It’s The Season For No Seasoning

I work in the deli section of the supermarket. It’s connected with the butcher and fishmonger sections, so we cover each other’s breaks a lot. I’m covering the butcher counter when a middle-aged woman approaches the counter. I give her the stock greeting and ask what she needs.

Customer: “I need to make a complaint.”

Me: “Okay. The shop website has a complaint form, or you can fill one out at our help desk—”

Customer: *Interrupting me loudly* “Your chicken was terrible! It was bland and dry and awful. I demand my money back!”

Me: “I’m sorry to hear that. There isn’t a till here, so you have to—”

Customer: *Interrupting me again, now almost shouting* “I can’t believe you won’t stand by your products!”

She continues to raise her voice at me, attracting the attention of a manager, who comes over. The manager takes her to one side and gets her to lower her voice to a more normal volume which means I cannot hear her anymore.

Eventually, the woman stomps off in a huff toward the front of the shop where the customer service desk is. The manager shakes his head and comes over to me.

Manager: “She bought a chicken three days ago from the chilled aisle. She didn’t season it at all and then cooked it for over four hours. Where do these people come from?!”