Why does the Edgewood Giant Eagle have a greeter?

Submitted by tarsier_jungle1485 t3_z5b0hw in pittsburgh

I've never seen greeters in any other Giant Eagle. I probably wouldn't even have noticed, but dude was obnoxiously aggressive and chose to lecture me over my lack of enthusiasm/glee/joie de vivre about running into the store for 10 minutes to buy some pretzels. Then he chose to lecture me again on my way out. I don't know if it was because I'm 1. female, 2. wearing a mask, or 3. all of the above, but damn, way to ruin an otherwise straightforward task.

68

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

mistie_gish t1_ixv3677 wrote

I think he's a security guard. He's only ever said hello to me, and if be pissed if he told me to smile or anything like that. Guaranteed he wouldn't say that to a man. I'd say something to the manager if that happened to me.

50

NYCinPGH t1_ixv5cjy wrote

Good point, could be a security guard. If he works for that private contracting company, I wouldn’t be surprised, they’ll hire anyone who doesn’t have a criminal record (I know, I used to work for one, they even hired me, and apparently I was the cream of the crop compared to my co-workers, even at what was considered a ‘plum’ assignment), so a guard randomly harassing shoppers seems about par for the course.

15

unclegoddess t1_ixvixiq wrote

there is both a greeter and a security guard, he showed up during covid probably to enforce masks, but then he stuck around— as far as i can tell

8

CARLEtheCamry t1_ixvd9st wrote

I've only ever seen security guards at grocery stores in bad parts of town, specifically in Memphis TN on a work trip.

I'm not familiar with the Edgewood Giant Eagle - Is it a particularly bad? I know when the Aliquippa Giant Eagle started selling beer they had a lot of problems with people grabbing it and walking out through the produce/entrance without paying, and even they don't have a security guard/greeter.

1

tesla3by3 t1_ixw3037 wrote

A lot of stores- grocery and other- began putting security guards in place during peak COVID to help enforce masking, social distancing, and capacity rules. While a lot of the rules have been relaxed, the tensions that could cause issues still exist, so many places have elected to keep security in place.

3

DaKaSigma t1_ixv9sib wrote

They normally have a greeter. If it’s the guy I’m thinking of, I’d guess he was trying to be funny and failing. I doubt it’s a masking thing, as there are still a lot who mask going into the store and that wouldn’t be unusual.

48

NYCinPGH t1_ixv1p9j wrote

So, a possible reason why they have a greeter:

Some GEs are owned by corporate, some are ‘franchises’, the Edgewood location is a franchise; found this out by asking at another GE, a ‘corporate’ one, why their location didn’t have the same products as the Edgewood one, and that was the reason that Customer Service gave me, that ‘franchises’ have a lot more individual control over what they stock. So that store’s franchisee, or their manager, has decided to have a greeter, for whatever reason. Maybe at the beginning of Covid it was to check for mask-wearing and dispensing disinfectant supplies and decided to keep them?

When I’ve gone there, the only greeters I’ve seen are either an older, tall, skinny, balding white man - I think he’s the manager? - or any one of a half-dozen older white women, who usually hand out the flyer with the week’s sales. They also usually have security there too, most often a guy from a contract place, but sometimes off-duty cops from either the county or Edgewood Borough.

As for why you got treated as you do, no idea; I’ve always worn a mask going in since Covid first hit and that’s never happened to me, and I’ve never seen any of them ‘lecture’ anyone of any presenting gender; at most, they’ve just said “Hi, would you like a flyer”, maybe occasionally talking up a particular sale, once I heard a “Go Steelers” before a particularly important game upcoming.

So I’m going to have to go with 4. None of the above, it was something else.

31

tesla3by3 t1_ixv6d51 wrote

The Edgewood store became corporate in the last few months.

29

catsgreaterthanpeopl t1_ixz54j5 wrote

Yeah, it was like the end of September. Assuming that they were just keeping already hired positions for now.

3

tarsier_jungle1485 OP t1_ixv2pk0 wrote

Thanks for the explanation. I knew that some stores are franchises, but I wasn't aware that one was.

This was an older black man and he wasn't handing out flyers. I assume he's from the same subset of older guys who feel the need to instruct random women to smile while on the bus.

14

peacefulscorp t1_ixvxd1c wrote

He’s there often. I just saw him on Wednesday morning and he was handing out flyers. He’s always extremely friendly, but I just smile and walk past and don’t engage. I think he’s very extroverted and seems to make it a point to talk to every single person walking in or out. It sucks that he made you feel uncomfortable.

