Some People Just Want To Watch The World Burn, Part 39
I worked for a chain coffee store located inside a larger grocery store. I worked there for five years, and I will never forget the most entitled person I have ever met in my entire life. She was this regular customer (daily!) who came through with her full cart after getting her groceries and always had a complaint… always.
Customer: “Oat latte.”
Me: “I’m sorry, ma’am, but we’re out of oat milk today. We have soy, almond, coconut—”
Customer: *Cutting me off.* “—No! I am the customer, and the customer wants oat milk! We’re in a grocery store for crying out loud! Go out there and get some oat milk!”
Me: “I wish it were that easy, ma’am, but we have to use the brand approved by the chain, so I can’t simply—”
Customer: *Cutting me off again.* “—Can’t this, can’t that. I am tired of hearing what you can’t do. What you can do is get me your manager.”
Luckily, this is a small store and the manager is nearby. In fact, he’s heard everything but was waiting for me to call him over, which I do.
Manager: “Ma’am, my employee here is correct. We’d love to be able to get you some oat milk from the store, but working for a large national chain has its limitations with regard to how flexible we can be with our menu. I’m happy to give you your latte with another milk on the house today for your inconvenience.”
Customer: “…fine.” *She glances at me.* “And she will be reprimanded, yes?”
Manager: “I’m… sorry?”
Customer: “Your worker here needs to be reprimanded for speaking to me so rudely.”
Manager: “Not once did I hear her being anything but professional toward you, ma’am.”
Customer: “She denied me service.”
Manager: “No, she told you we were out of stock of something. Just because you didn’t like what she had to say doesn’t mean she was denying you service.”
Customer: “I am here every day, so I would expect to be treated with more respect than what I received. You all know I drink oat milk, so she should be reprimanded for failing to maintain stock levels. I don’t want to see her serving me again.”
Manager: “No, ma’am. That will not be happening.”
Customer: “Do you not understand what I am saying? I am threatening to take my daily business elsewhere!”
Manager: “I’d rather have this employee instead of you as a customer; you’re not welcome here anymore. You could have had a free coffee from us today, but now you’re not getting one from us ever again. Please leave.”
She pushed her “threat” a few more times, but stormed out when it was apparent my manager wasn’t going to budge. After she leaves:
Me: “She… uh, normally has an almond latte, actually.”
Manager: “I know. I saw her walk in, look at the menu, see that the ‘out of stock’ sticker had been added to ‘Oat’ and almost smiled when it gave her something to argue about. Some people live only to cause misery in others, and I’m done with it. Good riddance.”
Related:
Some People Just Want To Watch The World Burn, Part 38
Some People Just Want To Watch The World Burn, Part 37
Some People Just Want To Watch The World Burn, Part 36
Some People Just Want To Watch The World Burn, Part 35
Some People Just Want To Watch The World Burn, Part 34
