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Original poster

Irritated by this conversation in the shop but would you actually do anything about it?

107 replies

crazyunicornlady73 · 17/07/2020 09:25

Just after some other perspectives on this as I'm annoyed and wondering if I'm over reacting a bit (difficult and hormonal day generally so that's entirely possible!)

Yesterday morning quite early I popped into my local shop. There was only me, one other customer and the assistant. I was wearing a mask, the others weren't.

They (shop assistant and other customer) proceeded to have a loud, pointed conversation about how ridiculous masks were and how they were just for show and people should get out of their own backsides. All whilst sniggering in my direction.

The other customer left and as I was being served I told the shop assistant that I wouldn't continue shopping there if this attitude to masks was shared by all staff.

The assistant sniggered at me for a while then said "well I don't give a fuck"

As I left he'd called the other customer back (they clearly knew each other) and were giggling together again.

I'm annoyed but just wondered what others would do?

Let it go over my head and do nothing (I'm usually quite laid back and would choose this)

Stop using the shop (possible but inconvenient)

Complain (tempting and I've found an address but it does feel a bit OTT honestly)

What would you do?

OP posts:
fairislecable · 17/07/2020 10:29

Regardless of the mask wearing dispute - he was rude to a customer. He should definitely be pulled up on it . There is probably cctv that can be used to check on his behaviour as he is not being paid to insult the customers.

AlternativePerspective · 17/07/2020 10:32

Yes I would complain. And. Would hope that telling a customer to fuck off would mean instant dismissal.

And yes, I’m sure the “so you would destroy his livelihood” brigade will be along shortly to tell me how unfair it is that I should want someone dismissed, but fact is that there are a lot of people more deserving of a job than someone who tells a customer to fuck off...

Original poster
crazyunicornlady73 · 17/07/2020 10:32

Interestingly the swearing seems to be the main thing that people think is awful here.(whilst being laughed at/talked about upset me more) I wonder if my area is tougher than I thought as two 19-21 year old lads using "fuck" is quite commonplace.

Also it's a petrol station/spar type affair and I'm guessing doing the night shift there maybe doesn't require a massive level of customer service training 🤷‍♂️

Thanks for all your replies, I may go down the route of having a quiet word with the owner next time they're around.... not really keen on making a proper complaint.

OP posts:
mbosnz · 17/07/2020 10:33

I would complain. Shop management and owners need to be alerted to the poor conduct of their staff, which could very much be to the detriment of their business, many, if not all, of which are struggling at the moment. The staff concerned need to face the potential consequences of their actions, and be educated to the fact that this is not how you behave when you are fortunate enough in the current economic environment to have a job.

Original poster
crazyunicornlady73 · 17/07/2020 10:33

And yes, I’m sure the “so you would destroy his livelihood” brigade will be along shortly to tell me how unfair it is that I should want someone dismissed, but fact is that there are a lot of people more deserving of a job than someone who tells a customer to fuck off...

I must admit the thought of getting somebody dismissed does worry me a bit.

OP posts:
Mischance · 17/07/2020 10:34

I would complain - not only was he rude, but the shop is putting others at risk.

kenandbarbie · 17/07/2020 10:35

I would complain. Imagine if you were the owner, you'd be horrified!

Iwalkinmyclothing · 17/07/2020 10:37

I must admit the thought of getting somebody dismissed does worry me a bit.

But you wouldn't be getting him dismissed. If he was dismissed as a result of this it would be due to his behaviour and actions, nothing else.

Kandigirl71 · 17/07/2020 10:38

You did the right thing for you and your family, you wore a mask. Millions of people around the world are doing the same thing. Don't waste any energy processing what they think. Continue to do what you do, shop there if you must, but don't engage.

BogRollBOGOF · 17/07/2020 10:44

Aside from the subject matter, being rude about customers and swearing when public facing is worthy of a complaint.

mouse70 · 17/07/2020 10:45

Report/complain He is likely to have been as rude and stupid with other customers. Very poor attitude on many levels

SinisterBumFacedCat · 17/07/2020 10:48

I would 100% complain to the manager. I can just imagine the manager asking for a description of the assistant, rolling in their eyes in recognition and muttering “not him again” before wandering off to find his P45. I think the swearing has shocked so many posters not because they are sheltered and don’t think teenagers swear, it just goes so far from the right way to treat a customer it’s self sabotaging.

Slanabhaile · 17/07/2020 10:56

I'd report based on the way he spoke to you, not necessarily on their private conversation.
If him losing his job is a consequence of talking to customers like that, maybe he won't 'give a fuck' about that either- lesson learnt though!

steppemum · 17/07/2020 10:58

Interestingly the swearing seems to be the main thing that people think is awful here.(whilst being laughed at/talked about upset me more) I wonder if my area is tougher than I thought as two 19-21 year old lads using "fuck" is quite commonplace.

it isn't the swearing per se, it is that a shop assisstant swore at a customer. Very rude.
but the rude comments are pretty poor seeing ashow it will be compulsory for them form next week!

LillianBland · 17/07/2020 10:59

That’s his tough shit, if he gets sacked. Why should the owner keep someone on that may lose them business, due to their treatment of customers? There will be decent people out their in desperate need of a job, yet you’re concerned about this little scrote being sacked? Just think how nice it will be that someone decent gets that job, instead and the owner keeps her/his customers.

GertrudeKerfuffle · 17/07/2020 11:05

If you like the owner you should have quiet word with them. I'm sure they'd want to know their employee is being rude and potentially putting off customers, and that way you're not making a big deal with a formal complaint.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 17/07/2020 11:14

Complain. They are twats and deserve their arses handed to them.

user1493494961 · 17/07/2020 11:18

I would complain.

verybritishproblems · 17/07/2020 11:19

I must be a bit of a mug, I read this and thought "oh yes I probably should have done this!" I suppose I was rushing to get to work, needed the items and another stop off would have been hugely inconvenient.... in my defence.

It probably caught you off guard and you didn’t know what to do. I wouldn’t buy from there anymore and definitely speak to the owner.

InfiniteSheldon · 17/07/2020 11:24

Don't go back if this really happened or complain about a silly boy having a bad day that he will probably cringe about when he's older and wiser

IntermittentParps · 17/07/2020 11:27

Complain to the manager, obviously. Why are you even asking? Swearing, giggling at and about customers... even without the attitude to masks that's not acceptable.

I must admit the thought of getting somebody dismissed does worry me a bit.
Manager's discretion whether to fire him or give him a kick up the arse some training in how not to talk and behave at work. Not your problem.

TheletterZ · 17/07/2020 11:31

@PlanDeRaccordement

I would not complain. You said they were teenagers (assistant and customer) who are well known to be obnoxious. Just let it go.
This annoys me. Some teenagers can be obnoxious but they have the ability to control themselves. And just to excuse it gives them license to continue, possibly into full adulthood.

Definitely complain / inform the manager, the assistant needs to learn some life skills very quickly.

OldEvilOwl · 17/07/2020 11:32

Report! I work in a similar role and would never speak to a customer like that! I'm sure their manager would like to know if this is happening in their shop

Elderflower14 · 17/07/2020 11:36

I work in a shop... Complain definetly.. I would never talk to a customer like that....

ravensoaponarope · 17/07/2020 11:38

Absolutely complain.