Can’t Help Those Who Won’t Help Themselves

(I work in an arcade.)

Coworker: “Uh, [My Name], we need you for customer service.”

Me: *walks up to customer* “Hi! How can I help you, ma’am?”

Customer: “I just want to say that I am very upset right now. I had to stand in line for 15 minutes to get my tickets. I counted, and you had seven other employees behind the counter doing nothing.”

Me: “Well, ma’am, we only have our one register, and one person working at a time. Also, I don’t have seven employees working. We just had this one girl back here, since I had the other two employees with me.”

Customer: “You should not try to argue with a customer! There were seven people with green shirts back there doing nothing. I wasn’t this mad until I spoke with you!”

Me: “Okay, well, if there’s nothing else—”

Customer: “I just wanted to explain that I was angry about the line, and you’re making excuses. If I hit you in the arm, you wouldn’t care about my excuses!”

Me: *refraining from laughter* “Yes, you are correct. I was just trying to explain how the policies work with who takes tickets.”

Customer: “YOU ARE NOT HELPING ME!”

Me: “My name is [My Name], and here is my general manager’s card. I’m sorry I cannot help you, or help that we have a line.”