Call-Waiting Will Keep Her Waiting

(I work in the meat and seafood section of our store. Two customers approach. Customer #1 is a forty-something woman in business attire, who is glued to her cell phone. I engage her first.)

Me: “Can I help you, ma’am?”

(Customer #1 holds up her index finger to me in the standard ‘wait’ gesture without making eye contact, and continues talking on her phone without missing a beat. I wait a few seconds to see if she’ll end the call. When she doesn’t, I go over to help Customer #2.)

Me: “Welcome to [store]. Can I help you?”

Customer #2: “Yes, I’d like one pound of—”

Customer #1: “Hey! I’m next in line! You never took my order!”

Me: “I’m sorry; I didn’t think you were ready to order.”

Customer #1: “Well, I am! Get over here and help me!”

Me: “I’ll be happy to help you once I’ve finished this lady’s order, ma’am.”

Customer #1: “I was here before her! You call your manager over here right now!”

(I call the manager over on the intercom, and go back to filling the Customer #2’s order. After a minute or so, the manager arrives.)

Manager: “What’s going on here?”

(I point to Customer #1, who is still on her phone call.)

Me: “She wants to talk to you.”

Manager: “Yes, ma’am? What seems to be the problem?”

Customer #1: *gives him the ‘wait’ finger*

Manager: “I don’t have time for this.”

(The manager starts walking away.)

Customer #1: “Hey, you get back here! This employee was rude to me!”

Manager: *gives her the ‘wait’ finger without turning around*

Customer #1: “ARGH! I hate this store!”