Nov 10, 2016 2 min read

Dear Heloise: Customer service is so important. General-merchandise stores sell the exact same merchandise — it’s usually the service that makes the difference. As a customer, please pass along my hints to store employees:

Keep the sales floor clean and neat. I know customers can make a mess.

Please don’t engage in personal conversations with co-workers that I can overhear, and please don’t text on your cellphone when I’m asking you a question.

Monitor the fitting room. Politely tell me the rules, as some stores have different rules.

Make sure all items have their correct tags on them.

Be patient, as the new chip-reading cards take longer to process.

Thanks for letting me vent. — A Reader, via email

Most stores want to make the customer happy, but there always are a few workers who stand out for good service. Tell them “thanks”! — Heloise

Shower power

Dear Heloise: I live alone, and my friends tease me about how I keep house. But my shower, I have to say, is a lot cleaner since I learned this hint: I leave my shower door open after use. This allows the water to evaporate and not turn into mold so easily.

I also run a squeegee over the walls every other day to further cut down on yuckiness. — T.C. in Ohio