I cough, so this asshole tries to get me into trouble

[Jester]

But they said they weren't sick anymore, it was a left over cough, basically an irritation, and therefore no actual germs to spread. There really isn't anything to get upset about.

But as has been pointed out, the customer has no idea if the employee was saying this because it was true, or if they were saying it to try to calm the customer down. People don't always tell the truth, ya know. Since the customer does not know the employee, he has no idea if what the employee is saying is true or not. So there may well be something to get upset about.

Do YOU take everyone at their word? I don't. Hell, I get people wanting me to all the time, especially if they are trying to buy drinks and they don't have their ID with them.

[Moirae]

I agree that he overreacted, but I suggest that you not cough into your hand, you cough into your sleeve. You touch things with your hands and can spread germs that way.

[lineswine]

1) You're OK, apart from this persistent (if harmless) cough.
2) Shit-fer-brains is being a raving douch about it.
3) He whines like a turbojet about it to your sup.
4) Sup listens, but really doesn't get a toss - he KNOWS you & treats you as such.
5) You're wound up, with just cause, but final analysis? Forget it, he's still just one douch, out of many.

You're OK with me.

[Andara Bledin]

But they said they weren't sick anymore, it was a left over cough, basically an irritation, and therefore no actual germs to spread. There really isn't anything to get upset about.

They know that, and we know that, but how is the customer supposed to know it?

As mentioned, the appearance of propriety is far more important than actual propriety when dealing with the public.

^-.-^

[DGoddessChardonnay]

I cough into my elbow whenever possible, but I wear gloves any time I am on the floor at work.

Despite that, we're always giving each other our sicknesses.

I do as well. We also have either a bottle of hand sanitizer or a dispenser tub of wipes on each register to use when we need to.

And, believe me, I use them every little bit on the days I'm running register. Better safe than sorry - as well as the fact that money carries everything 'cause it's been everywhere.

[rose_metal_nz]

Assholes like this need a reality check. Look asshole, I work for a living. I'm not some over-privileged prick who gets paid sick days; I don't show up, I'm not getting a paycheque. So many people are shocked to find out that there are jobs without sick days.

(emphasis mine)

Um, excuse me - having paid sick days does not an asshole make.

[Dips]

This is getting too heated, folks. We're closing it.