We’re More Good Than You, Apparently

(I work as an event specialist handing out samples in a big box store. Our work outfits consist of a black hat and apron with the store logo on them, but they look nothing like the regular store employee vests. One day, my coworker and I are setting up our carts when we’re approached by a customer.)

Customer: “Excuse me? Can you help me find something?”

Me: “I can try! What are you looking for?”

(Technically, our job isn’t to find random items in the store, just to showcase our demo products, but we can tell a customer where something is. We are not obligated to find a store employee, nor do we have walkie-talkies to contact store employees.)

Customer: “I need [product I’ve never heard of]!”

Me: “[Coworker], have you heard of [item]?”

Coworker: “No, I don’t know where it is.”

Me: “I’m sorry, ma’am, but I’m not sure where it’s located.”

Customer: “Well, why not?”

Me: “We’re considered vendors in the store. Our job is to hand out samples to customers. While I shop here often, I don’t know where everything is located…”

(The woman’s demeanor suddenly changes; she goes from polite to irate, and she cuts me off before I offer to find a store employee to help her.)

Customer: “Well, what f****** good are you, then?”

(The customer slams her cart into our work carts — basically tables on wheels — and takes off down the aisle.)

Coworker: “Some people… Even the people that work here don’t know where everything is!”