The No List Virus is spreading rapidly at retail store check out counters across the country. Common responses to customer questions by store clerks are a follow:

1. No, you cant use that coupon. It has expired.
2. No, that item is not on sale. I dont care what the store flyer says.
3. No, we dont carry that here.
4. No, we cant order it for you.
5. No, you cant order less than a pound.
6. No, the manager is not available.
7. No, you cant have 2 flavors of ice cream in the small cup.
8. No, I cant do that.
9. No, I wont do that.
10. No, you cant substitute one item for another.

My fellow Americans, I beseech you, is this any way to run a country? What ever happened to customer service? What ever happened to faith in our fellow man or woman? What ever happened to the Yes List? What ever happened to Gods commandments to be kind and caring?

Yes List items that have been excluded include:

1. Yes, I would love to carry your packages to the car.
2. Yes, I can help you find that.
3. Yes, I can sell you half a loaf.
4. Yes, we can order that in your size for you.
5. Yes, you can have 2 flavors of ice cream in the small cup.
6. Yes, The manager will be right with you.
7. Yes, you can substitute that item for the other one.
8. Yes, you can buy less than a pound.
9. Yes, you can use that coupon even though the expiration date was last week.
10. Yes, I will be happy to do that for you.

Corporate Gurus wake up. Where is your faith in your customers? Where is your customer service? How about making the world a friendlier place to live in? Where is your faith in God?

As you can see, I have been having some problems in retail stores lately, how about you? How about being a little kinder when its your turn to say yes or no? How about having a little faith in your fellow man or woman? You do want to be considered a person of faith, dont you?

Please help us get rid of the No List Virus. How about a return to civility? The world may be watching. Its not just the overhead cameras in retail stores that you have to worry about, God may be watching too.

Copyright Arthur Levine 2006
Please feel free to use this article as long as credit is given to my resource box.