Is flirting with customers while you are working considered unprofessional?

Question

I work in retail and I caught one of my managers flirting with a customer. He’s the type of guy to be very serious about his job, has really no sense of humour, and very stern but with this girl he was making jokes, asking her if she would date our other coworkers, giving her outrageous discounts that would be not approved by just any other customer and then smoothly hands her his business card and asks her to call him. At this point I’m thinking why is he acting so weird and he shouldn’t be giving her special treatment.

I had customers try to flirt with me and get my number but I felt like that was inappropriate for a workplace. I’m there to work, not get a date. If I was looking to date, I would go elsewhere.

Nicolette777 · Accepted Answer

Yes, it is inappropriate but as long as the girls honestly don’t mind, it’s fine in my opinion. Perhaps ask the girl if she dislikes it. However, as bad as it is, he is your manager and workplaces don’t typically take minor things serious. By saying something, you could make this worse for you. Of course, it it turns into serious harassment or constant flirting with lots of girls, you should definitely say something. Just leave it’s for now and try to enjoy your shifts as much as you can. If he can flirt with customers, he is giving you the permission to flirt with customers.

IfYoureGoingCrazy · Accepted Answer

I don't know but I have customers flirt with me all th time. If it's classy casual fine. But if it's pushy or demands some answet from me I hate it. Me being polite is not flirting. I say good morning because I am required to.

justaguy304 · Accepted Answer

Well, that is unprofessional, and if his superiors saw it, he would probably be in a bit of trouble over it. It is also unethical. In the real world, it does happen in rare instances. That is what is called a job opening.

BCA6010 · Accepted Answer

Yes, definitely unprofessional.

cutegirl22 · Answer

I worked in retail for 4 years and I got flirted with a lot and got even posted on craigslist once. I reported it cuz it had my work place on it. Plus when they flirt you can't really say anything or you will get in trouble. So it's pretty normal for customers to do that. I just learn to just ignore it and they go away. But your boss treating this customer special is kind of weird. But he probably does cuz maybe she comes in a lot and she is regular. I notice from experience that bosses would give customers discounts if they see them a lot and get along with them. But if he is flirting with a customer. Then you might want to report it to hr.

MannMitAntworten · Answer

In sales positions flirting often goes hand in hand and is especially useful for women when closing with men. However, your manager wasn't flirting. He was hitting on her/making a move and so was the guy who asked for your number.

Don't confuse being hit on with flirting. As for a customer hitting on you... Unless it is a company policy not to, it is completely individual whether you wish to share your number when asked while working. After all, you are not a machine but a human and humans remain social creatures - in spite of social media making people, 'anti-social' in public.

Your manager did zero wrong.

John_Doesnt · Answer

You're supposed to be working not socializing. As a business owner it pisses me off when workers think they can get paid to socialize and screw around on the job. If you want to flirt with people do it on your own time, don't expect me or my company to pay you for that.

Sensmind · Answer

Depends what you mean by "Flirty" - Social/friendly flirting while doing your job is okay maybe for waiting staff thinking about tip but the kind you describe "Hitting on", "Giving special discounts" , "Getting numbers"is very unprofessional in my view

Spiritwander · Answer

Yep. You're spot on. She's either a VIP (like a relative of someone high up the company), or you're spot on about about unprofessionalism. (My guess would be phermones)

ChiPaPa · Answer

I consider it in very poor taste to flirt with anyone besides your partner when you're in a relationship. Besides that, many jobs have flirting as part of it so the customer pays more for a tip. The behavior you sited was very unprofessional.

Texaskid1 · Answer

I do it all the time.  When a female customer walks in I smile , whip out my pecker and tell her that if she buys XYZ product she can have full access to my glorious pecker.  Works like a charm.

Dongtai · Answer

You sound jealous.

It’s inappropriate when the customer feels uncomfortable and/or it’s disrupting business. But if she’s flirting back and likes him it’s fair play. It’s the same if a customer flirted with you and you flirted back and got a tip.

