Herb’s Blog, Herbdate 22166 – 736:
Dear Fans, Friends, Fiends, Foes, Large Flightless Birds, and Family,
I have worked a number of retail jobs over the years and there are certain themes that go with it, the current one being no exception. Generally, I have a rule of not talking about work, coworkers, or things on a current job unless I can make them generic enough. When it comes to coworkers I only say nice things or nothing. This story is from a previous job at a big blue box. The one I worked in was in a kind of a rough, seedy neighborhood. I read James Proclaims’ story about the arrogant man in front of him in the line and thought about some of my less than pleasant encounters.
The fact is that I normally love to do retail. I have worked in retail much of my life and in all my jobs have always had customers of one sort or another. I like interacting with customers, selling, up-selling, and honestly, even the crabby, mean, rotten ones who feel like yelling at someone and the incredibly, amazingly, stupid ones don’t bother me. I learned in the very beginning to let things go like water rolls off a duck’s back. I’ve learned that some people go through things in life that are so horrible that I couldn’t even imagine ever going through and it makes them a bit crabby or mean. I get it. I also understand that stupid people are not required by law to wear a sign saying, “I’m stoopid,” although it might help. Then again I am just as likely as anyone to require a sign.
One of the great things I can sometimes do is make someone smile or at least make their day just a tiny bit lighter. I had a customer back then who was a regular and somewhat older than me who would always seek me out to help her. She needs help getting her groceries into the cart and then into her car. She has a Traumatic Brain Injury and is often forgetful and has physical and mental problems. Her (abbreviated) back-story is that a few years ago her husband/boyfriend/fiance (I don’t recall which at the moment) tried to kill her with a hammer. Some of the people I worked with, cashiers, CSMs, managers, and others have a wide variety of stories as well. One of my favorite co-workers was a retired elementary school teacher. Another has a master’s degree in criminal justice. Another was an English major. My point is that you really don’t always know a person by their appearance or attitude or even first impression.
But occasionally there comes along a customer that actually does get on my nerves and makes me mad. The ones that get to me are the pompous, self-important, arrogant, braying donkeys who think they are better than everyone else. From the examples above and others you have no idea sometimes who you are dealing with and to think less of someone because of the kind of job they have is inherently wrong.
I had a guy come through my line who made the remark, “I get to come to this store and shop with all of the beautiful people.” Well, on the surface, I understand where the remark comes from. There is a dark side of retail and a low side of human intelligence. Anyone who has ever worked with customers for any length of time knows what I mean and will laugh. But not because we are better than somebody else, just that we “get it.”
This guy was different. Not just angry or bitter or grumpy; his attitude was that he really did think he was better than the average person. Maybe it was that his derisive little chuckle reminded me of a guy I used to work for that had the same idea about himself. That was the boss I have never really talked about on this blog that made me angry enough to go and re-join the army. One day I was on the opposite end of the store and he whistled for me like a dog and he’s the reason I am in Colorado today. He had a way of mocking people and making fun of them that showed he clearly thought he was better than everyone and his gas smelled like lilac perfume and he always chuckled at his own jokes exactly the way this customer was.
“I get to come here and shop with the beautiful people.” Derisive chuckle
I ignored it the first time.
“I get to shop with the beautiful people. All the beautiful people come here.”
“Oh. Well, I like them. They pay my paycheck.”
“I never thought of it that way.”
Fortunately for both of us, the transaction was over and he was gone. I apologize to all of you who would have expected a more snappy retort, but I couldn’t think of anything at the time. Besides, one of the cardinal rules of retail (learned the hard way as I have told you about before) is never to answer a customer the way they deserve. But really, sir, if you’re so much better than the rest of us, why are you buying your clothing here and not at the Sak’s Fifth Avenue in Denver? Just askin’.
Comments
27 responses to “Pompous People And Customer Service”
I know the type. I was at an inner city Wal-Mart late one night when I was stopped by someone who wanted to tell me how sketchy and terrible it was. It was kind of sketchy, but I’m pretty sure the only reason he thought I was different was that I was white. Anyhow, I should probably get one of those stoopid signs.
I’ll trade you one for a writer’s block.
Deal.
People will be people sadly
You know that’s right. Aarrgghh.
Those type of people you can also find in my profession too. I don’t understand about,”customer is always right” you seems like having lots of patience.
In retail more than any other job you have to have patience and a sense of humor. In your job you just have to have patients with each roomer.
Oooh, yes! I’ve known many who were the type and they make me want to hurl. Yuck! But I love the way you handled the creep! And I laughed at your last line! But now that I’m older, I think I would’ve asked him that same question and possibly got my tail fired! LOL, I’m getting more and more smart-alicky with age I guess!
In retail you learn to know when to say what. It might have been worth it.
Yepper!
Argh, I really dislike these types of people! They really make my blood pressure high. 😆
Oh, and I think I come under Large Flightless Birds category.😆😆
Well, there are much worse categories! lol. Yeah, people like that get my (proverbial) goat.
Lol 😂😂
I was always dumbfounded at the kinds of customers Borders attracted. It put the big lie in the virtue of reading.
Hahaha! That’s true. I miss Borders though. I would probably stayed there. But, yes, you are right.
People… this is why I refuse to work outside my home 😆
Hahahahaha! Hey, Beck! Does this come in blue?
Every color BUT blue!!!
As a former supermarket employee, I can relate to your story.
https://jasmineschoolrpc.wordpress.com/2020/10/14/the-feelings-tag/
You are tagged!
No pressure! 😆
Is that meant for me or for Swabby429?
Oh whoops! It was meant for you… 😬😆
Lol. It will (hopefully) be the next Tag-Me Tuesday.
Yay! 😁
Oh, you know as much or more than I do, then.
Great story I managed retail for nearly 25 years The ones I hated were the the judgmental ones. I had a guy walk past my Female employee and Humph when she tried to greet her. He walked up to me I wasn’t having any of it so when he asked his question I told him I was new and he would have to talk to the manager. He agreed and I called the lady he insulted over to help him. It was great to watch him squirm
Stay well and Laugh
I did laugh. That’s a great one.