Stop smiling; it's not funny

[Littlefinger]

It feels like people are just picking mindless fights lately. I had a lady get pissy with me today because I didn't say "thank you" when she threw a box of tissues at me that she left in her cart. I took the bait. When she slammed it onto the counter, almost hitting me, I blinked and scanned it and continued on. She huffed and said "You're welcome" like I owed her a thank you, so, I said, "yes, thank you for throwing that at me".

"Well I could have just left it in the cart!"

"There's no need to be rude about it."

"You got rude first!"



I'm a very sunny person in real life. Like, I'm so fucking flamboyantly gay, people are surprised when I tell them I like women too(all genders and gender identities, actually). It's really hard to get me down but I felt like this old woman seriously came to my checkout lane looking for a reason to fisticuffs and I'm so good at customer service, I was almost ready to comply. Please be thoughtful to your over-worked and stressed service workers this holiday season.

 

[Wild_Honey_66]

Skip your flamboyantly gay little self over here and let me hug your neck.

{L.F.}

Sorry she was grumpy at you.

 

[ms_ann_thrope]

Skip your flamboyantly gay little self over here and let me hug your neck.

{L.F.}

Sorry she was grumpy at you.

He's not gay. He's versatile.

 

[Wild_Honey_66]

versatile's good. I like versatile.

*bites thumb*

 

[QueenLevitra]

I needed exactly 3 things at the store today to complete my holiday shit.

2 lbs. of sliced meat at the deli was one of them.

I plastered on my fake it til I make it home smile and ordered with the cute little chic only to see her go into her head for a couple seconds....

That was when she apologized and showed me her bandaged fingers inside the plastic glove and stated that she had had the EXACT same order this morning from another customer that resulted in 15 stitches to 2 of her fingers and I knew if was PTSD, even if she didn't.

To HER credit, I got what I ordered, 20 minutes later than normal and I smiled and walked her through it.

I tried to tip her, she wouldn't take it. Maybe she couldn't, IDK.

BTW, she isn't American yet. I told her she was the spirit of America. I wasn't lying.

I doubt I will forget her smile for a very, very long time to come.

 

[Littlefinger]

I needed exactly 3 things at the store today to complete my holiday shit.

2 lbs. of sliced meat at the deli was one of them.

I plastered on my fake it til I make it home smile and ordered with the cute little chic only to see her go into her head for a couple seconds....

That was when she apologized and showed me her bandaged fingers inside the plastic glove and stated that she had had the EXACT same order this morning from another customer that resulted in 15 stitches to 2 of her fingers and I knew if was PTSD, even if she didn't.

To HER credit, I got what I ordered, 20 minutes later than normal and I smiled and walked her through it.

I tried to tip her, she wouldn't take it. Maybe she couldn't, IDK.

BTW, she isn't American yet. I told her she was the spirit of America. I wasn't lying.

I doubt I will forget her smile for a very, very long time to come.

 

[SCcouple1990]

I stopped by the grocery store for a few things. The person in front of me at the check out line was talking on the phone about Christmas gifts (that person wanted some appliances and the friend wants a TV). The person never acknowledged the cashier when the cashier greeted her, rung up, and bagged the groceries. Then the person told the friend to hold on a minute and asked "is you gonna give me my free drink for not asking me if I want to make a donation."

Keep it classy America.

 

[QueenLevitra]

Sometimes the truth outs,

even here.

:calm and bright:

 

[Muscadine_Eyes]

I worked at a department store a few years back. I once had a heated low voice argument with a customer over underwear being sold in 3's. My supervisor had to come and explain our policy to her. It was one of the only times I had a problem there.

For the holiday's I only remember checking out people from the time I clocked in to the time I clocked out. I loved the rush.

 

[Noor]

I was volunteering at the local food coop when this known to be strange customer came in. She waits until an aisle is completely clear before she goes down it, she gets upset if someone comes when she is there. She also looks away when she is paying for her food. One night I was working and she was there, and we were on alert so she didn't freak out on any body.

Something got to her because she was storming by the time she got to the register.
She started whipping frozen salmon steaks in my general direction, so I just stepped back and let it all whiz by. She then picked them up and dropped them on the belt.
I scanned it, told her the total, she paid, without looking at me, then didn't like an old penny I gave in change, so I gave her a newer one. Then she said "thank you" and skipped out of the coop.

 

[Libsam]

Today I went to the store, the cashier was this metrosexual looking dude who was just a bit too happy for my tastes, so I decided to turn that smile upside down by throwing a box of tissue on his counter. It worked, I ruined his whole day!



teehee ;p

 

[QueenLevitra]

At some point I've gotta wonder why people (here) who make less money than the underpaid clerks (mostly part time) at the stores they shop this time of year think it's fucking funny to troll that situation.

