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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:
DELHI · 14/04/2011 17:57

sounds like a complete prat who needs to be told not to speak to customers like that.

ShirleyKnot · 14/04/2011 17:58

Arf at Throne of Judgyness. I am totally pinching that.

peeriebear · 14/04/2011 17:58

Surely writing to the manager is pretty similar to going in and asking to speak to him?

JaxTellersOldLady · 14/04/2011 17:59

Are you sure you were in Waitrose? Sure it wasnt Asda?

Complain to the store manager, what an eejit he was. I would have been totally hacked off if someone had spoken to me like that.

FlamingJamie · 14/04/2011 17:59

He sounds a bit of a socially-inappropriate wally to me.

grovel · 14/04/2011 18:01

Jenai, good point. Typical that this common little runt should work on the Lotto kiosk. I expect he's got a good line in scratch card jokes.

Huffythetantrumslayer · 14/04/2011 18:02

I'm all for a bit of chit chat at the tills but deliberately going out of your way to make people feel crap no matter how much you dress it up as a ' joke' is not on. Shodnt be working in customer service. Complain. Oh and bloody well done for keeping those kids under control you must be very scary tough! Grin

fedupalready · 14/04/2011 18:02

what an idiot, YANBU. I was in Waitrose yesterday and the guy on the till starting wiping his nose several times, then his eyes, I thought YUK don't touch my food please, you are disgusting. His nose was quite red, probably suffering from hayfever, when staff are in conatct with food they should not be wiping their noses especially Waitrose staff Grin

ChristinedePizan · 14/04/2011 18:03

You do realise that Waitrose often employ people with learning difficulties don't you? Sounds to me like he might be one of them. Perhaps a tactful letter rather than a furious one - it's inappropriate but really, do you care what the person behind you at the till thought?

Chil1234 · 14/04/2011 18:04

I'd have complained to a supervisor if I were you. Presumably the man finds his job so boring that he likes to spice it up with some sledgehammer wit. What a weirdo.

B4Beatrice · 14/04/2011 18:05

Just to ask where in the country was this waitrose. In my one there is a young man who I think is maybe mildly AS or something but I'm not quite sure. He sometimes says sorry after he has asked a million odd questions. And then he starts again. They have recently let him work on the tills. I could be way off here BTW!

Anyway I'm in the south east if that helps!

MissFenella · 14/04/2011 18:05

I feel wound up for you so no, YANBU.

GiselleS · 14/04/2011 18:05

For god's sake, don't complain! Bit annoying maybe, but that's it.

Get over it!!

sfxmum · 14/04/2011 18:05

as unreasonable as the initial comment was
saying that the person has SN is rather uncalled for

Mamazonhereggsclucking · 14/04/2011 18:06

I wouldn't have been embarrassed but he would have been getting a formal reprimand by the time i had finished.

B4Beatrice · 14/04/2011 18:07

I sounded a bit rude in that post. I ment to say this man can't help it I don't think. And it's not too obvious unless you have had dealings with him a couple of times.

Becaroooo · 14/04/2011 18:08

I would complain to HO...what a tosser!

Would he have made such comments to a male customer?

Hmm
SoupDragon · 14/04/2011 18:09

Giselle, why shouldn't he OP complain? Is it OK in your book for someone in a customer service role to be rude to customers?

FlamingJamie · 14/04/2011 18:10

I don't think it's uncalled for to question whether the man might have a SN. There are several organisation which employ people with mild learning disabilities. If I knew someone had a socially-inappropriate manner because of that I'd be a bit more understanding about it

southeastastra · 14/04/2011 18:10

i would not have let him keep waffling on really and would have stopped him with a 'wtf are you on about!'

but only becasue i've recently had a couple of odd comments from checkout staff myself and wondered why i didn't question them at the time!

usualsuspect · 14/04/2011 18:12

I would have told him to shut up there and then

grovel · 14/04/2011 18:12

B4Beatrice, are you near Sunningdale?

grovel · 14/04/2011 18:13

Or near Guildford?

LilQueenie · 14/04/2011 18:13

please complain. My partner has worked in 2 well known supermarkets and its common for people to behave like this. That sounds a bit wrong I know but he has witnessed everything. The only reason these people got away with it was the intimidated the victims too much. Or at least until a few montsh back when one finally got the sack for being a total perv.

YusMilady · 14/04/2011 18:15

I would have gone to the Customer Service desk on the way out and complained there and then.

I'm with Becarooo - ask yourself if he would have made such comments to a man. Of course he wouldn't. Get his ass sacked - there are far more deserving people in need of a lovely little job at Waitrose.