(This story takes place after I have gotten off work at a well-known box store. I am still wearing the uniform: blue-collared shirt and khaki pants. Since the store I work in doesn’t have a device I am looking for, I go to the electronics store, which features the same colored uniform. At this moment, I’m the section for the devices, comparing prices and specs.)
Customer: “Hello.”
(As I have just gotten off work, my head instinctively goes up and I look around for a few seconds, only to chuckle as I remind myself that I’m just a customer at this store.)
Customer: “Hello!”
(Having finally decided which device I am going to buy, I turn to head out of the aisle and towards games to browse for a little bit while I’m suddenly stopped by a middle-aged man.)
Customer: “Hello! Didn’t you hear me calling for help?! And what do you think you’re doing? You’re not supposed to be shopping!”
(I take a step back in shock as I shake my head a little bit, confused.)
Me: “Huh?” *light bulb* “Oh, sorry, sir! I don’t wo—”
Customer: “Don’t give me that ‘I don’t work here’ bulls***. Why else would you be wearing that getup?!”
Me: “Sir, I don’t wo—”
Customer: “And besides, where’s your name-tag? I want to talk to your manager!”
(Realizing I’m not going to get anywhere with the man, I sigh softly before trying to find an employee, but as I’m walking away…)
Customer: *fuming* “WHAT? YOU DON’T HAVE YOUR RADIO ON YOU, EITHER?!”
(That is loud enough to cause an employee to approach with a confused expression.)
Employee: “Is something wrong here?”
Me: “Yes. This gent—”
Customer: “I WANT YOU TO CALL YOUR MANAGER RIGHT NOW!”
(With a little bit of reluctance, the employee radios for a manager, forcing me to wait and taking up all of our time. Once the manager shows up, the customer goes into a full rant about how I was rude to him, shopping on the clock, not wearing my name-tag, etc.)
Manager: *finally able to answer* “He doesn’t work here. I’ve seen him at [My Store].”
Customer: “Oh! So, you admit you know he’s moonlighting! What’s your corporate number and your names?!”
(The manager, looking a little uneasy himself now, gives the number and we, just wanting to humor the guy now, give our names as he proceeds to call corporate to have us all fired.)
Customer: “Yes, I’m at your [Location] store, and three of your employees–” *lists our names* “–are prov…”
(I start to tune him out and stare around at other things, wanting to distract myself from the ignorance of the customer until I hear…)
Customer: “WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT YOU DON’T HAVE A [MY NAME] AT THIS LOCATION? HE’S RIGHT HERE AND COMPLETELY IGNORING ME!”
Me: *now getting pissed off as it’s been at least 15 minutes, if not longer* “I… DO… NOT… WORK… HERE! SEE?!”
(I hope for the best and pull out my store employee discount card. The customer sees that and hangs up, turning red.)
Customer: “WHY THE F*** DIDN’T YOU SAY YOU WORKED AT [BOX STORE]?! AND WHY WOULD YOU BE SHOPPING HERE IF YOU DID?!” *storms out*
Me: “I… tried… Never mind. Well, this’ll be the last time I come here in my [Box Store] outfit. Sorry. Though, would you mind if I headed to the checkout to pay for this?”
Manager: “Sure. Let me get you the ’employee’ discount, too.”
(I chuckled, but sure enough, he ran his card through for me and saved me quite a bit on the device. I have kept my promise and not worn my [Box Store] uniform in [Electronics Store].)
Related:
I Don’t Work Here, Does Not Work Here, Part 30
I Don’t Work Here, Does Not Work Here, Part 29
I Don’t Work Here, Does Not Work Here, Part 28
