When you work in customer service or any kind of retail establishment, you probably know what it’s like to deal with rude customers. However, it often happens when an employee is rude to a customer. Maybe the employee is having a bad day or they’ve encountered one difficult customer too many, but whatever the case, it does happen. In the United States, we live in a “customer is always right” society for the most part, and this can be a career killer if you’re rude to customers. However, it’s also important to be aware of who you’re working for and most importantly, remember that you never know who is overhearing or seeing what’s going on. In the fictional story below, you’ll encounter and employee who learned this lesson the hard way. Enjoy!
Worker: *rudely* What do you want?
Me: Hi, I’d like a cheese pizza and a six-inch veggie on wheat, please.
Worker: You don’t need that much food.
Me: Excuse me?
Worker: You’re too small to need that much. I’m not gonna sell you pizza just so you can barf it back up. Just stick with your veggies.
Me: Let me speak to your manager.
Worker: No way, I’m not going to go get my manager just because you want to pretend you eat.
(Before I can reply, the cashier, who has overheard everything, hurries over and hip checks the rude worker out of the way.)
Cashier: Maam, I am very sorry. Well get what you asked for, and I’ll get the manager up here for you immediately.
Me: Thank you.
Worker: No way! I’m not going to let you stick up for this anorexic b****!
(At this point, there is a small line behind me and the elderly woman behind me speaks up.)
Elderly Woman: *to the worker* You say one more word and I will haul your butt over this counter and tan it like your mother should have, you disrespectful little turd!
(The others in line laugh. The manager shows up then, and I relate the story. The worker denies it, even though the cashier and other customers back me up.)
Manager: Well, well just get that ready for you, and consider this matter resolved.
Elderly Woman: So, you’re just going to allow him to speak to your customers that way? Excuse me for a moment while I make a call.
(She calls someone and says a name that makes both the manager and the workers faces go sheet white.)
Elderly Woman: Okay *her phone towards the manager* My husband would like to speak with you.
(The manager and worker vanish into the back, making denials about what happened over the phone. The woman smiles)
Elderly Woman: My husband owns this particular franchise. I’ve been in here enough that you’d think those turds would know it. [Cashier], please put this lovely young woman’s order, as well as these patiently waiting people’s orders, on the house.
Me: Thank you, but you really don’t have to do that.
Elderly Woman: No, I don’t, but what the h***. You look great, by the way!
Me: Thank you, for everything you did.
Elderly Woman: Hey, it livens up my day!
(After I ate and was leaving, I saw an elderly man, the elderly woman’s husband and store owner, enter the store and berate the manager and worker. Both of them were in tears as he fired them both.)