Has anyone noticed a sharp decline in customer service in recent years?

Businesses

This is going to sound very “old man screams at cloud”, but I’ve just noticed a huge decline in customer service.

I believe it’s largely due to the anti-work movement that is occurring within younger generations. I’m firmly anti corporation and I totally agree and understand anti-work. However I’ve just noticed that a lot of customer service workers are taking it out on the customer rather than the corporations.

I don’t need some over the top service either. I’m talking bare minimum. A nice hello when checking out. Not throwing my groceries so hard that the box of cereal explodes open. Not having fast food workers literally just throwing the bag at me without saying a word.

I’ve worked customer service for 11 years. I like to think I’m polite and respectful. I don’t suck up to people, but I also won’t be outright rude to them.

Like I said, it might sound boomerish, but I’m in customer service myself and have noticed a decline in the last 3-4 years. Mostly within retail and fast food.

Anyone else notice this or think the opposite?

Posted Jan 30, 2026, 5:14 AM UTC

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