Overheard in higher-end supermarket this afternoon. A boomer-age woman shopper being helped by a student-age woman shop employee. As you do in supermarkets, we seemed to be taking the same route around the aisles so I overheard their convo a few times.
Employee repeatedly and calmly tried to help shopper: E.g, finding items, comparing prices. Shopper complains loudly, rudely and vociferously about: finding items items in shop. Availability of items on her list. Price of items. Whereabouts of staff. Whereabouts of employee as if she should be by her side throughout and acting as her personal shopping helper.
The poor employee, to her credit, kept her cool throughout this barrage and seemed professional. I was shocked by the level of vitriol and abuse. Her calm demeanour seemed to imply she was used to this kind of treatment. I almost said something (along time lines of “are you ok? You shouldn’t be speaking to her like that” but was with young DS and didn’t want to embroil him in a scene. I felt so so sorry for the employee.
Is there anyone here who acts like this toward people in shops? Is this in any way explainable? Or acceptable? I am shocked.