Sometimes good customer service means calling a jerk a “jerk.”

Much has been said of the level of customer service in Japan. But with all the formality and sense of duty it is still possible for friction to occur. When the standard is set so rigid and high, even the slightest change in a person’s face or tone of voice can be interpreted as a form of disdain.

Perhaps that is why the teller of today’s story, Twitter user @misokatsu2, went out of his way to avoid a certain Lawson convenience store in his area that was staffed by a “jerk.” However, on one day when his options were limited he begrudgingly entered and was surprised to find an “Indian” clerk behind the counter where the Japanese person he loathed usually stood.

The clerk seemed to recognize him right away and said, “You’re the guy who only comes whenever [clerk’s name omitted] isn’t here! I know, man! Sushi! The sushi here is more delicious than any other place around! The next time he works is Tuesday and Thursday to Saturday! You’re a good person so don’t come then!”

The clerk then went on to say that he disliked his co-worker as well and hoped he would leave the company. Disarmed by the “Indian” man’s apparent honesty, @mistokatsu2 decided that he would only go to that Lawson on the days when only he worked.

This story of unprecedented customer service in what could be considered the backbone of the Japanese service world resonated throughout Twitter, generating over 60,000 likes and the following comments:

“I don’t know any Indian people but I already like them.”
“You’d better check that he is Indian. Westerners have trouble telling the difference between us and Koreans. Be careful not to mistake him.”
“I work in an Indian restaurant. Those who work for convenience stores are not Indian but often Nepalese people. It might be hard for Japanese people to distinguish them but they do have different facial features and different names. Please don’t accidentally disrespect him.”
“I usually avoid places when I see a foreigner working the register. I’m afraid they’ll make a mistake.”
“I wonder if the clerk really does hate his co-worker, or if he’s just trying to hang onto the customer by keeping them separated… Either way it’s genius.”
“So how was the sushi?”

Not one to leave the mystery hanging, @misokatsu2 tweeted:

▼ “Indeed, Lawson’s sushi was quite delicious”

The recent influx of foreign workers in convenience stores has become a contentious topic in Japan, with companies arguing that the decline in birthrate is resulting in a crippling shortage of staff. On the other hand, opponents of the move claim that convenience chains are simply looking for ways to save money at the expense of potential Japanese workers.

And then of course, there are those who fear this integration of cultures could lead to the deterioration of Japanese society. But as this small incident has shown us, Japan does not have a global monopoly on customer service and could stand to learn a thing or two from other countries.

It’s also thanks to the hiring of foreign staff that Lawson could finally hire a guy named Lawson.

Source: Twitter/@misokatsu2, Hachima Kiko
Top image: SoraNews24