A letter to the editor printed in the Los Angeles Times in 1996. I took offense to how retail clerks were depicted in an article.

Sales Clerks and Customers

December 08, 1996

* Re "Busy Stores Fail Hire Education," Dec. 2.

As a person who has worked in retail more than 15 years, I was a bit disturbed after reading Sandy Banks' article about retail employees.

She seemed to paint a picture that most, if not all, retail employees do not give a hoot about the customer. The article described an incident between two employees that should never have happened. If a manager or supervisor had been a witness, both probably would have been terminated.

Without question, most retail employees are aware that customers are vital--no customers, no jobs--which is why clerks tolerate some of the rudest and most disrespectful behavior imaginable. Believe me, any retail employee could write volumes about how customers mistreat the clerks.

BRIAN SPRINGER

Santa Clarita