12

NYCinPGH t1_ixv41lu wrote

I go in there fairly often, a couple of times a week, and I’ve never seen an older black man greeter. If he wasn’t handing out flyers, was he in GE clothing? He may have just been some random obnoxious dude hanging out by the entrance (I’ve seen several instances of that) who decided for whatever reason to harass you.

11

Tako-Jerome t1_ixxb9ox wrote

so thaaaaat's why it's the only store around where I can get mustard greens...

3

NYCinPGH t1_ixxdd1l wrote

Or, in my case, Silver Star kielbasa.

4

Roya1Je11y t1_ixvgj98 wrote

At night there is a security guard there. They always have somebody there. Personally, I can’t stand going in there, the lines are always long, even self checkout. I would rather drive to the Monroeville giant eagle just because it’s a better experience

19

Roya1Je11y t1_ixvgkpx wrote

And I live in Edgewood

10

SnooDoubts2823 t1_ixwacvu wrote

go a little farther and hit White Oak with Scozio's bakery. It's a bonus to that location.

2

Confident_End_3848 t1_ixv098r wrote

I lived in the east end when Edgewood Town Center first opened. That was a pretty nice giant eagle then. It sounds like maybe not so much now from what I’ve read here.

ETA: the only greeters at the giant eagle by me work for Citizens Bank when they are hawking checking accounts.

18

Zapotecorum t1_ixvl44a wrote

Its a decent giant eagle. Ive been to far worse (like the one next to Kennywood)

13

Confident_End_3848 t1_ixvn4ha wrote

Oh yeah. I moved to the Northside after the east end, and the Giant Eagle there was on a different level of yuk.

6

Yomama-22 t1_ixvq5oq wrote

Glad you are bashing the Kennywood location. Keeps the snobs out.

6

kniki217 t1_iy4qpst wrote

Haha. Please. That will always be yinzereagle. I avoid that one like the plague. That's the one I grew up going to because there was no waterfront. It's so dirty and rundown and small. No thank you. I go to the Waterfront to pickup my grandma's groceries but if I'm going for myself I got to the century 3 giant eagle.

1

susinpgh t1_ixvas3v wrote

I really, really dislike greeters. The PNC bank I use has one, and I always feel conflicted when they approach me.

16

Argercy t1_ixvlm5k wrote

The pnc bank greeter is there to direct you to the tellers or to someone in the office area, like for loans or a financial advisor. Lots of people tend to go right for the tellers regardless of why they are there, make the line longer, and end up directed to the office.

18

tesla3by3 t1_ixw3ss9 wrote

That's the correct answer. Respond by saying "Hi, I'm just here to deposit my paycheck, thanks!" or "Who do I see about a notice of mortgage escrow shortage?"

7

heywhadayamean t1_ixvqobh wrote

Just a quick counterpoint.

My daughter was a greeter at DSW for a while. (I mean, it’s a job and she did what she was told.) Her best days were when someone actually asked her for help. Once a fella came in with his mom that didn’t speak English. She spent over three hours helping them and she felt so good about it.

Now when I come across a greeter and they ask me if I need help you better believe I’m going to take them up on it.

I get you feel a certain way about them (I did, too) but realize these are usually people that need a job and they probably don’t love the gig either.

But GE greeter mention by OP—yeah, that dude was rude.

15

pghhotfire t1_ixvc015 wrote

I’m curious why you are conflicted? Oddly I had to go in a PNC today and a greeter said hello to me. I think it’s nice.

11

susinpgh t1_ixvedcp wrote

I fluctuate between seing them as obsequious and as gatekeepers. I don't find them pleasant at all.

5

pghhotfire t1_ixvfzfa wrote

Does this apply to everyone? Like a host at a restaurant? I’m genuinely curious because my gf and I were just talking about this. She was reading some thread about how people don’t like co-workers to say “good morning” to them.

7

bekahed979 t1_ixvjraw wrote

I don't really like that either, it's awkward. I don't mind wave or a quick Hi but I hate having to catch up with everyone everyday.

12

pghhotfire t1_ixvmieh wrote

I would think you are younger than me maybe? And it seems like it’s not uncommon for people to feel the way you do. I don’t know…I work from home now (4 years) and the one thing I miss about my old place was human interaction. Just made the day better chatting with people.

9

susinpgh t1_ixvuidu wrote

That doesn't seem equivalent at all. The hostess is there to direct you seating based on how many people are in a section. I've been going to this same branch for years and I am just there, once a week, to deposit checks. I really don't need help.

