To reply to a rude customer, saying no customers no wages….no workers no benefits

Yeah, I was getting the anti benefits statement. He's saying he's paying her wages but she thinks she's paying his. Kind of thing. I do get her frustration. But glad she didn't say it.

I’m happy to own my mistake, not being familiar with either the benefits system or the ins and outs of prescriptions. But, I think if that is the case then what you’ve done is even worse. Because you haven’t just made a baseless statement in the heat of the moment you’ve broadcast private information in an area where others could be reasonably expected to hear it. After all, you said it was busy…. Now, without a name it’s probably not a data breach, but if their name was subsequently called out when the prescription was ready it would be because the two pieces of information could be put together. So, are you willing to own your mistake…?

People picking up prescriptions can be anxious about it for all sorts of stressful reasons, so I would expect pharmacy staff, especially ones who know they are understaffed and failing to provide an efficient service, to try and be nice.

You were rude and unprofessional.

What are you actually talking about here? A pharmacist in the back dispensing medication? Of course nobody would expect them to stop what they're doing and greet a customer. Similarly, nobody would expect to be greeted when they joined a queue of other customers.
If I'm stood in front of someone who is dealing with paperwork or something then, yes, it doesn't feel too much to expect them to glance up with a smile and say something along the lines of 'I will be with you in a minute'.

My pharmacy does that anyway. They have assistants out the front and the people dispensing medicine out the back. The assistant out the front might be sorting scripts but if I'm the only person in there when I walk in they'd always glance up and greet me if they can't serve me straight away.

So if he was paying for his prescription you’d have said what exactly?

Using his private information to berate him is rather low. You’re using information learnt in the course of your job to try to embarrass someone. As an employer I wouldn’t be happy with that.

Yes I completely agree. People actually mostly respond well to a big smile rather than a snippy irritated staff member.

Ah, so you are saying you are better than him, because he's on benefits? It's not an attitude that's going to cover you in glory, to be honest. However, if you are going to stick with that, are you sure you are a net contributor to the tax system?

You are rude.what an arrogant madam you are. Serving in a chemist shop and giving yourself such airs and graces. Put up a sign so people on benefits know to bow to your superior self.

I’m really hoping this is just “what you would like to have said” and not actually what you said.

Because if you publicly shamed a customer for being on benefits as punishment for their rudeness then that’s absolutely appalling.

I’m astonished your manager hasn’t had a serious conversation with you.

Yes I get in the queue because there are signs and a clear communication of the process. But there is actually a staffed reception so yeah you wait your turn but you can see you will get processed. Waiting at an empty pharmacy desk that's clearly in chaos and seems to have no order and is in obvious chaos can to some people be so frustrating. Put a friendly sign on the desk it really will help. Of course there will always be simply rude people but that's unfortunately a downside of working in a public facing role. Looking at solutions rather than getting annoyed might be a good start

A pharmacy is still a business. A business doesn't survive without business. Business is provided via customers.

It sounds like you blanked him rather than offering a friendly 'Ill be with you in a couple of minutes' and he, rightly, felt slighted. His response was rude as well but prompted by you. I don't know why people work in a customer facing role if they don't actually enjoy dealing with the public. Just smile and be polite and you'll get a smile back and then everyone's having a better day and you might enjoy your job more!

Well don’t you sound a delight?

It’s very easy to say, “Won’t be a moment,” or “I’ll be with you shortly,” without even looking at the customer. That would diffuse most people immediately.

Unfortunately, in a customer facing role you will always get rude people but you have to develop a thick skin and just smile sweetly. Being rude back won’t make your life easily and two wrongs don’t make a right.

If you can’t handle this, I’d suggest a different job.

I mean, he's right.

takes nothing to acknowledge someone

Normally im on staff side in retail! But pharmacy’s are a joke now, you are lucky if you can get a prescription or a an over the counter medication without a half hour wait. I appreciate it’s not the staffs fault but most people are frustrated. Recently I had to go to the pharmacist and was told for the third time this year “sorry no pharmacist in as he’s missed his train”. Same excuse every time.

Not everyone in receipt of free prescriptions is on benefits. So that’s your first mistake. My late husband, type 1 diabetic and on dialysis, was entitled to free prescriptions and we didn’t get any benefits from the state. It sounds like you might not be cut out for a customer facing job if that’s the service you provide and your reaction!

Ah, ok. Yeah, she shouldn't really say that I don't think.

Well at my local a and e you so get seen and checked in by the receptionist immediately then triaged them you wait accordingly. There are signs and information telling you the process. If you communicate with your customers it could save some frustration.

Exactly.