Your Argument Is Heated But Your Reasons Are Cold

(It’s a record-breaking day for temperatures, which are exceeding 45 degrees Celsius — 113 F — all over the country. It’s still 35 degrees Celsius — 95 F — at eight pm. I’m a manager on duty doing the night shift and helping the kids — younger coworkers — by dispatching orders in between making burgers.)

Me: “Order [number]! [Meal]?”

Customer: *visibly angry* “How could you do this to these children?!”

Me: “I’m sorry, ma’am?”

Customer: “Do you know how hot it is?”

(I am visibly sweating, as the air conditioning keeps failing every other hour due to the system overheating.)

Me: “Yes, I do. I’m doing everything in my power to make sure these kids have plenty of water and I’m even giving out frozen slushies to the kids. Have you ordered yet?”

Customer: “You have my order! I hope you’re ashamed of yourself! Why are you even open?!”

Me: “Unfortunately, I have no say in when we open or close the store outside the listed hours, but I assume it’s so we can continue serving customers such as yourself. If you’re unhappy about the situation we’re in, I’m happy to give you a refund on your order so you can choose somewhere else to eat?”

Customer: “Are you kidding?! I need to feed my family!”

(With that, the customer grabbed her bucket and stormed out of the store.)