When You Remember That Staff Are Human, Too
On my way to the store’s computers to type in an order — during a very packed Sunday — I come across a customer complaining loudly to my manager.
Customer: “Your employees are so lazy. I’ve been here for an hour and all they do is fiddle around those computers! This is unacceptable!”
In our store, salesmen have to type in the customers’ orders so the guys in the back can bring in what the customers want. Everyone is busy typing in multiple orders from multiple customers.
Manager: “Do not worry. An available salesman should be with you very soon.”
Me: *Right on cue* “Good afternoon! I will attend you!”
Customer: “About time! I can’t believe it took you so long. Y’all should be fired.”
The customer rants and raves without even following me to the display area, while hurling more insults at my coworkers. I am losing my patience as I am already stressed out as it is.
Me: “I SAID I WILL ATTEND YOU!”
The customer freezes in place and looks at me with a shocked face as if no one has talked to her like that before. After a couple of seconds of recovering:
Customer: “Don’t use that tone with me! I am a customer! I’m going to pay you with my money! I’m not trying to beg for gifts or anything!”
Realizing my mistake but still visibly angry, I give out what may seem like a very sarcastic smile and tone.
Me: “I apologize. Now, as I said… I will attend you.”
Customer: “You know what? I don’t want anything anymore! This store can go to h***.”
The customer stormed out angrily, my manager complimented me for getting rid of her — she was a known bad regular — and I went back to work.
Later, I found out that she came back with her husband, but not one of my coworkers wanted to take her order. One did eventually, but then, it turned out that we had run out of stock for what she wanted!
