Monday, September 28, 2009

in case we forgot that people can be dumb and inconsiderate

So while I'm at work, I inevitably have to deal with customers. We have to ask everyone we see "Can I help you find something?" Most people say "no thanks, I'm just looking" and that's fine. Some people jump and yell NO! like I caught them doing something wrong. Whatever, I smile at them and we never see each other again. But here are some examples of how that didn't work.

me: Hi, can I help you find something?
lady: No thank you, but I wish they would organize the store while it was closed. This way is incredibly rude.

Keep in mind, there are people that arrive in the store at 4am to unload the truck and get the merchandise on the floor. Then there are people there ALL DAY that are continually pushing merchandise out so the customer can buy what he or she wants. And, as one of these people, I know it is a priority to make the customer happy first. This means that even if we are pushing a heavy unmanuveable cart full of stuff, it is our job to get out of the customer's way. So I'm sorry lady if you think we're rude. Also: maybe you shouldn't be waiting at the door when we open if you don't want to be "inconvenienced."

Of course I didn't say any of that to her. I just frowned at her and walked away.

Then I was moving a rando ironing board off the floor and bringing it back to its home. While I was holding and flipping / turning a 6-ft tall ironing board so it could stand on its feet, a lady decides to walk up my aisle with her 2 year old son. I almost beaned the son because I was flipping around a 6 foot tall ironing board. No "excuse me" no "oh my gosh I'm so sorry!" Nothing. She wasn't even buying anything on this aisle, she was just passing through. Now maybe it's just me, but when I see a tiny person manuevering a giant object, I try to stay out of their way. Apparently that's just crazy around here.

Speaking of children, then I saw a small child, probably 4-5 years old, wandering around by himself. Of course he was in the toy section, but I didn't see anyone that looked like they were his parent. So I asked the little boy:

me: Hey buddy, who are you here with?
boy: my dad
me: and where's your dad right now?
boy: I dunno. But he knows where I am so its ok.
me: Are you sure he knows where you are, because I don't see him anywhere.
boy: yeah, its ok.

So I hung out with the boy for a bt while my friend went to go find the dad. About 5 (five!) minutes later, this guy walks up on his cell phone.

me: Sir, is this your son?
guy: Yeah ("hold on" sign, he;s on the phone!)

I see that it would be of no use to lecture the guy because he is obviously too busy to, oh I don't know, look after his son, so we just walk away. But what if something had happened? Guess who that guy would have blamed? The store. Because I'm sure it would be our fault if we were on the phone not paying attention to his sone and he got snatched or something.

So whatever. It irks me, but there's nothing I can do. So I continue putting out my merchandise. This old guy with 2 teeth (yeah I counted) asks me for help. I show him what he's looking for, then he grabs my arm. I resist the urge t punch him in the face, and say

You're not actually allowed to touch me.
guy: Oh, I just wanted to get a good look at your tattoo.
me: that's fine, you can look, but you are ABSOLUTELY not allowed to touch me. Ever.

he continued making excuses, but I seriously almost decked him. I mean seriously, who touches strangers?

So, the last few days I've had a few trying customers. But you know what? I've worked in retail all my life, so I expect people to be asshats. I'm definitely not complaining about my job. I think that maybe since its time for my day off I might just be a wee bit cranky. ;)

2 comments:

SUEB0B said...

In Illinois, I went to the big red bullseye store about 8:30 pm on a Sunday night after BlogHer. I walked in, and within 5 minutes had the 3 items I needed - water, phone charger, nail polish remover.

The lady in front of me was complaining to the cashier. "Well, you USED to have these $5 t-shirts and now you don't carry them anymore? I will just go to Wal-Mart."

Her snotty kid added "Yeah, we'll just go to WalMart!"

I said "I love (this store). It makes me proud to be an American. This store represents so much that is truly great about this country. It is clean and organized and I can find anything I need, and it is full of bargains."

I did my part to defend your honor! Even though you didn't yet work there.

super des said...

aw Thanks Suebob!

You know, I would never work at Walmart, but I took the job I have now because I already loved that store. :)

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