I was at the local Wal-Mart deli the other day and found myself waiting for a good five minutes before someone noticed I was standing there. Let me correct myself, before they ACKNOWLEDGED that I was standing there. The workers were busy avoiding me and kept their distance from the counter. They did all they could to avoid making eye contact. I finally caught the attention of an older lady who reluctantly made her way over to me and asked how she could help. As I gave her my order for honey ham, I noticed another customer waiting patiently too. The workers were busy at avoiding her too. Then, out of the back room emerged a deli attendant dressed in a white coat and white hairnet. We both looked at each other and smiled. Help had arrived! However, the D.A. (deli attendant) did not make eye contact with my new friend, nor did she say a word. She approached the counter and looked to her right. We both looked at each other wondering what that meant since the customer was standing directly in front of her. We found ourselves turning in the direction her eyes were headed to see what she was looking at. We waited for the D.A. to make some kind of move to help. We expected to hear those familiar words, “May I help you?” But, after several seconds of silence, the D.A. had not said a word. Instead, she gave this customer a look that said, “What the @!*?!! do you want?” The customer sheepishly stepped forward and asked for her American cheese. We both looked at each other and wanted to say something. Instead, I gave her a sympathetic smile and she nodded back in agreement. We stopped talking too.

A world focused on webinars, texting, blogging and e-mailing is a world where people don’t have a clue on how to interact with another human. We have taken for granted that people know how to look someone in the eye and give a good handshake. We assume apologizing for a mistake is common sense and that thanking someone is sincere. Companies and organizations are having a tough time finding candidates that have effective communication skills to fill their customer service and sales positions. The problem is going to grow unless we as individuals are willing to put down the electronics and start talking again.