Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel really wound up by shop assistant in Boots?

125 replies

BeckyHelen · 12/03/2008 01:13

The other week I had what I thought would be an uneventful trip into the chemist with my 21mnth old dd to get some vitimin drops and a few other things. It was a fairly cold day and like you do, ensured my dd was well wrapped up with thick coat, hat and footmuff. But common sense automatically kicks in when I go into a warm shop, and I automatically removed her hat when I got inside so she wouldn't start feeling uncomfortable and hot.

I went to pay for the things and I saw the last shop assistant I wanted to be served by to be quite honest, as I have been at the end of her cheeky and patronising tongue before over the "benefits of the Boots Advantage Card, and how I should really have one as you can save, etc etc and it's silly how I've missed out today".

There was no other assistant so I had no choice but to go to her. As soon as I put the things on the counter she was off "They are 3 for the price of 2 at the moment, you just as well go and get 2 more and save money" so off I trot while dd is at counter with shop assistant, only a small shop so I was still very nearby. Then I hear her talk to dd "Good, vitimins to keep you well in the cold winter months, that's what you need" I return to the counter, with S.A leaning over the counter staring at dd:"You ought to have that hat on, on a day like this, like they say by keeping it on you keep it in" errr, but I thought, we are inside at the moment we are not outside! It was not even an issue. I was getting more and more irritated with her, it was none of her business anyway, she didn't know me from Adam!

Then she said: "I've made sure I bought my big warm coat to work today" Then as I went to walk out I said,rubbing it in, "Right then Grace, lets put your hat on to keep you nice and warm" while she had now come from behind the counter and was standing right next to me watching every move I made. She THEN said "Look at you, all nice and snug and warm" At this point I couldn't wait to get back outside just to get away from her, I was just about to push the pushchair out of the shop when she PIPED UP "I wouldn't hang around for long out there today if I were you, it's not nice"!!!!!FFS It was none of her business how long I stayed out. I just could not believe what a cheeky, nosey and patronising woman she was.

I vow never to be served by her again, even if she's the only one in the shop. Next time if she's the only one serving I will go into the chemist next door. Surely a shop assistant should do their job by serving you at the counter and maybe just have a light, unintrusive, un-patronising chat, and leave it to that. I personally would not have the nerve to speak to someone who I didn't even know in that way. She must of been in her late 50's or something.Who the hell did she think she was, my mother!? And I think some of them think they have the right to speak to you like that if they think you are young and stupid! I am 28 and CERTAINLY NOT STUPID!!!!I'm sorry I've ranted on, but for a shop assistant she is extremely wearing.

OP posts:
poshwellies · 12/03/2008 10:06

This is the kind of shit you put up with when you are a shop assistant-arsey,rude customers.

minouminou · 12/03/2008 10:20

christ, i'm a big seething ball o' rage, and i thought the shop assistant was mildly irritating because she'd be a bit distracting IF i was in a hurry, but no more...i'd have smiled, agreed about the wind and promptly put her from my mind
crikey ....... bust out the evening primrose oil already

SparklyGothKat · 12/03/2008 10:30

i have only read the op but I think YABU, she was only being friendly.

potoftea · 12/03/2008 10:36

Shop assistant sounds lovely- friendly to you and baby, concerned that you got value for money, and just pleasant to all.

Much better than the shop assistants I often meet, who continue to chat to each other while serving me, and ignore my efforts at friendly chat.
YABU, very.

mrsdannydyer · 12/03/2008 10:45

at your
but for a shop assistant she is extremely wearing
comment!

she was probably bored and just trying to make conversation
yes yabu

MoreSpamThanGlam · 12/03/2008 10:52

maybe a SA who doesnt talk or make eye contact, or try and save you money or be interested in you as a customer would be better.

Go to M and S next time - they are rude as all hell now - right up your street.

Anyway -

TRIP TRAP

madame · 12/03/2008 10:52

I sometimes get irritated over something that really doesn't matter....we all do if we are honest.

I imagine the shop assistant was maybe lonely, perhaps having a long day and just wanted some conversation.

We have all become so entwined in our own worlds that we feel intruded if people enter them which is so sad.

Reflect on why you feel so angry about this as it really wasn't worth getting so wound up about.

lucy5 · 12/03/2008 10:54

Think yourself lucky that you don't live in Spain, where the whole world comment on everything and anything to do with your child. I think you would be constantly stressed.

littlelapin · 12/03/2008 10:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Threadworm · 12/03/2008 11:07

Surely, surely this is a wind-up.

It is very funny.

Hopeysgirlwasntbig · 12/03/2008 11:13

YABU, I like it when shop assistants make an effort, especially when they fuss over the kids.

Now, THIS would have made the OPs head explode!

During half term I was doing my grocery shop, had the kids with me, woman scanning the shopping said to DS1 in an accusing tone 'Why aren't you at school?', DS1 replies, 'It's half term', woman then says 'No it isn't, last week was half term', I say, 'no, it is half term', woman 'no it isn't' !!!!! OOOOOOOOOKKKAAAAAAAAAAY!!

How would the OP have coped with that one, would it have been creeping up and bothering her in years to come!

OrmIrian · 12/03/2008 11:13

Bit late, but still...

Eh?

Flynnie · 12/03/2008 11:27

You need to forget it..there will be so many times over the years that strangers will give unwanted advice about your children. grit your teeth and just think that most of them mean well.

totaleclipse · 12/03/2008 11:28

If it was'nt for the lovely shop assistant being friendly and making conversation, you would'nt have saved money on your 3 for 2 products

totaleclipse · 12/03/2008 11:32

A shop assistant said good morning to me the other day god she was so irritating, my blood was boiling, I wanted to thump her

Octothechildherder · 12/03/2008 11:35

I thought you were going to say she put the hat on her in the shop when you went off to get the extra bits - now that would have made me MAD!

WanderingTrolley · 12/03/2008 11:36

Don't listen to these harpies, BeckyHelen, I know just how you feel. Totally unreasonable of the Boots woman, what a cow!

Just the other day I walked past an old lady and she smiled at me.

How fucking dare she!

There was no one around, so I shot her, obviously.

By the way, though, I think it sounds like she was too well wrapped up for the inside of a shop. Oh, and if you fed her properly, she wouldn't need vitamin drops.

HTH, lotsa luv etc.

Hopeysgirlwasntbig · 12/03/2008 11:37

PMSL Wandering

Octothechildherder · 12/03/2008 11:38

LOL at vitamin drops

totaleclipse · 12/03/2008 11:40

ShockGrin

NAB3wishesfor2008 · 12/03/2008 11:45

LOL at WT.

I think the OP felt that the assistant was telling her how to look after her child so OP needs to get some confidence with her PFB.

OverMyDeadBody · 12/03/2008 11:51

Wow beckyhelen, you sound like a lot of fun to be around

Sidge · 12/03/2008 12:00

This can't be real, no-one is that rude and miserable are they??

But if it is and the OP is genuine then have a word with yourself you miserable old trout.

Smile and the world smiles with you

EHM · 12/03/2008 12:04

PMSL @ Wandering TRolley

Janni · 12/03/2008 12:13

Beckyhelen - is it normal for you to feel so irritated by things like this or are you having a particularly hard time at the moment? The assistant sounds like many others I've encountered, trying to do a good job, be friendly, tell customers about any deals. She also sounds mumsy - maybe she's desperate for a grandchild or something. Complete strangers say all sorts of daft things to children, it's part of everyday life and I would far rather that than for the children to be ignored or seen as a nuisance. I REALLY don't think she was questioning your ability or your mothering.

Swipe left for the next trending thread