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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be utterly embarrassed by this Waitrose staff member

220 replies

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: Hmm er no they weren't

Waitrose man: Yes they were, you said to the baby 'and you can shut up too'

Me: Shock 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 Angry 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.

OP posts:
WoTmania · 14/04/2011 17:45

sounds like a twat.

hardhatdonned · 14/04/2011 17:45

YANBU i'd c&p that into a letter to the manager personally and lodge it as a complaint.

ladysybil · 14/04/2011 17:46

he sounds like an attention whore.

FAB5 · 14/04/2011 17:46

I would definitely complain. That is a ridiculous thing to do and in no way appropriate. idiot.

TheMonster · 14/04/2011 17:46

I would be angry at that too.

grovel · 14/04/2011 17:47

He was probably flirting, albeit in a moronic way.
Have a nice glass of Chablis and imagine kicking him in the nuts.
Sorted.

seeksnewnamewithgsoh · 14/04/2011 17:48

I'd be wording that into a strong letter of complaint to their head office.

Aside from the fact that it's none of his business, he's paid to serve customers not use the till as some sort of throne of judgypants.

YAdefNBU

weedle · 14/04/2011 17:48

Sounds like a numpty, still at least you're not the other checkout lady. Imagine having to listen to that twat him all day!

Tee2072 · 14/04/2011 17:48

He thought he was being funny. He was wrong.

I would complain to his manager for being inappropriate and rude.

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.

goodbyemrschips · 14/04/2011 17:49

Complaint needed here....head office........customer service at its worse.

YouaretooniceNOT · 14/04/2011 17:49

stupid arse!

YADNBU to be Angry too!

Mishy1234 · 14/04/2011 17:49

Really out of order imo. I would definitely write to the store manager. I would want to know if a member of my team was speaking to customers like that.

fluffyanimal · 14/04/2011 17:50

He's a Waitrose employee? Write to the store. That is not friendly banter, it is downright offensive.

peeriebear · 14/04/2011 17:50

It sounds like he makes a habit of it and he could really upset somebody if he's doing it at random (not that you weren't upset, I mean he could really hit a nerve with somebody). I'd write and report him TBH.

grovel · 14/04/2011 17:51

Waitrose employees are "partners". Much grander.

eaglewings · 14/04/2011 17:52

Please, for the sake of others who will pass through that check out, complain YAVDNBU

Original poster
iPhoneDrone · 14/04/2011 17:52

Oh I am complaining1

I didn't want to get someone in trouble if the general consensus was that he was joking around

OP posts:
FAB5 · 14/04/2011 17:53

And the fact that his colleague said "again?" so he clearly has form.

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.

cheesesarnie · 14/04/2011 17:55

sounds like an idiot.

TeddyMcardle · 14/04/2011 17:55

I think you should complain, though I wouldn't personally. But only because I'm crap at complaining.

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 14/04/2011 17:56

I'm Shock that Waitrose sell Lottery tickets. Lotto's a bit common, isn't it?

usualsuspect · 14/04/2011 17:57

sounds like a twat ...I wouldn't complain though

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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