Today experienced a lot of verbal aggression from our regular garage where car was being serviced when I rang to ask about progress and likely cost.
Everything from car being brought in at the last minute (not sure what that was about - was happy to wait for it) to everytime DH or I rang (twice) work had to stop to answer the phone, several "As I've already told your DH "; people in front of us and we have to take our turn (we never protested about that); they were waiting for parts (when in fact they weren't, they'd already arrived) and, in answer to a question about the name of the person I was speaking to, "It doesn't matter what my name is. Bye bye." (puts phone down). His tone was very unpleasant, impatient and frankly aggressive.
All in the space of one reasonable call to find out when it might be ready as it was nearly closing time.
DH eventually collected car and told me that the mechanic in question (who we think is the proprietor) sort of apolgised to him - but for his gruffness towards DH, not me. And DH hadn't had what was meeted out to me - nothing like it.
We've used this garage for years. I remember this same person being very impatient when I had to call about something technical but I let that pass. But now I'm thinking that his rudeness to me today makes me wonder how in general he speaks to women as oppossed to men and whether we should continue using this garage. I'm sure the mechanics are very busy, that their job is stressful but we certainly aren't demanding or unpleasant customers. Far from it. Yet the verbal lashing I got was quite something - had to be heard to be believed.
Maybe a letter gently pointing out that this was no way to speak to courteous (and loyal up to now) customers?