Tweet
I was cashiering when a man in his 50s (it's always them!) came up and was waving up a woman with him. As he was waiting he asked me why I didn't have a [Company] shirt. Now, we don't have a uniform; we have a dress code. We have to wear a certain color shirt and shirts with the company logo are available, but not required. I prefer my own stuff. I knew he had a problem with the color of my shirt, not style--it's the correct color, but heathered, so it looks a bit different than usual. I pretended he was asking about the logo'ed shirts so I'd have a reason to give (not that I need to justify myself, but to avoid argument).
Me: "Oh, I don't have any of those."
Him: "You're the only one I've seen without a [Company] shirt. You must have some pull."
Me: I corrected him, "No--I just don't prefer those shirts because of the way they fit. They offered me one yesterday but I said no because I prefer my own." I wanted to shout Because they don't care! What difference does it make?!? but I didn't need a complaint today. Why were we still on this?
So I just focused on the lady from then on, struggling to remain composed and humor his joke I didn't get. I was professional, but not as friendly as usual because I consider it an affront to open a conversation with a criticism of something that is none of one's business and inconsequential. The man finally wandered off and I could tell the lady was either embarrassed by him or thought I was rude. I feel bad for that; she was nice and I didn't want her to feel I was anything but glad to help her. He ruined it.
Me: "Oh, I don't have any of those."
Him: "You're the only one I've seen without a [Company] shirt. You must have some pull."
Me: I corrected him, "No--I just don't prefer those shirts because of the way they fit. They offered me one yesterday but I said no because I prefer my own." I wanted to shout Because they don't care! What difference does it make?!? but I didn't need a complaint today. Why were we still on this?
So I just focused on the lady from then on, struggling to remain composed and humor his joke I didn't get. I was professional, but not as friendly as usual because I consider it an affront to open a conversation with a criticism of something that is none of one's business and inconsequential. The man finally wandered off and I could tell the lady was either embarrassed by him or thought I was rude. I feel bad for that; she was nice and I didn't want her to feel I was anything but glad to help her. He ruined it.
Comment