Scooting Past The Apology

(We are shopping in a large retail outlet; we have the kids with us and stop outside a shop to decide where we need to go next. I put my daughter’s scooter down and ask her to hold it to stop it wheeling off. Out of nowhere a very grumpy security guard appears.)

Security: “No scooters!”

Me: “Don’t worry, she isn’t riding it. I’m carrying it for her.”

Security: *almost shouting* “No scooters!” *at my daughter* “You cannot ride them inside!”

Daughter: “But Daddy, I wasn’t on my scooter.”

Me: “That’s fine, honey, you just stand with it. The grumpy man will go away. You are allowed to bring it in with you.”

(He scowls at me, but disappears. We carry on with out shopping before being approached by an even bigger security guard.)

Big Security: “Excuse me, sir.”

Me: “Yes?”

Big Security: “We have had reports of your daughter using her scooter in store. For safety reasons we cannot allow that. One of my colleagues has already told you.”

(By this point my daughter is getting visibly upset.)

Me: “Now, I’m going to interrupt you right there. We have a scooter, but at no point has she ridden it. I have carried it around with me the entire time.”

Big Security: “Well, I’m going to have to check with the security team.”

Me: “Please do.”

(He steps away and talks at length on his radio, before coming back to me.)

Big Security: “Okay, well, the camera crew have confirmed what you were saying.”

Me: “Are you at least going to apologise? I don’t appreciate being spoken to like a naughty child.”

Big Security: “Well, they have to do their job.”

Me: “I get that but there is doing your job and doing it well. He was very abrupt and rude. My daughter was very upset.”

Big Security: “I appreciate that, sir, but the rules have to be adhered to.”

Me: “I agree. The rules posted are scooters cannot be ridden; it actually states that scooter are allowed on site. I suggest you and your team take some time to learn the rules they are enforcing.”

Big Security: “Whatever, sir, please continue with your shopping.”

(His attitude was appalling; he would barely look at me whilst talking to me. I dropped by the management company who were appalled at my findings. The company promoted themselves on customer satisfaction, and apologised profusely. They then forwarded it to the retail management company who again apologised massively, I also had a phone call from them apologizing. Apparently they have had several complaints about these guys treating customers badly. I’ve never had a bad experience since!)