There are some customers who really love going on power trips. They tend to think of themselves as royalty commanding lowly surfs whenever they walk into a store. This attitude of “the customer’s always right” has since begun to crumble ever since people could take out phone cameras and post this kind of rude behavior on social media for the world to see. Men and women who engage in this kind of behavior are often called “Karens” as they often demand to “speak to a manager” to get an employee fired — often just for telling them “no.” However, the man in this story wasn’t worried about being fired even when a pesky angry customer continued threatening his “job.” Thankfully, his “manager” stepped in to sort everything.
(Im shopping at a large electronics store. Im dressed casually in a blue graphic tee which, if you arent paying attention, for a second might look like what the employees wear.)
Other Customer: I need you to find this for me.
(I dont respond as I am not aware that she is talking to me. I am reading the specs on the back of a box. The other customer then shoves an opened item in my hands on top of the box I am holding.)
Me: What the h***?!
Other Customer: HELLO?! FIND this for me.
Me: *hands it back to her* I dont work here. Work on your manners, lady.
Other Customer: *she just stares at me for a minute* YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!
(I just shake my head and start walking away. She is really getting on my nerves.)
Other Customer: *following me* STOP RIGHT THERE! You are NOT allowed to talk to paying customers that way!
Me: IM a paying customer. I dont work here! Go away!
Other Customer: I want to talk to your manager! You need to be fired for your attitude.
Me: They cant fire me if I dont work here. Stop following me!
(At this point, other people are staring, laughing at the lady, and sharing sympathetic looks with me.)
Other Customer: Oh, well see about that!
(A manager steps in as this lady has made a scene in the store and a lot of people have taken notice.)
Manager: What seems to be the problem here?
Other Customer: This b**** is giving me the worst attitude! I have never been treated so badly in all my life!
Me: And this psycho keeps following me around thinking I work here! I keep telling her I dont work here!
Other Customer: You wont be working here if you keep up your b****y attitude!
(The manager is clearly very uncomfortable.)
Manager: Uh, maam, she doesnt actually work here.
Other Customer: You need to handle this! Fire this b**** immediately!
(The manager looks around at the customers and employees who have gathered at a safe distance and are snickering at the scene. He looks at me and shrugs.)
Manager: *to me* Uh Youre fired, maam?
Me: *dramatically and smiling* YOU CANT FIRE ME BEFORE YOUVE EVEN HIRED ME!
Manager: *smiling* Id like to offer you a job as an associate. Awesome pay and benefits?
Me: Ill TAKE it!
Manager: Youre fired.
Me: NOOOOOOO! How could you?!
(The crowd starts laughing.)
Other Customer: Are you MOCKING me?!
Me: Hes just giving you what you demanded. Now quit bothering me.
(She turned bright red and stormed out of the store without another word.)
Thanks for reading. Please be so kind as to pass this story to your friends and family?
Sources:
- “Customer Starts Shouting Abuse at an ‘Employee’ but Manager Intervenes” Blissful Slot.