AIBU?
To be utterly embarrassed by this Waitrose staff member
iPhoneDrone · 14/04/2011 17:43
I welcome all comments because I genuinely don't know if I am being oversensitive or not.
I visited our local waitrose last week with my 3 children and their friend so 4 under 5. They were all very well behaved (after being threatened warned in the car they wouldn't be getting sweets if they didn't), just a normal shop, no incidents and we went home.
I went back today with just the baby (13 mths). And this is the conversation I had with the man on the checkout.
Waitrose Man: You were in here the other day with loads more children weren't you?
Me: Yes, they're with there grandparents today
Waitrose man: (grinning) yes I remember you, I was on the lottery they were being quite naughty
Me: 
er no they weren't
Waitrose man: Yes they were, you said to the baby 'and you can shut up too'
Me: 
um no I didn't, I wouldn't tell my baby to shut up.
Waitrose man: Yes you did I was on the lottery over there and heard you
Me: (now bloody embarrassed) I can assure you I haven't and wouldn't tell a baby to shut up.
At this point the other checkout woman turns around and says "are you winding someone up again and he laughs and says 'yes, why not'"
He then says to me "are you sure it wasn't you"
Me: Yes I'm sure
Him: Why, would you be in trouble if you did?
I just ignored him at this point and packed my shopping.
Now would you be embarrassed by this? I can't believe he thought it an appropriate conversation in front of a queue of people.
There is no way I told the baby to shut up 
He actually had me doubting myself for a while, but I know I didn't.
I feel bloody angry now to be accused of crappy parenting in front of a queue of people.
chocadoodle · 14/04/2011 17:48
YANBU. Very inappropriate behaviour by the member of staff. In fact I'd be pretty furious if there were other people who could overhear. I'd be half tempted to complain actually if I thought it'd make any difference. He could do with the feedback, he probably genuinely thought he was being funny. Weird sense of humour.
Pancakeflipper · 14/04/2011 17:54
Sounds like he's known for this if his colleague asked if he was winding people up again. So a letter to Waitrose will ensure he's dealt with. Possibly sacked if it's not the first complaint ( his colleagues might thank you for that).
Sounds like putting him into a position dealing with customers isn't suitable for him.
Waltons · 14/04/2011 17:57
He was out of order and making a very unfunny joke, but all this "write and complain" is totally OTT. The manager of our local Waitrose would be furious if one of his staff was doing this. Just ask to speak to the manager (or deputy, the boss isn't in) and politely tell him what happened. I am sure that the chap will be either retrained or removed. If not, then put pen to paper.
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