AIBU to wonder why people are so rude to shop workers?

[Hofty]

I work in a shop. For context it isn't a supermarket, it sells quite expensive gifts. This is relevant only because it's not a busy and stressful place to shop.

Yesterday morning a woman came in, it was very quiet and I was quite bored so I left her for five minutes and then went over and said 'hi, how are you?' she then preceded to lean into my face and barked at me 'I don't want to talk to YOU. I want to shop' whilst looking down at me like I'm a piece of shit. I walked away. I cried out the back though.

At a different retail job I had a customer actually scream in my face once because I didn't hear what they said because it was loud in the shop.

I also seem to get quite a lot of tutting and eye rolling for absolutely no reason from the general public, I could maybe understand that if I was making mistakes, but I'm not. I'm just serving them on the till.

So, AIBU to wonder why on earth customers are so rude to staff in retail?

I know this is a cliche OP, but it says more about them than you. If I was in the company of someone who acted like that towards any member of staff who serves the general public, I would be embarrassed. It would make me think they were a bit simple-minded really.

adaline

Same. Sheer unpleasantness stands out more I think. Though I have a bunch of regulars who chat to me as though I’m their friend. I’m not of course,but it’s so lovely to have that sort of interaction with people.

I always try to keep in mind that I’m the only person that customer might speak to all day, regardless of age. It does tend to be older customers who are keen to talk a bit more but that doesn’t mean only older people can be lonely.

People who become regulars and want to talk are a large part of what makes me like my job though. I’d never ever have met these people were it not for it and they’re interesting.

There are however the sort of regulars who are Regular Wankers though. They’re less great.