Adult Children by Stephen Beals for August 12, 2022

I’ve been in retail for 22 and a half, years! I find most customers to be nice, but you do get a few…um, permanently unhappy, customers!

21 years in grocery retail for me

I’m mostly a stocker so my public contact is limited, thankfully

Mostly nice people but some people will take out their frustrations on anyone with a store name tag

I do look like I might have been law enforcement or military at some point even though I haven’t, the look alone sends most jerks looking for another victim

Everyone is on edge…..just try to enjoy the ride.

somebody call a dog or a pest exterminator

Sometimes it works both ways!

Read this immediately after being dismissed by an openly hostile caller . . .

I think the percentage of jerks has remained constant. People in direct contact with the public face more of them than people who aren’t. I was a programmer for a specialty retailer. The IT people sat near the customer service people. I often heard the reps saying things like, “[Sir or Ma’am,] if you continue to use that sort of language I will have to hang up.” It was in the book of acceptable answers. I’ve done retail, fast food, gas station and know what it’s like.