LegendarySir · Answer

Depends on how you do it. If you're playful about it, and subtle, where the person doesn't know if you're being playful or flirting, then it's great. A lot of customers like it, and you get lots of tips.
If you're too upfront, telling the customer they're hot or whatever, then that's not good.

someguy81 · Answer

I think, if it interferes with how you are doing you job, then yes, it is unprofessional. While you are at work, that should be your priority. I think if you get asked out, or if you wanted to ask someone out, it's fine but you should get back to work right away. You can set up a date afterwards to get to know them better. I'm only saying this is okay because some times you may only see certain people the workplace and not have a chance to talk to them afterwards.

dragoblack · Answer

If they're creepy about it or they flirt with just about every customer then yeah, it's unprofessional.
if it is once in a while, then no because, the most times you find people you're attracted to are either in the work place, school/college, or at an event.

Kaneki05 · Answer

No not really that inappropriate. Do you how many people have met each through work or someone they met working.

DanishSaint · Answer

On the contrary in many lines of work. Flirting is sometimes, more and more often, a plus if you work in the service/detail business. There are even certain branches where it's almost demanded as to be able to flirt with customers.

Cherokeehp · Answer

Dude you work in retail. I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. As long as the girls are comfortable with it, then who cares?

linds34 · Answer

It's unprofessional if you flirt with every customer. But you're still human so I could see really liking someone and taking the chance.

I-C3_ME · Answer

It is unprofessional but if i was he's supervisor, I'd just give him tell him he shouldn't but as long as he doesn't give discounts or special privileges, i wouldn't make major actions

El_Heffe · Answer

While I don't generally approve of flirting with customers, but I completely understand this when s person has little life outside of work. Then where is one to flirt.

nathanp97 · Answer

You work in retail. That isn't a very professional job, so ad long as you dont go overboard you're fine. If he asks you out and you want to go for it.

CherryRoseChampange · Answer

Nope, if they flirted first then I consider playful flirting back just fun and ensuring I get a tip.

MollyTheOriginal · Answer

Some light flirting never hurt anyone, but if it is persistent and overboard, it is definitely unprofessional, if not downright offensive in a work environment.

blkgold33 · Answer

Yes it unprofessional unless someone flirts and gets the customer to buy something there everytime

Dchrls78104 · Answer

As a taxi driver, I'm leaning towards yes; flirting with a passenger might distract my own attention from my driving and from my primary purpose of transporting her safely to her destination.

just_a_potato · Answer

I would say yes, but hey if the costumer is into it I don't see why not

GuidoThePizzaMaker · Answer

I have flirted with a couple customers  But only if I could tell they were attracted to me

clampfan101 · Answer

Very unprofessional. While people are at work, they should flirt with no one and no one should flirt with them. Wait until after hours.

Fuentes · Answer

Sounds like your jealous a d want the boss for yourself

jonesjessica812 · Answer

He prob thinks he's so good he can get any pu$$y there is. In actually a quiet guy myself so I talk to costumers, get to know them but I dont flirt unless I know her well.

ZeussLightningBolt · Answer

Probably, but I do it anyways. I don't give a shit.

mateynine · Answer

I think it's unprofessional and it shouldn't be allowed.

Landshrk0068 · Answer

If you're a stripper, yes, if you're a nun, then no

iFarted · Answer

Not if it doesn't go too far like other people would get really uncomfortable hearing it.  Waitresses do it all the time to make more tips.

art84 · Answer

I would find it unprofessional to be flirting with customers.

gt4820 · Answer

Your right. It doesn't sound very professional. He must of been extremely attracted to her.

Smiley_face101 · Answer

I think it does, which is why I avoid doing it

frerardsprincess · Answer

That’s definitely unprofessional

Jamie05rhs · Answer

Yes, what he did specifically was unprofessional.

DiegoO · Answer

It should be.

SUMAIREBRAHIM · Answer

Yes it's unprofessional

legalboxers · Answer

if its subtle then yes

clonesclone · Answer

Women in the workplace #21897439889439

Hey_SS · Answer

I mean... Steve Harrington did it 😂😉

sirchin · Answer

Only if you care about your job

Kas19 · Answer

Yep.

LonewolfMeme · Answer

Inappropriate

BronzedAdonis · Answer

Yeah

Advicemepls · Answer

Yes yes yes

nicky0161 · Answer

I dont think so

Is flirting with customers while you are working considered unprofessional?

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