I say hi to people on the street all the time. I do it when I'm riding. But greeters seem so fake. I get that they are probably not thrilled to be there.

4

pghhotfire t1_ixw1ij1 wrote

I get it. I guess when someone says hi to me or asks if they can help, I just like to be friendly back. Especially if they aren’t thrilled to be there.

2

susinpgh t1_ixw5qgw wrote

I never once mentioned my reaction. All I said was that I find myself conflicted over the interaction. Big difference.

4

thechamelioncircuit t1_ixvxyr3 wrote

Wow it’s usually a nice older woman, or a security guy; I’ve never seen anyone else.

14

scamden66 t1_ixw0y8m wrote

People are so broken they don't even know how to interact with a friendly person. Jesus.

9

Steinway_Concertista t1_ixvb7sf wrote

If any man tells you to smile, just respond with a ‘stfu’. Men do not get to tell us how to look or feel when we just want to exist without being bothered.

6

Squigglylineinmyeyes t1_ixviiq1 wrote

I had a guy tell me to smile after a shift at the hospital where we had an unsuccessful traumatic code on a young guy. I almost cried because of it.

Smile? I was just trying to keep it together enough to get milk. It’s so rude to tell anyone what expression to have.

11

angry_eccentric t1_ixwzu65 wrote

i work a traumatic job too and i love stopping these people in their tracks by letting them know the truth of what is going on. "i just had a client die today" and staring at them until they're uncomfortable. i hope it inspires them to mind their own business in the future

6

Steinway_Concertista t1_ixvixut wrote

That’s horrible! Someone told my friend to smile after she had just lost her mom to cancer. Entitled men like this just need to leave us alone and stop trying to police how we look all the time.

5

puppy_fan t1_ixwb1pq wrote

That would be my first reaction. Kind of like when work asked me why I didn't seem happy.

−1

creaky__sampson t1_ixvgfi3 wrote

Idk, I think you might be talking this a little too personally. When you go out into public, there will be people. It’s reasonable to expect that you will have to interact with them.

6

mistie_gish t1_ixwimpj wrote

So you think it's reasonable that some dude lectures a woman for not being friendly enough in public? Lol no.

4

creaky__sampson t1_ixwynw5 wrote

My point is that you can’t go out into the world and expect every stranger to behave in the way you expect them to behave. You’ll understand when you’re older

4

mistie_gish t1_ixzicpl wrote

You need to apply that logic to the greeter. Not everyone is going to want to engage with him, and he should accept that rather than harangue people. He's the one who took it personally. OP was just minding her business. Men like that think that women owe it to them to be a certain way in public and it's an attempt to assert their dominance in a public space. It's gross, and so is defending it. And btw, I'd bet money that I'm older than you.

−1

creaky__sampson t1_iy1iy1u wrote

Great I’ll tell him the next time I see him rather then bellyache on the internet about it

3

mistie_gish t1_iy4k0tr wrote

You're bellyaching on the internet like right now

0

creaky__sampson t1_iy4xu3m wrote

Nope, I’m giving advice to OP

2

mistie_gish t1_iy6bg8s wrote

Lol nobody asked for your advice. You're just bitching on the internet like the rest of us. Men (just guessing) and their unsolicited opinions are the OP's problem in the first place

1

creaky__sampson t1_iy6cbmw wrote

I’m trying to frame up OPs problem in a solution oriented way, that’s all. Boy am I glad I’m not as pessimistic as you

1

mistie_gish t1_iy6fwte wrote

I don't want your unsolicited, uninformed opinions either but thanks lol

1

creaky__sampson t1_iy7osqb wrote

Well since we’re here and you’re clearly invested in this conversation, why don’t we talk about it? What’s bugging you? Maybe I can help

1

8KUHDITIS t1_ixvjys9 wrote

That guy is hilarious if you actually talk to him 🤣 😂.. maybe its because I was stoned when I met him but he literally made my day

6

suggsincharge t1_ixv9gul wrote

McKees Rocks has a greeter sometimes but its relatively new

5

Learnstuffinpgh t1_ixwnypq wrote

I understand the context of this thread, but for some reason I processed your comment literally, and got this image of a guy standing on the road yelling "Welcome to McKees Rocks!" to everyone. And now I kind of want that.

8

ScratchMoore t1_ixv0a21 wrote

It probably has absolutely nothing to do with any of your scenarios. It’s probably just an overly friendly person, not a sexist anti-masker…

4

tarsier_jungle1485 OP t1_ixv24dq wrote

"Friendly" would be a chipper good morning and let me pass without trying to harangue a stranger into being friendly back.

