I’m a security guard at the local market. I see a regular customer come in with his teenage daughter. Most employees and some other regulars know that the daughter has autism, and she always wears earmuffs when out in public due to her sensitive hearing.
Me: “Good morning, [Regular]. Morning, [Daughter].”
Regular: “Morning.”
The daughter just smiles and gives a small wave. They go about their shopping and I think nothing more of it.
About twenty minutes later, a loud crash comes from the back of the store. I rush over and find the regular holding his daughter, who’s currently holding her earmuffs tightly and rocking in place. Another customer is yelling his head off at the daughter. Several wine bottles are shattered on the floor.
Angry Customer: “You stupid b****! If you had taken off those f****** headphones, you’d have heard me coming around the corner!”
The regular is gently trying to soothe his daughter while talking in an even tone to the customer.
Regular: “Sir, I apologize on my daughter’s behalf for getting in your way, but I must ask that you tone it down. She’s very sensitive to loud noises, and we don’t need—”
Angry Customer: “It’s not my fault your daughter’s a [ableist slur]! Look at this f****** mess!”
I can see the regular struggling to keep his composure, and I know the only thing keeping him from decking the other customer is that he doesn’t want to aggravate his daughter any further. I quickly step in.
Me: “Okay, that’s enough. Nobody’s hurt. Sir, I suggest you continue with your shopping and please leave these two alone.”
Angry Customer: “Stay out of this, rent-a-cop! I make three times your salary! Who are you to order me around?!”
The owner arrives and sees the commotion.
Owner: “What’s going on?”
I quickly recap the situation while the angry customer continues to curse and scream, and at one point, I even have to stop him from trying to reach over and rip off her earmuffs.
Owner: *To me* “Kick his a** out now. I’m calling the police.” *Walks away*
Me: “All right, sir, time to go. You’re causing a disturbance and you’re no longer welcome here.”
Angry Customer: “Shut the f*** up! This is public property! I have a right to be wherever the f*** I want!”
Me: “Actually, this store is private property, and you’re now considered trespassing, so I suggest you leave your groceries and leave, as the police are on the way.”
Angry Customer: “F*** this place! I hope it burns down with all of you inside, especially that [ableist slur]!” *Storms away*
I check on the regular and his daughter while the janitor shows up to clean the mess.
Me: “Are you two all right? Sorry about this.”
The daughter is still rocking violently despite her father’s soothing.
Regular: “She’ll be fine, but I’d better take her home. I’m sorry. We’ll be back tomorrow.”
The police arrived fifteen minutes later and took information on the incident. They said to call again if the customer came back; fortunately, he never did.
The regular and his daughter came back the next day like he said, and thankfully, she seemed to be back to normal!
