This is topic Signs you may be spending too much time in the box office... in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


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Posted by Kristin Wahlund (Member # 922) on 12-02-2003, 08:28 PM:
 
1. you draw the stapler
2. you've been there for an hour and a half and sold 36 tickets
3. you have all the showtimes memeorized
4. you built houses out of promo CDs
5. you drew them
6. you talk to the ticket kiosk
7. you actually wish you still had movie tunes so you could play them through the phone
8. you keep track of cars who use the parking lot as a through street.
9. it actually excites you when customers come in
10. you move the window clings to block the sun from your eyes
11. you keep strategiclly moving them as the day goes on
12. you make this list
 

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Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 12-02-2003, 10:01 PM:
 
Now now...boxoffice talk reminds me a friend of mine who got axed last week after 4 years of part-time mostly box office work with no warning. Hehehe..despite free admission if the movie was important we always went elsewhere even though it would mean paying full price.
 

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Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 2038) on 12-03-2003, 11:29 AM:
 
Back in the 70s when we still had all those old theatres running around here I always felt sorry for the boxoffice ladies. Heat and/or AC was nonexistent for them. They either froze or got cooked depending upon the time of year. The boxoffices were either free-standing stainless steel kiosks or between the entrance doors, and all outside in the elements.
 

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Posted by Jennifer Pan (Member # 2035) on 07-09-2004, 02:22 PM:
 
When you start having conversations with the customers about how their day was is fine until you step into the getting too personal questions. This one box office guy asked this couple the details of their day and whether it was exciting. I swear he going to ask them what they ate that day or what they were going to do after the movie... The only reason he stopped was when I started to kind of yell at him... "Dude! You're getting too personal!"

When you memorize a detailed summary of a movie you have never seen. And then do hand gestures while explaining the movie. Ok... yeah I've been in box office too long...

Or shooting rubber bands at each other in box office. Making funny voices as people walk up to the window... What's even more sad is fighting for the customer. Geez... we are not working under commission.

Knowing exactly what movie, what type of tickets(Adult, child, senior, student), whether or not they have a "Movie Watcher Card", and the exact percentage of seats available for that theater once you look up and see the customer standing at your window. Yep, that was me... (I have magical powers)
 

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Posted by Tim Arista (Member # 2511) on 07-10-2004, 01:38 AM:
 
When I was in box office way back in the day, I always did pushups and situps during any free time that I had. I think that's a good sign that I spent way too much time in box.
 

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Posted by Jennifer Pan (Member # 2035) on 07-10-2004, 01:42 AM:
 
I did push-ups too... Just because it got so cold in the box office. Either that or freeze up during a transaction.
 

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Posted by Pat Thompson (Member # 2374) on 07-10-2004, 02:40 AM:
 
Here's some more signs that you have spend too much time in the box office.

- When you starts guessing on which movie a customer is going to buy for- and your right most of the time.

- When you start asking to see an ID....from your brother or sister.

- Wanting to re-do your room- with a glass door.

- When having dinner at home you sneak the plate down to floor.

- Your answering machine at home list showtimes.

 

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Posted by Robert L. Fischer (Member # 2424) on 07-10-2004, 02:53 AM:
 
The managers at my theater seem to fight to run a register in the box office during busy spells so they can sit down, but I avoid sitting in the box office at all costs.
 

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Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 07-10-2004, 10:32 AM:
 
Unless there is a physical handicap or medical reason, cashiers shoudl NEVER be allowed to sell tickets while seated. It looks, in my opinion, very unprofessional. Being seated while there no customers present is fine, but when my cashiers see customers, they'd better be standing..
 

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Posted by R. Andrew Diercks (Member # 1725) on 07-10-2004, 11:25 AM:
 
I agree 100%. If I have to ask someone twice to stand while selling tickets, I simply remove the chairs from the boxoffice.
 

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Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 07-10-2004, 12:35 PM:
 
Unless the box office is designed like the Century Suncoast here. It looks like a casino cage (which makes sense, since it's inside a casino) but it has a desk height marble counter--all cashiers sit while working the "cage."
 

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Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 07-10-2004, 04:12 PM:
 
Box Office workers are lazy.
 