12

konajinx t1_ixvgoty wrote

There’s sometimes one down on Greentree Road as well. Usually a young dude.

4

Phelzy t1_ixye34u wrote

They offer escorts to your car there, probably because the parking lot is terrible. It's a crappy GE but the people who work there are genuine.

3

konajinx t1_ixyixw5 wrote

Yeah, the layout of that store is really weird compared to all the other GEs I’ve been to.

2

Tomofpittsburgh t1_ixwkidi wrote

Same thing at the Penn Hills shopping center. That’s why I stopped going.

4

CakeBaker22 t1_ixx5g5l wrote

As a GE employee- I think it’s a fairly new thing happening, at least at my location in the bethel area. We’ve only been doing it for about a month now, but I honestly can’t tell you why.

4

TeagleB t1_ixxptwj wrote

The ETC Iggle had a lot of complaints and problems (lots of shoplifting) in recent years. It's now owned by corporate and supposedly they've really improved the place (I haven't been there lately). Having a greeter and/or security guard at the door seems like an obvious way to reassure nervous shoppers and (hopefully) discourage troublemakers.

I often see greeters at Penn Hills (Rodi) and Monroeville. Sometimes it's a security person, sometimes an employee or manager. They've always been pleasant, I've never had one try to engage me in a conversation or lecture me. Sorry this happened to you, OP.

4

the1999person t1_ixvomr6 wrote

There's a security guard at the Monroeville location. IIRC he was armed.

3

PeacefulKnitNerd t1_ixw5k9b wrote

I noticed that too. I wondered why they decided armed security was necessary. A bit unsettling.

3

the1999person t1_ixw7etj wrote

I wonder if that location has been getting hit hard with boosters, the people blatantly running out with baskets full of meat or pushing out carts full of tide and other high dollar items. I would hope that it would be used as a deterrent and not having a shoot out over some over priced t-bone steaks.

4

SnooDoubts2823 t1_ixwarjh wrote

Yeah I can't imagine Iggle security pulling the weapon over penny ante shoplifting unless, well, someone started shooting in there. I'd hate to think that's the reason but the way things are nowadays. . .

5

Ok-Recording2620 t1_ixy2aqw wrote

Giant Eagle has literal shoplifting spies. My mom took me and my baby brother to giant Eagle to grocery shop when I was around 12. I was pushing my brother in the stroller while my mom shopped separately, away from us, with her grocery cart. I spend forever in the makeup isle or aisle whatever looking at lipgloss and I had my brother in a stroller with me. A middle aged woman in plain clothes asked me a question about lip gloss, like advice, which I thought was kind of weird, but I was also flattered as a 12 year old. When I went to go meet my mom at the register, the same lady pulled me into her office (stroller and all) and I luckily just reunited with my mom who was in line, she came in the room with us. She searched me and the stroller and accused me of shop lifting. It was incredibly embarrassing for my mom, and shocking for me. Like wtf. Giant Eagle sent my mom a check as a settlement for me because she complained

4

LetsGoBilly t1_iy41sii wrote

Many stores have those. My local Shop N Save has one, as does another local small time store.

1

puppy_fan t1_ixwavwy wrote

Don't forget that guy who tried to be a hero and stop a robbery of the bank inside GE in the West End or the GE itself about 10 years ago. Maybe something similar happened there.

−1

IceblinkLuck0 t1_ixvjtcu wrote

There are a few of them. One particular guy tried the same thing with me and I told him to shut up, I’m sure it’s the same one. The others have been fine.

2

ilikedirt t1_ixwp9o3 wrote

There’s usually one at the little bird on Cochran Rd in Scott Township too. Relatively unobtrusive. I don’t get why they pay someone to do that though.

2

Cool_Grapefruit4913 t1_ixxgpl9 wrote

sometimes if a cashier isn’t good at their job they make them a greeter my GE had one up until last year

2

yennifer1223 t1_ixzbzmb wrote

That store was Marckisotto’s and in that plaza there’s higher crime. Always had security. I worked at the bank branch in the early 2000’s and it had been robbed at least 3 times and was a favorite of bank fraudsters in the area. Sadly it was the only store with a larger parking lot before Waterfront

2

ravia t1_ixxud6o wrote

They don't have a greeter. <shiver>

1

fakesloover t1_iy99utw wrote

greeters suck. I don't need another distraction

1

GiantEagleCEO t1_ixw9hf1 wrote

Next time, try buying more than just pretzels.

−2