Some People Never Change

(I’m on my first shift at a new grocery store job as a cashier. The store isn’t very busy, and things have been running quite smoothly. A middle-aged customer and her teenage daughter approach my register. I ring her up and bag her items.)

Me: “That will be £8.90, please.”

(While smiling sweetly at me, she hands me £10. I give her the appropriate change and receipt.)

Woman: “Um, excuse me, trainee, but I handed you a £20 note.”

Me: “Oh, I’m very sorry, I’ll just check that for you.”

(During the transaction, I had opened only the register to put her £10 inside. Due to store policy, all £20 notes have to be put in a security box under the register. Therefore, no £20 notes are in the register at all. I apologize, and explain this to her. She is all the while still smiling sweetly.)

Woman: “No, stupid girl, it was definitely a 20, wasn’t it?” *turns to her daughter*

Daughter: “Yeah, I saw it.”

Me: “I’m very sorry, but there is absolutely no physical £20 note in my cash register. Please, feel free to look.”

(She leans over and looks, then withdraws, still smiling.)

Woman: “Well, you must have just pocketed it while I wasn’t looking. Let’s not drag this out, honey. I’m not leaving until I get my change.”

(At this point, I call over my supervisor to help me deal with the situation. The woman explains her stance and I tell him exactly what I informed the customer. My supervisor explains that he would be more than happy to review security footage if she suspects theft. At this point her smile seems to disintegrate.)

Woman: “I really don’t have the time for this nonsense. If my hard-earned money means so much to that tramp then she can keep it.”

(The woman finally picks up her bag and leaves, her daughter following briskly, but not before telling me to ‘get a life.’ My supervisor leans in and speaks in a low voice.)

Supervisor: “Don’t worry about her. The girl she was with does the same thing whenever there’s a new face on a register. Now I see where she gets it from.”