Poor Attitudes And Rich Jerks

I’m working in a very expensive shop, in a very expensive town, with an exceptionally wealthy owner who tends to patronize me for not being wealthy. I’m working full-time there, making just enough to barely get by, and am also attending college full-time, so I’m very broke and exhausted constantly.

Owner: “Hey, would you mind going to pick up some pizza slices? I’m starving.”

Me: “Not at all!”

Owner: “I’ll buy you a slice!”

I want to avoid her comments later about how poor I am or having her say I owe her extra off-the-clock work or something to repay her.

Me: “Thank you so much, but that’s okay. You do enough for me by paying me.”

Owner: “No, let me buy you a slice!”

Me: *Nicely* “Thank you, but it’s really okay. I can afford a pizza slice.”

The owner takes out a five-dollar bill, holds it high above me in the air, and starts screaming.

Owner: “TAKE MY MONEY! YOU ARE POOOOOR! YOU’RE POOOOR! YOU NEED MY MONEY!”

Humiliated and stunned, I quietly reach up to grab her five-dollar bill.

Me: “Thank you.”

As I turn to leave, an older woman calls me over, saying she needs help. She pulls me out of sight of the owner and pats my shoulder, soothingly.

Customer: “It’s okay, dear. I understand. I have money problems, too.”

I’m relieved and relaxing a bit, because most of our customers are very rich and like to openly put down others if they think they aren’t as rich as they are. It’s nice to think for a moment that I won’t be judged.

Me: “Oh, really? I’m so sorry if you’re going through a hard time!”

Customer: “Thank you, dear. It’s true, though! I know what it’s like to have to worry about money.”

Me: “Thank you. That means a lot.”

Customer: “I mean, just yesterday, I realized that I don’t think I fully trust my accountant. So now I have to double-check his work when he goes over my money and investments. It’s just so exhausting to have to think about money! So trust me, I get it!”

Me: *Sigh* “I hope things get better for you soon, ma’am.”