I've just thought of something that happened 20 years ago in a shop and can't think how I should have handled it, nor how I would advise my own DD to handle it if it happened to her.
It's not anything terrible but it annoys me and I know I didn't handle it properly.
So it's the 90s, 1 independent posh department store in town to buy high end makeup. I'm 15 & with best friend I go to buy my first high end foundation. I was very into beauty & would read lots of magazine interview with MUAs so had decided Estee Lauder was the one.
At the counter I try it on back of hand and the woman has face like a slapped arse and says pointedly "it IS £30 girls"
We both timidly said we knew and I wanted to see how it blended. I asked about shades and she shut me down refusing to discuss saying again "it's £30 can you even afford it? " she was extremely irritated .
One more question about if we had the money was enough to embarrass us to scuttle away, so floated over to Clinique where a nice lady was delighted to take my money.
So what should I have done? Back then I don't feel the (teen) customer was always right.
Should I have argued with her, asked if she's allowed to ask such a thing? Tell her I did have the money but I'm damned if I'd now give her any commission? Opened my wallet to show her the cash?!
I feel even if I'd ask to see the manager, I'd be seen as an arsey teenager.
Today a quick tweet would get you onto customer service but stuff like that in my sleepy town didn't exist.
I think about this now as I really don't know how I'd advise my own daughter to handle it in the moment