Respect People’s Pronouns Or We’ll Identify You As A Problem
Human resource recently issued us updated nametags which include pronouns on them. The scheme has been a massive success with staff and has picked the mood up considerably.
Our nametags have sparked some conversations with some customers, but the reaction has been mostly positive. Mostly.
I’m rather visibly masculine, identify as such, and have a male-coded name. The pronouns on my name badge read “he/him”.
Customer: “Ahem.”
Me: “Hi, how can I help?”
The customer glances at my nametag and rolls his eyes.
Customer: “Well, [Female Version of My Name], I’m looking for the toilet roll.
Me: “It’s [My Name], and we have a selection of toilet roll on aisle five. Would you like me to take you there?”
Customer: “I’m perfectly capable of going there myself, [Female Name]. And stop pretending to be a man.”
Me: “Excuse me?”
Customer: “I’ve had enough of d*** [transgender slur]s! You’re just pretending to be a man!”
Me: “I’m going to have to ask you to leave the store. We won’t be serving you.”
This stops him dead in his tracks.
Customer: “But… you… I want a manager! Now!”
My manager, hearing the commotion, practically sprints over.
Manager: “What’s going on here?”
The customer spots my manager’s nametag and his pronouns.
Customer: “Can I speak to someone in this store that isn’t a f****** [slur]?!”
Manager: “Leave.”
Customer: “I DEMAND A MANAGER.”
Manager: “I am the manager; get out of my store.”
Realising that he is getting nowhere, the customer shoves past us and storms out, continuing to loudly rant and ramble about “Those d*** [slur]s!”
Manager: “Good riddance.”