While there is nothing wrong with really liking a consumer, it is generally agreed that we should do what?

Maintaining professionalism in consumer relationships is essential for several reasons. While forming a genuine liking for a consumer can help build rapport and enhance communication, allowing personal feelings to overly influence professional interactions can lead to bias and compromised decision-making.

Being professional ensures that all consumers are treated equally and fairly, maintaining objectivity in service delivery. This helps in setting boundaries that are necessary for ethical practices, ensuring that any potential conflicts of interest are avoided. Additionally, professionalism fosters a consistent experience for all consumers, which is crucial in any service-oriented industry.

In contrast, engaging excessively on a social level or showing favoritism can undermine the integrity of the service relationship and may lead to perceptions of inequality among other consumers. Distancing oneself entirely is also not practical for effective customer service, as it hampers the ability to build trust and effectively meet consumer needs. Therefore, striving to remain professional while recognizing personal feelings is a balanced approach to fostering healthy and effective consumer relationships.