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Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 07-11-2004, 04:56 AM:
 
i agree 0%. let the poor people sell tickets whatever way works best for them. it is always more important to be professional than to look it. and it is easier to look professional when allowed to do ones job without unnecessary hindrances.

i don't consider my (by no means unusual) height to be a physical handicap, and i don't want it to become one because i have to slouch to sell tickets. my posture isn't that great as it is.

whatever happened to that hubbub about 10 years ago concerning ergonomics and repetitive stress injury?

carl
 

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Posted by R. Andrew Diercks (Member # 1725) on 07-11-2004, 10:38 AM:
 
By the logic of being, not looking professional, perhaps we should wear wife beaters with stains and cut-off jeans to work every day, as long as we're friendly. Besides it's a proven fact that looking professional aids in you acting professional.

I do see a point with tall people if your boxoffice has sneeze glass and a small hole or microphone to speak into. That does require constant slouching. This is why I had our sneeze glass removed and have an open counter to communicate with our customers. This does not work in all areas, however. Depends on the set up.
 

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Posted by Ben Holley (Member # 2247) on 07-11-2004, 11:46 AM:
 
I dont usually sit on a chair during busy rounds in box office. As for when its slow and we dont have to many customers I usually sit. If my manager was to take my chair away from me odds are I would be sitting on the floor in the back of box office between rounds. No way in hell i'm going to stand up in a glass coffin for 9 hours. What normally happens is our managers come to box office to find a place to sit down and relax for half an hour or so. And yes, box office workers are lazy.
 

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Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 07-11-2004, 12:04 PM:
 
With that kind of attitude, I would not only be taking your chair away, but I would be taking your job away as well. Do the concessionists, ushers, or projectionists sit??
 

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Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 07-11-2004, 12:07 PM:
 

quote: Jason Black

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Unless there is a physical handicap or medical reason, cashiers shoudl NEVER be allowed to sell tickets while seated. It looks, in my opinion, very unprofessional. Being seated while there no customers present is fine, but when my cashiers see customers, they'd better be standing..

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Typical Carmike mentallity: Procedural, not practical. I worked Box at a Carmike where the "all-too-tough" management staff took the chairs out of the box office. Well, standing is company policy, so I stood. I was eye-level with the box office marquee, so the customers could only see my chest, and I could only see the back of the marquee casing. OOPS! But that breaks company policy about making eye contact! BRILLIANT!!

I had to keep slouching to reach for the money, give tickets, work the register... so I said fuck it, and just started kneeling on the floor the rest of the time. My head poked up above the counter from my shoulders-up. How's THAT for professional?

I think I may have said it before, but the term "acting professional" has no place in the workplace. One reason being that everyone has their own definition of the term. I could be considered a "professional" at one theater because I can crank out 100 tickets a minute in Box Office or 50 concession transactions in a half hour, greet the people, smile, thank them, give correct change, etc. While at another theater, (i.e. Carmike) just because I sit in the box office or I don't upsell/annoy the customers 100% of the time, I am "being unprofessional" -- Professional means you are an expert at what you do. You have special skills that set you apart from others. It's not about whether your nametag is at a perfect 90-degree angle to your neck or that you're wearing black socks or you answer your phone, "It's a great day in Tampa Bay"! -- Because if you have to ACT professional, then you certainly aren't.

Let the people do their job the best they can however they feel comfortable, within reason of course, while maintaining a clean and safe environment. I guarantee employee morale will soar if you don't have to yell at the doorman for slouching after he's been forced to stand for six hours and only tore 12 tickets.

=TMP=
 

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Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 07-11-2004, 12:45 PM:
 
I couldnt agree with you more Thomas. And if they want people to stand to be professional, how about those managers stand while they are counting money upstairs at the end of the night. Hell, I am standing while I am posting this, because I want to act professional.
 

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Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 07-11-2004, 01:36 PM:
 
I don't think anyone is advocating standing 100% of the time, only when there is a line at box. Not only do I also think standing is more professional while selling but I have noticed my cashiers sell faster while standing.

Naturally common sense must enter into the equation for people of varying heights.
 

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Posted by Richard Greco (Member # 2032) on 07-11-2004, 05:44 PM:
 
Mike, you need to reanalyze how you manage you people. If I were working for you and you were that strict, I'd quit in a heartbeat. You need to understand that happy workers are good workers. If you are that strict to you box people, I feel sorry for them.
 

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Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 07-11-2004, 07:47 PM:
 
Didn't your mother teach you to stand up when you greet someone? It shows respect to the person and it's quite impolite to do otherwise. Sheesh ... the kids these days.
 

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Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 07-11-2004, 09:07 PM:
 
I don't believe that requiring workers to stand in the box office is strict. There is a huge difference between a fun workplace and a professional workplace. I expect certain things of my employees. Standing in the box office is one of them. Would I be an eevil manager if I took a stool away from the doorperson? Explain to me the difference in logic. Both positions are on their feet for their entire shift, yet one of them should be allowed to sit?
 

