Unfiltered Story #202138

Some customers are quite a handful to deal with and will not let go of you if you dare listen to their story. It is okay sometimes and those times we will listen and respond and enjoy the conversation, but other times it is a monologue in which we do not understand everything, or some crazy ranting of people that will not let you go back to your job and will stay for hours if you do not put a stop to it. Sometimes there are other customers so we can excuse ourselves and go to the other customers, but more often than not, there are no other customers. We are only two employees and if that kind of situation, after a while, the one who is not caught in the tale has to go in the office and call the one in the front to “save” the other. One day, an elderly man comes in, ask for an information and then go on explaining his whole life (most of the story being probably imagined by him) and how he used to live in our town to my boss that politely listen to him. After about 10 minutes, I go to the office and call her on the phone, amused.

Me: In need of some life saving?

Boss: Yes, of course.

Me, mockinly: Do you have any blue spotted pink elephants?

Boss: Let me go see, I will be right back. (Adressing the customer:) Sorry I must go look for what my client wants.

She excuse herself and proceed to go as far away as she can from the counter to look at ink cartriges for some time. Usually, customers say it’s okay, say their goodbyes and go. This one does not. I can hear my boss trying to keep the act of fake looking, going back and forth between a few places. I, on the other hand, stuggle not to laugh. After a while she goes back to the front and take the phone again.

Boss: I can’t seem to find what you want, I will need to do some more research, is that alright?

Me: It’s quite alright, I enjoy quite a lot to see your efforts, it’s really funny.

Boss: Alright, I will look it up, stay on the line I might need some more information. (Talking to the customer) I’m very sorry, I really need to go search for what they asked me, it will probably take a while…

Customer: Okay, go, don’t worry, I will come back another day. Goodbye!

Boss: Thank you, have a nice day!

He leaves and my boss comes back to the office where I burst out laughing as soon as I see her face.

Me: Got a new friend? He really didn’t want to leave…

Boss: Thanks for the call, I think I would still be there.

After a lot of teasing, we both went back to what we were doing. The customer was actually from out of town and in vacation, so we never saw him again that week, but I’m sure he’ll come back next time he’s in town.