A few for the girls from 'Not Always Right'.
The Height Of (Mt.) Misogyny
Outdoor Supply Store | Manchester, UK | Bigotry, Top
(I am a woman working at a shop that specializes in mountain climbing equipment. I happen to be very experienced when it comes to trekking, so often colleagues ask me to help people who are planning a mountain trek. My coworker is bringing a male customer over to me for trek-planning help.)
Coworker: “And here’s [my name] now. She’s our expert when it comes mountain treks!”
Male Customer: “Don’t be stupid.”
Me: “Pardon?”
Male Customer: “Girls don’t climb mountains.”
Me: *laughs* “This girl does! Where are you hoping to climb?”
Male Customer: “Well, I’m climbing the highest peak in the Atlas region.”
Me: “Oh, Jebel Toubkal? Excellent, I did that last year. What time of year are you planning to go?”
Male Customer: “I don’t believe you.”
Me: “Pardon?”
Male Customer: “Can you just bring back the man I spoke to first? I’m sure he’ll know more about it than you.”
Me: “You think my male colleague, who specializes in camping, low-level trekking and biking, will be more equipped to help you than me, a woman who climbed the exact mountain you’re planning to climb?”
Male Customer: “Yes.”
(I fetch my coworker, who is forced to continue checking with me to see if what he is selling is okay. The worst part: my staff identification picture is of me at the summit of Jebel Toubkal
Exes Can Drive You Crazy
Auto Parts | Nampa, ID, USA | Bigotry
(Note: I am a female employee at an auto parts store. A woman walks in.)
Me: “How can I help you?”
Woman: “I need a tail light bulb for my Chrysler. Oh, and could you come out and show my ex-husband how to take the old one out? I’d love for you to show him up!”
(I go outside and help him switch out his taillight. As I’m walking back into the store, I hear him say…)
Man: *to ex-wife* “You had to pick the only girl in the store to help us, didn’t you?!”
Now Accepting Immigrants From Femmerica
Retail | Marion, IA, USA | Bigotry, Top
(I’m sweeping when an older gentleman comes up. Note that I’m female.)
Customer: “It’s good to see you doing that.”
Me: “Oh…um…thank you.”
Customer: “So many of you young ladies these days are d*** fem’nists.”
Me: “Actually, sir, I am a feminist. It’s just a little dirty, so I need to clean up.”
Customer: “You d*** fem’nists! Taking jobs from real ‘Mericans who need jobs.”
Me: “Sir, I was born in this country. I’m a third generation American. Being a feminist makes me no less American than you. I just support women’s rights.”
Customer: “That ain’t ‘Merican! Women ain’t ‘Merican!”
Me: *speechless*
No Obamacare For You
Retail | Berkeley, CA, USA | Bigotry
(Although I was born in California and have lived here my entire life, my dad is from Australia, and I have picked up some of his speaking mannerisms. In consequence, when I say “Yeah”, it sounds like “Yeh”.)
Customer: “Can I slide my card through, miss?”
Me: “Yeah, it’s ready!”
Customer: “Actually, sorry, I don’t support illegal immigrants.”
Me: “Excuse me?”
Customer: “You talk funny! You’re an illegal immigrant!”
Me: “Actually, ma’am, I was born here. I just have my accent from a parent who was not an illegal immigrant.”
Customer: “No! You aren’t allowed to be here! I’ll be notifying the president about this!” *stomps out without her merchandise*
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4 comments:
Yes, that's sorta the way some people can be.
BO - Start collecting stories for your book.
Customer relation problems are often customer-generated. Dealing with the general public can sometimes include dealing with morons.
D - Luckily I never had to deal with the general public at the retail level. I was a telephone repairman and most of the time people were happy to see me.
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