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.

[TandB]

I agree with RevoltingPeasant.

I don't see how anyone could think this was appropriate "banter". And if he really does think that, then he needs to put right before he:

a) really upsets someone or

b) gets thumped

YANBU, OP.

[Quenelle]

A bloke who used to work in our local Safeways (years ago, obviously) was enjoying a bit of banter with a female customer in the salad section.

When he saw her pick up a cucumber he said 'On yer own tonight love?'

He was sacked.

[TheMonster]

[ohnoudidnt]

I would of been really embarassed too at first,then anger probably would have taken over.What a srtange man! I do not even find his humour funny...Complain to the manager or even higher.If he ever says anything again be prepared...and tell the tillboy to concentrate on his job.

[52Girls]

Tell the till boy to concentrate on his job?

Are you always this condescending?

[flyingspaghettimonster]

I swear they deliberately hire not all there people at our local grocery store. This morning I dared to yawn in the check out queue as I bought food for DD's school trip/picnic. This old guy said 'Whatsamatta, didn't ya sleep enough?' I smiled and shook my head, telling him I have a baby at home who keeps waking for feeds. 'Ya gotta add tabasco sauce to the milk, that'll teach him quick' he told me. I said the baby is breast fed and I'd rather not rub hot sauce there, thanks, and he just shook his head like I was crazy not to jump at his suggestion...

You can't let these people embarrass you. Not worth getting hett up over :-)

[Pineneedles]

You are not being unreasonable. He's completely out of order and Waitrose should do better. Complain and get him sacked. He needs to learn.

[sparkle12mar08]

I would have been beyond livid if I'd been treated like that and would not have left the store without speaking to the Duty Manager. As it is, I think your best course of action is to ring the store and ask for the most senior Duty person to ring you back because you want to make a very serious complaint about a member of staff. I imagine they'll be falling over themselves to call you within minutes. I wouldn't necessarily want the man sacked but I would want to know that he would undergo remedial training and that he would be kept away from customers until that had been completed and a further probation period set, as appropriate.

[NellieForbush]

Disagree with oncemai this wasn't banter, it was rude (even though he will think its funny). However I think that her response is great and I'm going to log it for use on similar freaks in future

"I'll tell you to shut up in a minute "

[beesimo]

OP don't fret about this there's a village somewhere missing its idiot!

[bamboostalks]

Gracie123

That has made me laugh soooo much. Really tickled my funny bone.

[sleepingsowell]

I hope you are going to put in a complaint about that guy OP - seriously, seriously weird behaviour. Wants complaining about. What an idiot.

[QuickLookBusy]

Very weird conversation. He was basically accusing you of verbally abusing your baby.

He either needs some sort of extra training on how not to be a twat or he needs to be sacked. The fact the other checkout lady asked if he was having a laugh "again" points to the fact this isn't hte first time he has made ridiculous comments.

[HipHopopotomus]

What a knob!

[usualsuspect]

The tillboy?

[Alouiseg]

That's the one I use, in the C town, opposite DIY store. I'll come with you next time and say something to the rude, ill mannered twat.

Then we can find a manager and explain that there is a nobber on the firm who needs some social skills rammed up his arse pointed out to him.

[FoofffyShmoofffer]

He needs reining in by management. He might well be SN but just as likely he is one of those " I'm mad I am" clowns who has an odd perception of whats funny.

Mention something to his manager. Let them know that you were embarrassed and upset and you are asking them to speak to him to save him from someone less understanding than yourself giving him a smack.

[Lunabelly]

Hello, as a relative of a Waitrose manager, I'd say contact the store...this behaviour just isn't on. As previous posters have pointed out, there's banter and there's downright rudeness / weirdity.

There's rules and acceptable conduct thingies you agree to when you sign any contract...don't want to get the sack? Then stick to the job description.

Some things are funny, but this was creepy.

[Tommy]

Waitrose staff not what they used to be.....the other day, DS3 and I were on there and one of them said to DS3 "Oh...are you out with Grandma today?"



stupid as well as mouthy...

[cjel]

I'd definately complain, imagine if it was some poor mum with PND and she was doubting herself as it was. He could seriously cause harm with this type of wind-up. he needs to be told its not acceptable and as others have said he must be known for it for his collegue to comment. YANBU.

[LoopyLoopsNincompoop]

I think you should complain. Even the most secure of people would find that unsetting, but as has already been pointed out, someone with existing anxieties could be really hurt by it.

[sausagesandmarmelade]

Oh dear....what a TWAT! Seems that there really are people out their who get pleasure from upsetting people! And why????

Would be perfectly reasonable to put in a complaint. I'm sure Waitrose prides itself on it's reputation...let them know if they have a member of staff who is providing very bad customer service. What an idiot!

[PinkFondantFancy]

Just have a chat with the store manager - it won't get him sacked unless he's got a track record of being warned for this sort of thing. Like the others say, these sorts of comments could cause harm to people with existing anxieties, and he's also running the risk of being lamped as well!