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Posted by Pravin Ratnam (Member # 1417) on 07-11-2004, 10:55 PM:
 
I personally don't notice if a cashier is standing or sitting. It has no bearing on many of us customers. What is important is the cashier be quick to hand me the tickets, knowledgable about the movies or halls(instead of just a shrug like who cares), and not look bored.

If a chair enables someone to do their job better, they should be allowed to do so. As Thomas says, height plays a factor too.
At the very least, let them sit in the less busy periods.
 

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Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 07-12-2004, 12:35 AM:
 
I was just up at the Century Suncoast this evening (just walking by, cashing in the last of my free drink tickets in the casino ) and noticed that the ticket taker was sitting too (on a stool provided for the purpose). So, standing before the customer must not be that big a thing here. But this town is very casual (maybe too casual ), especially off the Strip.
 

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Posted by Ben Holley (Member # 2247) on 07-12-2004, 01:03 AM:
 
My work uniform right now is a blue tshirt that says Thunderbirds on it so sitting down shouldnt make me look much more 'unprofessional'. I dont think many people would notice if you are sitting down or not, what they would notice was if you were bitter or nice to them(as mentioned above). And standing my whole shift wouldnt make me mean or ruin my day but it would make the differance the next time a manager asked me to stay late or come in on a day off to cover someone elses shift. On a busy day each box office cashier can sell around 1500 tickets no prob, while doing customer service and answering never ending phone calls. So if i was told i couldnt sit down inbetween tasks I would be gone. When sitting is outlawed, only outlaws will sit. And Mike, jokes on you...i wouldnt be needing a stool if you were going to take my job away
 

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Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 07-12-2004, 02:18 AM:
 
Where did this 'standing up in the box office' idea come from? I can't see the rationale or origin. It's just recent with the big multiplexes - the classic single screeners had a cliche of someone sitting on a high stool in those standalone boxoffices; even when the twins & multi's came in the person running the box was seated. Did it start in the 1990's?

Personally, my impression when seeing folks standing in the boxoffice is of an understaffed, hectic operation. Folks look like they just darted in from cleaning up or something because the boxoffice became the new emergency, & they're working it fast to immediately run back out & fix the bathrooms or something. Easily the most panic-stricken look in a boxoffice is 3 people standing, one being a manager with a headset, all frenziedly flailing away at the box.
 

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Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 07-12-2004, 02:21 AM:
 
.... You've discovered the magic of Nametag-Magnet-Art
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 07-12-2004, 02:22 AM:
 

quote: Paul Mayer

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...cashing in the last of my free drink tickets in the casino...

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Getting ready for a flight, huh Captain?

>>> Phil
 

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Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 07-12-2004, 03:22 AM:
 
we have a high stool at the door as well. 99% of the time it's a stationary job. really, who gives a flip? workers stand at concession because the counter is higher, they have to move around to fill orders, others have to move around them, etc. it just makes more sense. but there is a stool back there as well. between sets (if there is such a thing) there's nothing wrong with sitting and reading a book, as long as you're ready to serve should someone appear.

carl
 

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Posted by R. Andrew Diercks (Member # 1725) on 07-12-2004, 11:23 AM:
 
Many of you are missing the entire point. I didn't see anyone post standing as a requirement 100% of the shift. Just while selling tickets. If it's slow, stand when a customer comes, sit when you are done. Our boxoffice counter is the same height as our concession counter. Sitting is and appears lazy.

As I said before, acting and appearing professional directly effects how professional you actually are. Some customers are plain ass holes and I have to "act" professional to them when really I want to be a wise ass and tell them how stupid they are. If someone wants to quit because I expect them to "act" professional, fine you were looking for a job when you found this one. In fact they will probably be fired before they quit. I don't employ lazy-asses. I don't run a social club and I could care less about the feelings that my expectations are high. Our whole society has a low expectation of itself and kids are plain lazy asses that expect a paycheck with no work.
 

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Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 07-12-2004, 11:45 AM:
 

quote: R. Andrew Diercks

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Sitting is and appears lazy.

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quote: R. Andrew Diercks

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We do, however pay our help better than that.

