This pandemic has made people so rude!

[Geneva1994]

First time since the start of the pandemic I have forgotten a mask anywhere, as I always have 1 in my car, bag or pocket. Today I went to b&q for opening so the shop was empty, realised I didn’t have a mask in my car as I thought so I poked my head round the door and apologised to the lady but asked if they had a disposable mask I could have (or pay for!) as id stupidly forgot mine, only to get an earful and be told I’m the reason covid is still spreading she then started slagging me off to a colleague as I walked off and I heard her say “surprised she didn’t try and say she is exempt”.

AIBU to think some people are going crazy? How are they going to cope when restrictions are completely lifted

@soreenqueen21

Why complain though? Are you really that bothered that someone wasn't 100% lovely to you? Just move on.

Total lack of customer service skills is something to complain about. The staff member is representing b&q.

This isn't a random In the street the op isn't expecting people to " be lovely" to her just a bit of civility and not to be lectured at about covid it's not great customer service by b&q.

It was a bit rude however, the stories I've heard from retail staff (shouted at, things thrown at them, fighting) I think everyone is at the end of their rope. Often retail staff do not get paid very much either.

Some posters are pointing out how hard it has been for retail workers - rudeness, aggression, non-compliance with the rules from customers. I agree. I've heard some shocking stories. But how exactly does that justify this particular person's disproportionate reaction to a perfectly civil question? The woman was rude. If she can't be polite to customers, maybe she shouldn't be working 'front of shop'.

@soreenqueen21

Total lack of customer service skills is something to complain about. The staff member is representing b&q

They are likely on min wage and zero hours, they aren't representing anything except the woeful state of retail conditions. If you want to make their lives worse, go ahead and complain. Will it make you feel good?

The woman was a bitch and her reaction to the OPs question was totally unjustified. If I was OP, I would be complaining because this lady's comments and attitude were out of order. Being on shit money is not an excuse to act like a knob to customers. If they are on shift and in the uniform, they are representing the shop.

I used to work in a hospital, and I was constantly asked by members of the public where xyz department was. I was always polite, told them where it was and where they could access lift/stairs to get there. If I had told them to go look at a sign instead and got huffy, or told them I had no time to explain etc, it would be no shock at all to be hauled up infront my boss for it.

You would have had every right to complain to the manager about that. Went walking round shops I often hear the tannoy mentioning masks and most shop tannoys say something like “if you don’t have a mask please ask a member of staff and they will give you a disposable one”.

Not sure if people have got ruder since the pandemic started or whether it’s the usual suspects who want any excuse to be gobshites to other people. It’s probably made some of them bolder about it.

@soreenqueen21

But noone knows what anyone else is dealing with and being civil to other humans is a basic responsibility

I agree, but then you say

The girl in the shop was a knob

Not very civil of you, is it?

Valid point. I should have said rude or unpleasant. It was hypocritical.

Working in B&Q is not exactly comparable to working in an intensive care unit! I think there's no excuse to be rude to polite customers just because other customers might have been rude on some completely separate occasion! I would complain to their management because this not acceptable.

Of course people will forget a mask from time to time I’ve done it myself. Usually have one in bag / car/ pocket but one time I didn’t I apologised and I was given a disposable one . If I got a telling off I’d report to manager if your apologetic it’s uncalled for to get a telling off jeez you forgot your human .

They are likely on min wage and zero hours, they aren't representing anything except the woeful state of retail conditions. If you want to make their lives worse, go ahead and complain. Will it make you feel good?
I’ve worked for minimum wage before. Loathed it. However, my low salary would NEVER have been used as an excuse to talk to people like absolute shit. It’s about being a decent person. Doesn’t matter how much you earn whether you’re the CEO of B&Q or the cleaner, you treat people with respect

They are likely on min wage and zero hours, they aren't representing anything except the woeful state of retail conditions.

Right and will likely never be on any better due to their complete lack of cop on. That was obviously a completely inappropriate way to speak to a polite customer.

Being on shit money is not an excuse to act like a knob to customers. If they are on shift and in the uniform, they are representing the shop.

This! Imagine if everyone working for s**t pay acted like this worker, doubt some people would use that excuse so easily.

Unfortunately some people are just unpleasant and this has given the licence to be rude and antisocial -witness the people who ostentatiously flatten themselves against the side of paths etc if s stranger has the temerity to be walking in same postcode.

Wow. You have heard one second hand comment and you've written their whole life off! It must be great to be so perfect.

Perfect? You don’t have to be perfect to know it is completely rude and unprofessional to tell off a polite customer who is asking for assistance and then to talk about them to another person within earshot.

The way they spoke to you was unacceptable and so rude. You said you had forgotten your mask and asked if they had one. Most supermarkets have disposable ones for members of the public that have forgotten theirs. There is no excuse to be rude and I have worked in retail myself.

People forget their mask, it's easily done

Although now with this extra variant even when we don’t need to wear them I’ll be wearing one in the supermarket or similar to protect myself

Really, people still don't realise masks are to protect others, not ourselves

B&Q pay fairly well actually

theres no 'zero hours contracts' and currently, plenty of overtime available. most stores are hiring as well....look at kingfisher share prices and annual profits.

They have looked after their staff extremely well through this pandemic. They have all had standard payrises,bonuses,proper streamed original artist music (got rid of the shop style covers)lunches paid for and the knowledge they are in secure jobs

its not a bad place to work at all....that one customer assistant got it wrong. B&Q also have door marshalls with masks available for customers requiring ones not sure why it wasn't immediately offered. Thats the brief for every store

Why do some people always assume retail is "poorly paid" with zero hours so then what are we to expect 🙄

Which companies operate on zero hour contracts?

I think the thread has proved your point, OP. A large number of people feel justified in being aggressive, rude and unpleasant to others because they are tired and stressed and have it worse than anyone else and if they can find a rule breaker to unleash on, they’re fair game.

You should complain about her - she was well out of order.

I agree that the past year has brought out people's true colours. So many people are just rude nasty little bullies who like the sound of their own voices. I find the worst offenders tend to be older men who think they can bully smaller women.