Neither Of You Is The Boss O’ Me

I used to work as a pick-up clerk at a nearby [Supermarket Chain], but I stopped working there about a year ago. But because of my job, I basically have the entire store memorized and can quickly point out what row something should be in if asked. That, plus the fact that I sometimes chat with my old coworkers, could make someone assume I still worked there.

I was there yesterday, looking for ingredients I was missing for dinner. But while I was looking, someone walked up to me. She was about the same age as me and had the same vibe of “I need to find something, but I’m too anxious to just ask an employee” around her that I usually have. She got my attention.

Woman #1: *Politely* “Can you tell me where to find [item #1]?”

I pointed it out to her, she thanked me and went on her way, and I went back to looking for my ingredients.

About a minute later, someone else came up to me and got my attention. But before I could even say, “Yes?”, she started talking.

Woman #2: “I need to get [item #2].”

Me: “Oh, that’s in aisle [number]!”

Woman #2: “I already checked there, and they were all out.”

Me: “Oh… Well, sorry about that. Maybe they’ll have some more later.”

I then turned to go back to my shopping.

Woman #2: “Can’t you just go to the back and check?”

Of course, I was pretty confused at that and turned to look at her.

Me: “Uh… no? I don’t work here.”

She immediately started to get annoyed.

Woman #2: “Yes, you do! I’ve seen you around here before! And you just finished helping that other girl!”

Me: “Well, I used to work here, so I know where stuff is. But I quit like a year ago.”

Woman #2: “Don’t give me that! Why else would you be here all of the time?!”

Me: “Because I shop here.”

She started to look genuinely pissed when I said that for some reason, and I decided then was a perfect time to leave and avoid getting yelled at. I continued getting what I needed, constantly checking over my shoulder to make sure I wasn’t being followed and probably looking incredibly suspicious. I finally got everything I needed and made a beeline toward the self-checkout area.

The self-checkout space is directly across from the customer service area, where you can look up and look directly at the self-checkout. I say that because when I finished bagging my stuff, I looked up to see [Woman #2] talking to my old manager at the customer service desk.

I should also note that my old manager is a large chunk of why I decided to quit. She was/is a controlling a**hole who constantly breathes down other people’s throats instead of doing any actual work. Surprisingly, she was doing her job for once and nodded along while [Woman #2] angrily ranted at her. I decided to ignore the two and started to head toward the exit, but of course, that was the exact moment that [Woman #2] decided to look over and spot me trying to leave. She pointed at me and yelled:

Woman #2: “HER! THAT GIRL RIGHT THERE!”

Of course, everyone stopped and started to stare at me, which would have made just leaving a lot more awkward, so I stopped in my tracks. My old manager leaned over the counter to look at me, made a confused face, and then turned to the lady.

Manager: “Sorry, ma’am, but she doesn’t work here anymore.”

Apparently, being proven wrong by the manager was [Woman #2]’s tipping point, because she suddenly started to scream at my old manager.

Woman #2: “YOU’RE THE MANAGER! SHE’S AN EMPLOYEE! TELL HER TO HELP ME NOW!“

Surprisingly, my old manager gathered up the gall to actually turn to me again at that.

Manager: “[My Name], do you mind helping her?”

I was genuinely shocked at her question. I knew she would do anything for a customer at her employees’ expense, but I didn’t think it would extend to people that didn’t even work for her.

Me: “Are you going to pay me?”

Manager: “No, but—”

Me: “Then yes, I do mind. See ya.”

And before either of them could say anything, I speed-walked out of the store. I heard [Woman #2] start yelling again, but I couldn’t properly catch what she was saying before I fully exited the store and headed toward my car.

I’m just still reeling at both how furious that lady got and the gall of my old manager to attempt to order me around after I haven’t worked for her in literally a year. The more things change, the more they stay the same.