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Well thats good to hear. There are alot of theaters that dont. Do you work for, or have ever worked for a major theater? I worked at a Cinemark, and got paid 5.15 an hour, and was able to do the same thing you did, and 3.95 an hour. But I had to do everything at the theater. I had to do maintenance work, stock work, help the managers close, booth work, work double shifts, all on top of my concession hours.(Which were not nearly enough to get a car with.) I dont know too many kids who are willing to put forth that kind of effort. As a matter of fact, I remember alot of my friends telling me that I was dumb for doing all that work for the theater, and that I should just say no when they asked me to. These are the same people that asked me for a ride to and from work. So dont say that kids are lazy, because its not always like that. Now, Century employees, they are lazy. Their box workers sit all day, and they have self-serve concession stands, and the managers are no where to be seen. By the way, I was just messing with you about sitting during an interview. I understand it depends on what you are doing.
 

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Posted by R. Andrew Diercks (Member # 1725) on 07-12-2004, 12:49 PM:
 
In my previous post, I agreed that enclosed box-offices, with sneeze glass makes it very difficult to stand. Ours is an open counter, much like concession. I require them to stand. We all work in different theatres with different set-ups. In most I have worked at, standing is the only thing that wouldn't look lazy.

And I'm spent on this subject.
 

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Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 07-12-2004, 12:56 PM:
 
Me too, I need to have a seat now.
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 07-12-2004, 02:05 PM:
 
Come to think of it, I can't remember ever being to a theatre with standing box people. More likely, I just have not noticed because in the big picture, it ranks near the bottom on the scale of what's important.

Our boxoffice is designed with a sneeze window that's removable in summer. Still, a person standing would have to bend over constantly to make change. And, the floor outside the box is a bit lower than the floor in the box, so a person standing might tower over the customer. Sitting, it's more face to face.

In 25 years not one single customer has ever said, "Gee, I like your theatre but it would be nicer if you were standing."
 

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Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 07-12-2004, 03:08 PM:
 
When I'm Bored at Work

(Please note that these are staged, and I in no way advocate lazinesss and goofing around on the clock)
 

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Posted by Ben Holley (Member # 2247) on 07-12-2004, 03:12 PM:
 
i agree with mr. Diercks about lazy workers should be fired, and there are occasions when no one should be sitting down. When I'm taking a customers question/complaint or when someone from our corporate office is at our theatre i'm on my feet in a split second. But when I have a line full of 15 year olds I will take a seat if time isnt to much of an issue. And yes I will agree that when sitting down cashiers are a little slower (at least with our set up). But to have a set rule for when its ok to sit down and when its not would probably create some tension. At the theatre i work at when you are moved up to box office you are trusted to regulate yourself and find something to do...our managers dont usually meddle in our affairs.

And when i said in my earlier post about you could find me on the floor in the back of box office its not like i would be sleeping or talking my cell phone, we always have boxes of popcorn bags that need to be organized or 'paperwork' to be done.

and yes...i'm spent on the subject as well, i think we are all pretty much agree its just coming out bad
 

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Posted by Adam Wilbert (Member # 1184) on 07-12-2004, 03:32 PM:
 
I'm raking my brain right now, but can not come up with any other service industry where it is custom for the cashier to sit while serving the customer. McDonalds - standing, The hostess at a fine restaraunt - standing, Grocery cashier - standing. Bank teller? Standing. How about at a department store? Also standing. Hmm... even the clerks at 7-11 stand up when you walk up to the counter. I'm not sure it is a question of 'professionalism' as much is it is a simple matter of courtesy. Perhaps I would consider sitting while selling tickets appropriate only if i could offer the customer a seat at the same time. Otherwise, no way.

-Adam
 

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Posted by Pravin Ratnam (Member # 1417) on 07-12-2004, 03:56 PM:
 
Tellers sit at my bank. Once again, the only thing that bothers customers is if a cashier is taking his/her sweet time to swipe the cards, take the money or hand over the tickets. A nice smile will be helpful. But very few, if any, care about whether the cashier is sitting or not. Why don't you do an experiment. Have a person sit at one booth and have them stand at another and then do a small customer survey of which person seemed more professional. As people said, it really depends on the setup of the counter, and even then, regardless of the setup, nothing wrong with the cashiers sitting when the box office is really slow.
 

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Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 07-12-2004, 05:07 PM:
 
People actually go _inside_ bank branches? I haven't actually dealt with a teller in at least three years and at that time it was because I was living in an apartment where I needed to regularly buy rolls or quarters to do my laundry. Since then, I have switched banks and I now have never actually seen an employee of my bank.


 

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Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 07-13-2004, 01:00 AM:
 
I'm not trying to seem contentious, but I just disagree. It seems like an unneccessary something else imposed on regular operation so as to seem a "feature" that is not expected or even desired by the customer.

