To be utterly embarrassed by this Waitrose staff member

[iPhoneDrone]

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.

Sounds like colleague was trying to warn you man was a knob.

I'd complain; I suspect waitrose would be mortified, they are so proud of their service

FJ it's always great to question whether someone has SN in terms of understanding but ultimately from a personal POV I don't think my own ASD kids would be suited to a customer service role if they upset people.

And if they were getting along fine with a few blips, how would the support team know where to aplce that help?

Sn- at working / independent level- doesn't mean absolved of all responsibiltiy, just entitled to extra help, understanding and support

I think ChristinedePizan might be in the ball-park. There's something so oddly specific about the remarks that might suggest learning difficulties. That shouldn't prevent you writing if you still feel strongly - it maybe that he needs more guidance/a different role in the store.

Beautifully put Peachy

No not really! Not a million miles away but a different county. However I guess this means Waitrose do employ mildly SN staff. Which to be honest I think is great.

But if the OP is talking about someone that isn't SN, it's clear he was being very rude!

I had a quick chat to a guy with DS today in Sainsburys he was very nice and helpfull but can't of been very cost effective for Sainsburys as he kept going back to check his shelfs were neat enough and nobody had moved the labels

what a knob! actually, for once, i think i would complain. id be mortified!

Good point Peachy.

Men of a certain age seem to enjoy being sarky twats and then claiming they are just having a laugh - what a moron.

Oh my! Call up & speak to customer services for that particular store & explain that you thought about it all afternoon & you found him inappropriate. That should be enough,it won't get him sacked (which would be too extreme IMO for a bit of wanky banter) but should highlight his lack of social skills,recommend some training,says it nicely without going ott.
If you get him again,say aren't you the boy that was in our sti clinic yesterday? Yes,yes definately you,I remember taking yr sample,then guffaw

Not the same as SN, but there is a lady who works in my local M&S who has Torettes (which manifests through inappropriate swearing.

I think it's great that the shop have the forsight and equal opportunities policies in place to allow them to emplot her, although I suspect she garners a few complaints from those who aren't aware of her condition - especially when OAP's ask her where the cardigans are and she says "I'll show you where the fucking cardigans are love".

Write and complain - I'm sure if he has SN or another condition, you will receive an adequate explanation back. If he doesn't hopefully you will receive and apology and he will be disciplined.

I meant from the point of view that the comment seem to exclude all other possibilities, when in fact there are plenty of rude arses about, by all means complain it is your right, if you think SN is the motive well maybe they can find a more suitable position for the person.

YusMilady "Get his arse sacked"

Really? Talk about sledgehammer, walnut.

Op should have complained at the time. But sack the poor bloke? Blimey.

He was being a knob, but personally it wouldn't have bothered me, particularly, or embarrassed me, and I wouldn't bother complaining about him, but I might have said something directly to him.
I agree - i suspct he was fliting ineptly - he had noticed you and recognised you, after all.

a Lotto at Waitrose Sunningdale Grovel, good lord no

I too think the guy's colleague was stepping in to try to prevent you being upset and taking it personally, he must have form for this. Whether he has some mild SN or just has poor social skills, I would certainly make the store manager aware.

I do get why you were pissed off but I'm not sure it really merits a letter to HO.

His colleague was embarrassed I think. She turned around and had a good gawp at him before she spoke.

We are in the SE yes and we have a huge lottery counter with the tobacco

YABU.

His colleague clearly stated that he was "being funny" (his version of).

Complain? Why? Do you want him to lose his job?

Tourettes is counted as SN, and sometimes linked to being on the spectrum.

From what's reporteed here I can't see anything that makes me think ASD speech pattern; doesn;t rule it out obviously or mean it's not something else, but often AS is the poor social skill people mean when looking at rude people.

Always MH etc but generally rude people are being rude

I would complain. waitrose are very good at dealing with complaints.
What bizarre behaviour from him.

iPhone I was so shocked to hear that Waitrose sell Lotto tickets that, I'm ashamed to say, I suspected you of making the story up and had to Google

iPhone- I am in SE. Big lotto, attached to customer services, opposite the charity boxes where you out your little green coin things in??

I would just find him a bit irritating and ignore it.

yes!