This is from a while back when I worked at the first Kroger I was employed by (transfers so rule). One morning I came in at 1030am after working a closing shift (11pm). The office manager assigned me to a checklane to cover for a cashier's lunch. I start taking customers and the second customer I receive is a male subject who has WIC. I wave one of the baggers over to assist me, as I am starting to get a small line. This particular bagger is mentally challenged. He has learned a certain way to do things and does it pretty well (he has his days, though). Apparently this customer didn't believe so. This conversation ensues:
SC - dipshit customer
ME - my wonderful self
BG - Bagger (doesn't say too much)
SC: *Looking at bagger, asking nicely* Hey, man, could I get this bagged a certain way?
BG: I don't understand.
SC: Could you bag this *explains way*
BG: I don't understand
SC: *yelling towards bagger, eyes bugged out* WHAT?! I WANT THIS A CERTAIN WAY? CAN YOU NOT UNDERSTAND ME?
ME: *looking right at the male subject, putting on my "listen here" voice* SIR! You DO NOT talk to my staff like that. You got it?
SC: *attempting to say something stupid*
ME: *cutting him off* No. You don't understand. Your order is completed. It is bagged, please remove yourself now.
SC: I WANTED IT *certain way*
ME: I don't care. Your order is done. Good day.
ME: *turns to apologize to next customer*
SC: *leaves, angry*
Well, apparently not too many customers have seen a clerk stand up for a co-worker before. Right after that, the self-scan clerk came over and asked, very quietly, if I needed to step outside for a minute. I took her up on it and walked in the back room. Later, I talked to the office manager and she couldn't believe the guy yelled at the bagger. The only thing she said was "well, I knew something bad happened, when I heard you raise your voice a bit.". Idiot guy never complained to management or anything.
I know, there is a better way to handle situations such as that. I just don't take too kindly to people yelling at my co-workers (even when the co-worker is wrong*).
* - I handle it a bit differently. I'll actually get the customer to calm down and talk normally.
SC - dipshit customer
ME - my wonderful self
BG - Bagger (doesn't say too much)
SC: *Looking at bagger, asking nicely* Hey, man, could I get this bagged a certain way?
BG: I don't understand.
SC: Could you bag this *explains way*
BG: I don't understand
SC: *yelling towards bagger, eyes bugged out* WHAT?! I WANT THIS A CERTAIN WAY? CAN YOU NOT UNDERSTAND ME?
ME: *looking right at the male subject, putting on my "listen here" voice* SIR! You DO NOT talk to my staff like that. You got it?
SC: *attempting to say something stupid*
ME: *cutting him off* No. You don't understand. Your order is completed. It is bagged, please remove yourself now.
SC: I WANTED IT *certain way*
ME: I don't care. Your order is done. Good day.
ME: *turns to apologize to next customer*
SC: *leaves, angry*
Well, apparently not too many customers have seen a clerk stand up for a co-worker before. Right after that, the self-scan clerk came over and asked, very quietly, if I needed to step outside for a minute. I took her up on it and walked in the back room. Later, I talked to the office manager and she couldn't believe the guy yelled at the bagger. The only thing she said was "well, I knew something bad happened, when I heard you raise your voice a bit.". Idiot guy never complained to management or anything.
I know, there is a better way to handle situations such as that. I just don't take too kindly to people yelling at my co-workers (even when the co-worker is wrong*).
* - I handle it a bit differently. I'll actually get the customer to calm down and talk normally.
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