For instance, I have no problem socially with doormen, they're there to open doors, call cabs, etc. But Wal-Mart "Greeters" just freak me all to hell out socially.

(Darting into Wal-Mart to get some tools)

Greeter: (stops you) "Welcome to Wal-Mart! How are you today?"
Me: "Umm, hi, (squint at nametag) Sylvia! How's your mama and them? That looks like a painful case of osteoporosis, Wal-Mart health insurance taking care of that for you?"

I mean, What the hell? I JUST WANT A PICK AND A SHOVEL!
What is this moment?

I can understand being busy, wanting the employees to be busy, & looking professional, but I think this is a case of getting wrapped up in inside issues & thinking they should be presented outside. How much closer do you want to get to looking like a pack of one-armed paper hangers at a business where customers just want to buy a ticket, buy some popcorn, & flop down & watch a movie? The box office attached to live venues have folks sitting, as do cafeterias, etc. Folks stand at department stores, etc. which are places where the cashiers launch out frequently to check prices, etc.

"We want to look busy!" That kind of imposition usually either comes off affected, or stressful. I don't think customers WANT to see standing cashiers, & I think folks sitting at such a job starts working on the customers' emotional adjustment to relaxation.

Most show binness places leave all the frenzy to the act. The public face of operation is one of easy order, intended to disarm.
 

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Posted by Julie Havlin (Member # 2465) on 07-13-2004, 01:08 AM:
 
My theatre is inside a mall, and our box office is not enclosed by any glass. It's set to ADA standards about the height of a desk, so all of our box officers sit in wheely chairs, even during rushes. I used to have an employee who prefered standing, but he had to hunch over his cash drawer and I think it looked worse and he certainly didn't have a speed advantage.

We also have another box station at our concession stand we use during the week when we're not as busy, and it is the same height as the concession counter, so the 'con-boxion' employees stand all the time.

We're just backwards I guess, but I think we look pretty professional.
 

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Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 07-13-2004, 06:24 PM:
 
Phil, yesh.
 

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Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 07-14-2004, 11:21 AM:
 
McDonalds -- Has to go get your order.
Hostess -- Has to go back and forth to the kitchen. (this is a no-brainer, honestly!)
Grocery Cashier -- Has to scan/ring up items, belt is waist-high.
Bank teller -- They sit in my bank too. Easier to work the computer.
Department store -- Same as grocery store. Lose five points.

So your examples are invalid. The only box office I have seen where you *MUST* stand is at a Regal, since they love to build their box office and service desk up high. It's funny to see a short person stretching to reach out the ticket hole.

I think everyone has the same idea, but we're arguing different points: It matters on the design of the box office. Therefore, the fact that you're being professional or not by standing depends on that design, and should not be yet another stupid blanket policy by a chain for ALL employees (regardless of height) at ALL locations in ALL states.

SIGN YOU SPENT TOO MUCH TIME IN THE BOX OFFICE: Debating the professionalism of standing or sitting while selling tickets.

Am I right?

=TMP=
 

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Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 07-14-2004, 11:46 AM:
 
Yes, you are right.
 

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Posted by Nicole Halper (Member # 2299) on 07-14-2004, 02:05 PM:
 
The worst sign:
Picture this: Two counterfeit pens standing up vertically- then a ballpoint pen balancing horizontally on each of those. Top it off with a stapler on top of the pens- on top of the counterfit pens--and viola! Instant solution to boredom!
 

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Posted by Andy Aggieri (Member # 2398) on 07-14-2004, 03:26 PM:
 
Here is bad sign,

You start to throw popcorn in front of the box office to attract the birds which are then used as target practice with rubber bands.
 

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Posted by Jennifer Pan (Member # 2035) on 07-16-2004, 02:51 AM:
 
Or when a really hot customer comes and visits you everyday... then asks you out. You then go on a date and have wonderful
 

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Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 07-16-2004, 08:08 AM:
 
I've had that happen 15 times, Jen. Its been a busy week.
 

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Posted by Christian Volpi (Member # 2370) on 07-16-2004, 11:51 AM:
 
Here's one for you. We like to use the ice scoops to throw ice cubes at targets that are in the lobby. 5pts. if you hit a poster case. 10 pts if you hit the rope stands. 20 pts. if you get it into one of the trash cans. It can get pretty brutal at times.
 

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Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 07-16-2004, 11:56 AM:
 
100 points if you dont get fired. And trust me, there are some people here that would fire you in a heartbeat for that. Me, I would fire you if you couldnt beat my score.
 

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