Rude people in shops - today it was all women

[Coaster1]

I’ve just done a hard days grafting in shop today. The major of customers were delightful. However the ones who were downright rude were all women. One even called me ‘sneaky’ because an item appeared twice on the bill in error - implying i was somehow on the make. She then said loudly ‘are you listening to me?’ As I tried to rectify it on the till. Another marched up to the till and said “refund please” even though it was a food item and there was nothing wrong with it other than she’d changed her mind. Legally we don’t have to give refunds in that situation but I wasn’t going to cross her.
these are just two examples from several today. All women, and interestingly all
were with men
i don’t know what I’m saying other than please take a moment sisters and don’t be rude. We’re all under pressure.

If you read some of the threads on here about what some women go through around Christmas eg no help, manic kids, husband vomitting all over the house etc I can understand (but not condone) why that stress comes out towards strangers. I'm sorry you were the stranger who had to put up with it and I hope your weekend gets better.

I'm sorry that you had a couple of rude people in your store today OP.
It really doesn't make your day any better does it?
The sad part is you said it in your last sentence: We're all under pressure.
The season of Christmas and Christmas shopping isn't fun or easy for many people.
Almost everyone is thinking about how to save money or how not to spend it.
When people feel they've been short-changed whether that be real or perceived, that can be the match that lights the fuse.
I hope the days you work, leading up to Christmas, are easier for you OP.

Aw thanks. I’m so aware of all the pressures people are under. It’s just seemed so abrupt rude and unnecessary to go in the offensive against a shop worker who cannot respond

It's a really tough job you and it must be very hard to do it with grace at times.

I think as PPs say women are probably ruder than men because they take on more shit, not that it's much of an excuse, and some might just be rude cows.

I do hope you either fix them with a long stare, or do a theatrical lip tremble, I would.

I work in a shop.

I have to go through consultations with people to design the product they want me to make for them so they have to have a proper and detailed conversation with me.

People have poor social skills these days and many have little generosity of spirit towards us.

I am neutrally friendly when I first encounter customers but I would say 20 % of them are unpleasant from the start. My only idea why is they think I'm gonna screw them over somehow so they want to get in there first.

I have actually told a few vile people I actually won't take their job and they need to take their custom somewhere else. But I'm the boss so I get to make those decisions luckily.

Comisserations OP

I'm sorry you had to put up with that OP. I try to be really polite to shop staff, especially now when they are all so busy.

My aunt is so rude to assistants and waiting staff it's embarrassing. The most amazing thing is that she worked in retail all her life. It's like now she's retired she's getting even.

Working retail can be a thankless job
You have my sympathies op
From an ex retail worker.👍

I go out of my way to be nice to retail workers regardless of the time of year but even more so at Christmas.

my daughter works in a major high street store and the way some customers speak to her is disgusting and they think it’s ok to do so. You have my admiration and sympathy op.

'Don't talk nasty to the waiter and then talk nice to me - cos I know you'd treat me like that if you could.'

Muhammad Ali.