Karma is more than momentary.

Keep it up, Cunts.

I'll keep smiling.

 

[parodyluvr75]

I had an elderly woman get aggressive with me over the last purse on a display. I let her have it , then followed her around and she wound up putting it down. People are nuts.

 

[QueenLevitra]

I had an elderly woman get aggressive with me over the last purse on a display. I let her have it , then followed her around and she wound up putting it down. People are nuts.

How old do you guestimate?

Dementia could be a factor.

Or other things.

There but for the grace of Dog go all of us.

Yanno..?

 

[parodyluvr75]

I would guess, late 60s early 70s, so I let her have it. I wondered if she wanted it because I did? Then rethought it? Very true, those of us lucky enough to make it to old age have a whole host of things that can hit us.

 

[QueenLevitra]

I would guess, late 60s early 70s, so I let her have it. I wondered if she wanted it because I did? Then rethought it? Very true, those of us lucky enough to make it to old age have a whole host of things that can hit us.

As much stress as us "youngens" feel is so horribly compounded with just a few more years added into the equation.

 

[MNGuy]

Oh the stories I could tell from when I managed retail.

The one that comes to mind was when I was working in a downtown location. Lots of unstable customers, as well as the high powered business men and women on lunch break. A nice urban mixing ground.

Well one day an old man was bitching because the tunafish we had on sale was packed in oil, and he wanted it in water. Well, I explained to him we only carried it with oil, but if he would wait a day, I would pick some up from a grocery store that was in water. Finally he seemed satisfied, but still surly and grumpy. So he starts walking out the door, still holding the can of tunafish, so I said, 'Sir, can I have my tunafish back.'

He turned around and yelled, 'You want your tunafish, here's your fucking tunafish!' and threw the can at me.

I instinctively ducked, so did my cashier, but the woman behind us caught it right between the eyes. Split the top of her nose open, and she went down like a brick, bleeding profusely.

Well the old man took off, the police caught up to him at the bus stop.

The woman, an attorney, who had a run in her nylons, and just stopped in for a pair before afternoon court. So she sued us, the company settled out of court. The old man wasn't charged with anything.

 

[QueenLevitra]

When's the last time your lying ass had to use a bus stop?

 

[Que]

Today I went to the store, the cashier was this metrosexual looking dude who was just a bit too happy for my tastes, so I decided to turn that smile upside down by throwing a box of tissue on his counter. It worked, I ruined his whole day!



teehee ;p

I see what you did there.

 

[dirtwrench]

As a former long suffering member of the retail sales team, may I just say Thank You to those still in the trenches? It may have been a few years since I was there, but I have not forgotten.

Government work may not pay as well but, damn, at least all my "customers" are on the phone where they can't throw things at me.

 

[Libsam]

I see what you did there.

I should have embellished more!!

 

[unregistered]

 

[SumthingNuthing]

It feels like people are just picking mindless fights lately. I had a lady get pissy with me today because I didn't say "thank you" when she threw a box of tissues at me that she left in her cart. I took the bait. When she slammed it onto the counter, almost hitting me, I blinked and scanned it and continued on. She huffed and said "You're welcome" like I owed her a thank you, so, I said, "yes, thank you for throwing that at me".

"Well I could have just left it in the cart!"

"There's no need to be rude about it."

"You got rude first!"



I'm a very sunny person in real life. Like, I'm so fucking flamboyantly gay, people are surprised when I tell them I like women too(all genders and gender identities, actually). It's really hard to get me down but I felt like this old woman seriously came to my checkout lane looking for a reason to fisticuffs and I'm so good at customer service, I was almost ready to comply. Please be thoughtful to your over-worked and stressed service workers this holiday season.

My friend, nothing gives anyone the right to treat you as a sub-human. Heterosexual, pansexual, homosexual, asexual, it doesnt matter.... Human is Human. You dealt with the situation rather well, but in the future, remember that your dignity, integrity and self-respect pass ALWAYS before "good customer service".
You owed her a thank you as much as she owed you respect, courtesy and a genuine smile.
Life isn't easy as pie for those of us who aren't Windsor's or Rothschilds and we all deserve to support, encourage and respect each other rather than bicker over our petty little differences. Unfortunately, Life isn't like that. But respecting yourself demands others to respect you as well. Nothing is forcing you to take anyone's shit when it's misplaced. You deserve respect. So request it. And when it isn't given, then demand it.

Happy Holidays, mate!
Cheers!