People's behavior can be so ignorant!

[mojosmom]

Our grocery store's scanners have been down since a power outage (caused by a squirrel) earlier this week fried their computers. So when you go into the store, there is a huge sign informing customers of this, and a table with several people asking you to please note the price of any item that's not marked, and to be sure to have your produce weighed in the produce department rather than when you check-out. Then they give you a sheet of paper broken down by frozen food, dairy, grocery, etc., and a pencil. It's really hard to miss.

So I'm in the Express lane and there's a guy in front of me with three items. The cashier asked him, very politely, if he had gotten the price on two of the items, which were unmarked. In a very rude tone, he said, "It should be marked or use the bar code." Hello? Did he not see the big "our scanners aren't working" sign? The cashier then explained the situation, and noted that someone up front should have asked him to check the prices. "I don't work in a grocery store," he said, in an incredibly snotty tone of voice, and practically threw the items at the poor women.

That was it. If there's one thing I cannot stand, it's people being rude to service people who can't be rude back. So I was rude for her. Well, not really. I just said, "It's not her fault. You shouldn't take it on her." He snapped at me, "I wasn't talking to you. It's none of your business." I was very pleased to be able to point out to him that I'm a member of the store (it's a co-operative), thus I'm a part owner and it is my business! He huffed off.

Honestly, if you don't want to be bothered noting the prices in this situation, and decide to go elsewhere to shop, I can understand that. But don't pretend you don't know the situation and don't be rude to the clerk!

I went by Woman Made Gallery this afternoon for a couple of hours of volunteer work. They are doing an art workshop at Women's Treatment Center, a drug rehab program here in Chicago, one of the few in the country that has the facilities to let women have their children with them during residential treatment. I've had a number of clients go through their program. Part of the workshop will be making dioramas, so WMG needed people to paint boxes, and I said I'd help.

Comments

[whimzykat.livejournal.com]

I love how you stand up for the underdog! It's a sign of great character...you can tell so much by how someone treats the service staff...

I love the Madame X, by the way. I see you have the less racy version...I personally prefer the off the shoulder look...

way to go mojosmom

[ottawabill.livejournal.com]

Service staff don't make the rules nor get to set prices or establish policy. There is no need to condescend or patronize or be rude. Good for you for reminding this moron that if he hadn't wanted to make his ill manners your business he should have kept it to himself.

In similar situations my favorite line is to say, dripping in sarcasm, "Well that was impresive. Your mother would be so proud of you." And I ften get the look I think went along with the "None of your business....." remark you got.

Re: way to go mojosmom

[havefaith1.livejournal.com]

Kudos for giving this guy the what-for on behalf of the clerk. LOVE that it's a co-op so it IS your business. Take THAT rude man! I like Ottawa Bill's line and am also a big fan - when f-bomb's are dropping right and left in front of small children of "you kiss your mother with that mouth?"

[teotakuu.livejournal.com]

Good for you. I hate people who are gratuitously rude to shop and service people. It costs so little to make the effort required to price and / or weigh three items. It isn't like my marathon two hours in the supermarket forays every fortnight! Faced with such a situation I would have had to shop elsewhere but that is not the shop assistant's fault but me being realistic about shopping in such circumstances.