Marilyn, I'm pretty sure we can all relate to your sense of frustration. As human beings, it bothers us that someone would be so inattentive while on the job (especially when it's "we" to whom they are being so inattentive :-)). At the same time, as a nice, polite person you don't want to offend them. Also, you know that yelling at them will not get you any better service the next time. In fact, if anything, the opposite will happen.

The easiest, most effective course of action is to simply get their attention with either a polite wave (or, if necessary, walk over to them) and, with a smile, humbly say, "I'm sorry, I know you're busy - I can see my sandwich waiting over there for me, and I'm just a bit on a schedule. Thanks, I really appreciate it."

This is one of those cases where how you say it is just as important as what you say.

The chances are better-than-great that he or she will apologize and take great care of you from that point on.

By the way, you might have an almost irresistible urge to say to them, "I'm WAIIIIIIIIITING!" or "Hey you, have you ever heard of the website, "Move your rear end.com?" but instead, handle it the Winning Without Intimidation way, and you'll both live happily ever after.

Bob Burg http:www.burg.com is author of Endless Referrals: Network Your Everyday Contacts Into Sales, Winning Without Intimidation and The Success Formula.

He has a full line of books, ebooks and CDs from which everyone can grow and prosper. Check them out by going to http:www.burg.com , then click on the link to his online store. Bob also publishes a free weekly ezine to which you can subscribe going to http://www.burg.com/newsletter.html.