folk don't smile is that they dont know how to relax !

Ann Onymous, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Added: Monday, 13 July, 2009, 10:54 GMT 11:54 UK

It is very important to smile if you mean it. And it must be very hard when faced with the general public at large to smile at each of them especially when some of them are so blatantly rude.
I could do so but it would mean nothing more than a sarcastic gesture.
We sadly seem to have lost a lot of the be nice to others feeling that used to exist. People show a general lack of consideration to others and candidly state that as long as they are OK that is fine.
Well it isn't really!

Frank, London