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Banned from my local supermarket after an argument with a member of staff- my language was bad though.

1000 replies

Alderedge1 · 24/08/2026 13:55

So today I’ve been banned from my local supermarket, I’m not proud of what happened but I think that the member of staff was also in the wrong.

i was in the fruit and veg aisle looking to get some pre- chopped melon. The ones that come in sealed plastic pots. They were stacked quite tightly and some of the dates were quite soon, so I decided to go towards the back, in doing this I accidentally knocked 5 or 6 pots off the shelf. Immediately a female member of staff was on me- telling me “ you’re supposed to take the ones from the front”. I apologised for knocking some of them from the shelf but explained that it was my choice to choose the date that I wanted. By this point I had reassembled the display, so no harm done. She carried on chuntering so I said something like “ it’s really not a big deal, let’s move on”. As I went to walk away she said, “ it’s just not on”. I’m afraid this is where I let myself down. She was a small pointy woman of about 60 with short dyed red hair. I asked her what her problem was and she said “ customers like you thinking they own the place” to which I replied ( I know this is bad) “fuck off and shut your cunt up you fucking crackhead Anne Robinson lookalike”. It’s not often I take such a low blow but I had a rough upbringing and when I’m really pushed it emerges. The lady stormed off.

as I was leaving a manager asked me if I could step into an office for a chat, I said no thank you. She then said well I’m afraid that you won’t be able to shop here moving forwards.

so that’s that. Not proud of my mouth but she was a fucking horrible twat.

OP posts:
Enigma54 · 24/08/2026 15:53

Wow, those words are brutal. They wouldn’t even enter my head to say them to someone! YABVU!

HotGrapefruit · 24/08/2026 15:55

You got off lightly. We used to report any c- of f- words directed at staff to the police. Count yourself lucky!

Ilovecrispytofu · 24/08/2026 15:55

ItsOnlyMee1 · 24/08/2026 14:20

Buy a fake moustache, overcoat and some dark glasses. Problem solved.

This is what I was going to suggest, is it a superstore where you can slip under the radar with a hat/ face mask? I do think her behaviour was rude but obviously you should have complained to the manager instead of resorting to verbal abuse (although I also find the Anne Robinson reference hilarious!) 🤣

FluffyFlipflops · 24/08/2026 15:55

She was wrong for commenting that you have to buy the ones at the front, you were correct that you can buy any on the shelf that you choose to. However the way you spoke to her was disgraceful and completely uncalled for, I'm not surprised you've been banned.

Iliketulips · 24/08/2026 15:56

It's a shame you didn't insist on speaking to a supervisor or manager, leaving in their hands to assess - there's highly likely to be camera footage which will show the continued conversation and from her movements/facial expressions they'll be able to tell a bit more.

Livinthedrama · 24/08/2026 15:56

For those that can't believe it happened, I can. My DP had a traumatic childhood and could get triggered into that kind of behaviour. He has had a lot of therapy to help keep it under control and I would recommend the OP consider the same.

Calliopespa · 24/08/2026 16:00

I don't believe this thread OP. I have never in all my life (honestly) ever heard a string of such offensive language strung together quite like that. It just kept unravelling.

It feels like a school holiday thread ... Any self-respecting adult who really said that would not be admitting to it online and asking if it was so bad, but hiding at home in shame until they knew they had really got a grip again. Filthy. filthy language! Truly.

Until then, however, I thought she was out of order: of course you can choose any date of product you wish. If it is out on the shelves, it's for sale.

Some supermarket staff fail to see the wood for the trees. I frequently have them rudely ask me to "please step aside" as "we need to restock that shelf". That would be for the benefit of your valued customers I guess ... like me!

Morepositivemum · 24/08/2026 16:00

you couldn’t have used worse language- you hit every single bad word. Please don’t blame your upbringing- you told us it was bad so you knew it. You need to learn to control your temper, I am sorry you’re barred though

BitterTits · 24/08/2026 16:01

Why did you feel the need to post this on Mumsnet? Do you like attention?

bakeabake · 24/08/2026 16:01

To be fair the member of staff was quite rude and shouldn't have spoken to you like that.

Thats bad customer service.

Sorry I had to laugh at your Anne Robinson comment lol.

Potatoespotaarrrrtos · 24/08/2026 16:02

You weren’t funny (I actually cringed) and no one deserves to go to work and face that level of abuse. I’m embarrassed for you!

OneNewLeader · 24/08/2026 16:02

What type of melon was it.

Lilliputain · 24/08/2026 16:02

Morepositivemum · 24/08/2026 16:00

you couldn’t have used worse language- you hit every single bad word. Please don’t blame your upbringing- you told us it was bad so you knew it. You need to learn to control your temper, I am sorry you’re barred though

Edited

If I say Anne Robinson three times in a mirror will bad things happen to me?

Shatteredallthetimelately · 24/08/2026 16:03

So...You've been banned.

Move on....

Calliopespa · 24/08/2026 16:03

BitterTits · 24/08/2026 16:01

Why did you feel the need to post this on Mumsnet? Do you like attention?

I think it has to be a summer holiday wind up doesn't it?

It only lacked the description of the OP as a Hyacinth Bouquet style shopper to fully set the scene.

MagicMagpie · 24/08/2026 16:05

That is a suspiciously long and elaborate insult to come up with so fluently on the spur of the moment! too many adjectives 😂

Lilliputain · 24/08/2026 16:05

But which Waitrose was it? Did the manager say “youaretheweakestlinkgoodbye” with cats bum face?

Howmanycatsistoomany · 24/08/2026 16:05

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Am I the only one who finds this more offensive than OP's language?

Not aware of any rules that say that council house tenants can't shop in sodding Waitrose or have gates on their driveways @hourglass2 !

Calliopespa · 24/08/2026 16:05

bakeabake · 24/08/2026 16:01

To be fair the member of staff was quite rude and shouldn't have spoken to you like that.

Thats bad customer service.

Sorry I had to laugh at your Anne Robinson comment lol.

Sorry I had to laugh at your Anne Robinson comment lol.

My brain had gone into voluntary shutdown before I even got to that bit. None of it was funny.

I am sure this thread was designed to provoke anecdotes of all the putrid things we mums say when feeling a wee bit provoked.

Girlwithavibe · 24/08/2026 16:07

She unfortunately pushed your buttons she knew what she was doing !!
You don't keep poking the bear !she's a shop worker u don't talk to customers like that either !!!
Obviously op lost the plot and u know what sometimes people Can push u to explode , the good thing is u know u fucked up op the best thing to do is email the manager and State clearly what the worker did before u lost your rag ! Because she was the one that pushed the situation !

Dollymylove · 24/08/2026 16:07

Blimey I wouldnt like to get on the wrong side of you!!

Calliopespa · 24/08/2026 16:09

Well you handled that with dignity OP.

PinkKimonos · 24/08/2026 16:09

Calliopespa · 24/08/2026 16:09

Well you handled that with dignity OP.

😃😃

Viviennemary · 24/08/2026 16:11

When you were asked to go in the Manager's office I expect you would have got told off for unacceptable behaviour (cough) and given the chance to apologise and promise it wouldn't happen again.But you refused so were banned. And you could have explained the member of staff was rude to you.

Squishymama · 24/08/2026 16:15

@Alderedge1 sorry but that made me actually laugh out loud!

Yeah you were ok until you lost your rag and called her a cunt 😂😂😂 people really strongly dislike that word.

But to be totally honest I was married to a not very nice man and I no longer let language/words carry such weight, and using them a bit more freely definitely helps with that.

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