A Nugget Of Kindness Is All That’s Needed

I’ve been working for about three weeks. I am working back cash, which is where you take orders and take money at the same time.

Me: “Hello! Welcome to [Location]. How may I help you?”

Customer: “Yes I’d like a $3 bundle, large fry…”

The customer continues before I have a chance to ask which bundle she wants; we have three. I can’t enter anything else in, so I just click nuggets and fry for the bundle.

Customer: *Rudely* “Why are the nuggets on there? I don’t want nuggets.”

Me: “I’m so sorry about that, ma’am. We have three $3—”

Customer: “I don’t want nuggets! Take them off!”

Me: “Yes, I’m sorry, I can’t take it off without adding something else—”

Customer: “Take them off now! I don’t want them! Get them off! Take them off!”

Me: “Yes, ma’am, what would you like? I have three bundles; I cannot take the nuggets off without—”

Customer: “I DON’T WANT THE NUGGETS! I SAID TAKE THEM OFF!”

Me: “I will as soon as I can get something else—”

Customer: “TAKE THEM OFF NOW!”

I have anxiety, and typically I can handle it well, but I start tripping over my words and can’t figure out how to tell her I can’t take it off without putting something else in the order as she keeps interrupting me. My manager comes back and takes over.

Manager: *To me* “I’m about to make this woman mad.” *To the customer* “I’m sorry, ma’am. How can I help you?”

The customer respectfully gives her order, but again, she doesn’t state which bundle she wants. My manager is able to tell her what our bundles consist of and finishes her order.

Manager: “All right, ma’am, your total is [total].” *Switches to a passive-aggressive tone* “And we have a newbie taking your order today, so please be patient and respectful next time. Thank you.”

The customer comes to the window and I cash her out as my manager takes other orders next to me.

Customer: *Smiles* “It’ll get better, dear.”

Me: “I’m sorry?”

Customer: *Still smiling* “It’ll get easier.”

She then drove away. My job is only stressful and hard when people like that come through the drive-thru. I was perfectly fine before she started screaming at me. We proceeded to get packed afterward and I wasn’t able to take a few deep breaths and collect myself for two hours. I’m very proud of myself for not having a panic attack!