Fickle Over A Nickel

(I am working the checkout lane and an older woman comes up to my lane.)

Me: “Hi! Did you find everything okay?”

Customer: “Yes.”

(She places 2-3 items on counter with her own reusable grocery bag. I complete ringing her up and she says something I can’t hear over the noise so I just smile. She walks away looking at her receipt and while I start to check out the next customer with a very large cart full of items, the old woman comes back. My store offers five cents off when you use your own bag and I completely forgot since it isn’t that common.)

Customer: “You didn’t give me my f****** nickel! I need my nickel back from my bag. Return my items right now and re-ring the order or I am going to get your manager!”

(Being in the middle of this large order, I decide giving her the nickel in my pocket is easier.)

Me: “Here, ma’am, I apologize for the inconvenience. Can I just give you my change instead so that this guest does not have to start her checkout process over?”

Customer: “NO. I want MY f****** nickel, not yours.”

(The second customer was clearly embarrassed. Meanwhile a manager came over and asked her to go to another register. She refused and we had to call security to take her out of the store.)