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Mean People Suck!

By Wendy Smith

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Wendy Smith Real Estate

January 21, 2008 07:14 AM

The other day my 17 year old daughter came home from work looking like she had had a really rough day. When I asked about her day, she shared the following story:

A man, in his 30's or 40's, came in with a coupon for a free oil change. Problem was that the coupon expired about 4 months ago. When she pointed out the expiration date it seemed to trigger his rage. He demanded the coupon be honored and swore he had recently received it in the mail. My daughter, knowing that coupons are sent out only in the summer, stated that the coupon was simply no good. His ferocity then focused on belittling her, her abilities and even her potential for a successful future in life.

The scene naturally got the attention of the handful of other customers in the waiting room but they all just watched quietly as this grown man verbally assaulted my daughter.

Near tears and as the man continued to yell, she went to find the manager. The man actually sneered at my daughter as the manager ushered him out of the waiting area.

My daughter went to her car and cried.

As I listened to her relate the events it occurred to me that she really has no experience in dealing with mean people. Sure, she's encountered mean kids at school but they were peers - this was an adult. A figure she has been raised to treat with respect; and she was at work, where she had been trained to not argue with customers.

I wondered about the other adults in the waiting room, none of which got up to diffuse the situation - if I had been there, would I have gotten up?

I forgot to ask her if the man got a free oil change but I suspect he did.

There are people like him in the world who think nothing about attacking another person just to get a freebie or just to get their way. Mean people, selfish people.

The good news is that the majority of the people are not mean.

I guess maybe it's just another one of those lessons that every one has to learn: dealing with mean people but I know this much; if I ever witness an adult raging on a kid that's just trying to do his or her job - I will speak up.

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Kevin McGrath

Long & Foster Real Estate Companies- Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania - Fredericksburg, VA

Long & Foster Real Estate Companies

I agree - A Coke & A Smile - the world could be such a nice place if it were not for people......

Jan 21, 2008 07:21 AM

Ray Wilson

Meticulous Home Inspection Corporation - Bohemia, NY

NYS Licensed Home and Building Inspector

Wendy - these people are usually deficient in more than one area. I am not a parent, but I have found out one thing - when you show you are upset, this is the reaction the yeller is waiting for. DON'T give it to them. State the policy, then fetch the manager. I realize a young girl will not have the experience of adults thrust into this situation, but she should realize early that there are many unhappy people who exist just to bust chops. Don't feed their anger, turn it around! - Ray

Jan 21, 2008 07:26 AM

Heather Oberhau

Prudential Fox & Roach - Newtown, PA

Bucks County Real Estate, e-PRO

Wendy, I worked in a grocery store for 10 years and I can tell you that that happened to me A LOT (like weekly). And I can pretty much guarantee the guy got his oil change. I always said to my managers, "If you don't want employees talking back to customers, then they should be able to trust in you that you'll protect them from abuse." Sadly, "the customer is always right" attitude of most stores doesn't protect their employee from this.

I used to laugh and say when I had my "professional" job - I could call and tell a client that I was shorting them several truckloads of bottles and delaying a product launch with much less abuse than some lady trying to pass an expired coupon.

I'm sorry for your daughter. I can guarantee that this learning experience will forever make her a wonderful customer to other cashiers.

Oh, and one more thing - the people who do this are usually losers in their own life, who feel the need to beat down on people who can't fight back. The have no power anywhere else, so they abuse it when they know someone is getting paid to take their crap!

Jan 21, 2008 07:28 AM

Amy Dawson, Vancouver, WA Realtor

Vancouver, WA

It's sad that there are people who feel they need to belittle somebody. It seems like your daughter delt with this the right way though!

Jan 21, 2008 08:08 AM

Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR

Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV

Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

Sorry your daughter had to go through that, but it did give her an experience that will toughen her up a little. Yes, if I had been there, I would have been in his face and threatened to call the cops on him. I hate a bully.

My daughter works at a Subway at the entrance to Walmart. Last week, an almost identical thing happened to her. Maybe it was the same guy! He could be a serial young employee abuser. Anyway, my daughter called the manager who told the guy not to talk to his emplyees like that. He then escorted the guy out and told him that if he ever came back that he would be arrested. Then the Walmart manager came in and told her to let him know if she ever saw the guy so that he could ban him as well. WOW!

Mar 02, 2008 08:33 AM

Mean People Suck!

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