When you work in a grocery store (or any store), there’s nothing worse than a demanding customer. Invariably, if you’re working in any sort of capacity serving the public, you’re going to run into these jerks who act like they own stock in the place and think they can boss you around or be demeaning. Typically, you have to just grin and bear it because the customers can create a stink and cause a headache for you. However, if you can keep a cool head and think on your feet, there are things you can do to make the situation more bearable. Meditating with your eyes open, for example. Or singing a song in your head. In the story below, which may be fictional, is the perfect example of exacting some sweet revenge without putting your job at risk. Enjoy!
I’m a manager at a grocery store, so I get awesomely rude customers on a daily basis. Every Wednesday is senior discount day. You have to be 55-60 to qualify for the discount. Needless to say, Wednesdays are tense. Lots of seniors, and lots of other people who don’t want to deal with the seniors. I don’t generally mind the old folks. Most of them are pretty cool and have some interesting stories and cute jokes.
This Wednesday there was one particular customer who was being a huge pain in the a** from the moment she walked in. She was tall, blonde, high heels, very made up, and dressed to the nines. She was probably late 30s to early 40s. She came storming up to customer service, “There are NO parking spots. This is ridiculous. I’m going to request to corporate that you expand your parking lot, since you don’t seem to have the initiative to request that yourself.”
Off to a great start, lady.
She comes storming back up about 45 minutes later. “I am in a HUGE hurry, and every line has someone in it. I need to check out here.” We had three lines open, and each one had ONE single customer. ONE. I say “No problem, but I’ll get you at a checkout. You have too many items to get here.” She has a HUGE hissy fit. “I don’t have time for this. Let’s GO.”
At this point I was getting really annoyed…
As I’m checking her out, it is constant complaining.
“You only have one brand of makeup? That is ridiculous. I only wear MAC, but I was going to settle for Revlon, but you don’t even have that. Now I have to make a whole separate trip.”
“Please don’t put my bread on top of my eggs, the eggs could roll over and crush the bread.”
“Please bag my avocados separately; I need to use those for a face mask tonight. They need to be perfect, I have a photo session for work tomorrow. I’m in a magazine.”
She was unbelievable. Finally, at the end, I had had enough.
As she’s about to pay, I say, “Don’t forget today is senior discount day! You get 5% off!”
She just stared at me.
“What?” I smiled broadly. “Every Wednesday, senior citizens get 5% off their bill. I’ll go ahead and take it off. You are 55-60, right?” She is staring at me, debit card in hand, cheeks getting red. I lose my smile slowly and say “Oh, you don’t qualify? Sorry about that. Maybe next year! Thanks for your honesty.”
I haven’t seen her in the store since.
