(I get calls like this on my mobile regularly.)
Caller: “Hi, this is [Caller] with [Some Company]. Can I speak to [My Name]?”
Me: “This is she.”
Caller: “Thank you; could I have you verify your mailing address and birthdate?”
Me: “Nope.”
Caller: “Well, I won’t be able to proceed with the call unless you give it to me.”
Me: “I won’t give that information over the phone to someone who called me.”
Caller: “I already have your information; I just need you to verify it.”
Me: “You can tell me what you have and I’ll verify it, but I won’t give it to you over the phone since you called me.”
Caller: “Well then, I won’t be able to proceed with the call at this time. We’ll call again later.”
Me: “I still won’t give you that information later.”
Caller: “We’ll call later. Bye.”
(I work in a tile store.)
Me: “Do you have any questions or need any samples?”
Customer: “I do have a question on this tile in here.”
(The customer shows me a natural stone travertine that has a lot of variation through it.)
Customer: “I love the look of this tile. Can I just get this tile pattern on this one tile? I don’t like these other ones.”
Me: “Sir, natural stone varies, so no two tiles will look alike. You will get the same colors generally, but not the exact same pattern. You can see the change in the other tiles next to it. They are actually all the same tile.”
Customer: “You don’t know what you’re talking about. Tile doesn’t vary. You can make it look however you want. I saw it on TV. That ‘how to make stuff’ show.”
Me: “Sir, this is a natural material made by nature. I have no control over what patterns and colors come out of the mountain.”
Customer: “Well, you should talk to your supplier about that. This is just ugly. I hate natural stone.”
(A man going through security is stopped when the X-ray reveals that he has a full-length sword in his carry on luggage.)
Me: “Sir, what are you doing with this sword?”
Customer: “It’s a souvenir. It’s not even sharp.”
Me: “This can in no way go on board a plane.”
Customer: “But it’s not even sharp!”
Me: “You’re going to need to come with me. Anything like this, whether it’s a souvenir or not, should have been placed in your checked luggage.”
Customer: “I don’t believe this! It’s not a real sword! And it’s not even sharp?! Do I look stupid to you?”
Me: “You look like a person trying to bring a sword onto a plane.”
(Our store has a return policy involving fish: they can return them as long as they have the animal and receipt.)
Customer: “My fish died again.”
Me: “How long did you have the fish for?”
Customer: “Only about two days. This is the second fish this has happened with.”
(I proceed to start asking questions about her daily tasks of tank operations. After several minutes, I can’t figure out what is wrong.)
Me: “How about you take me through your daily routine?”
Customer: “Well, first I go down and feed the fish. Then I pick him up and pet him for a bit. Then around lunchtime, I pet him some more.”
Me: “So you pull the fish out of the water and pet it?”
Customer: “Only for a few minutes. Why?”
Me: “Fish can’t breathe out of water. Didn’t you notice it gasping?”
Customer: “Well, it can just hold its breath, right?”
(A customer with a large bag enters the store.)
Me: “Excuse me, ma’am. You’re going to have to check your bag there up at the front counter.”
Customer: “Why?! I’ve never had to before!”
Me: “I’m sorry, it’s store policy.”
Customer: “No, it isn’t! You’re doing this just because I’m not white! I guess non-white people aren’t welcome here!”
Me: “You’re more than welcome here, but it’s store policy that all shoppers check their bags.”
Customer: “Show me a sign that says this is your policy!”
(I take her up front and show her the large, bright-red sign with bold, white letters that says customers are required to check their bags before shopping.)
Customer: “You put this out because you saw me coming!”
