Bursting into tears over customers...

[NateTheChops]

I slam doors. I punch boxes.

I imagine all sorts of horrible and creative ways to end their miserable existences.

I'm sick of bullies and I'm tired of being the human punching bag for whatever douchebag just happened to have such a bad day that they felt the need to take it out on an innocent cashier.

As bad as my day has ever been I have never taken it out on someone else.

What makes it worse is when I get a customer like this and the manager takes their side. Like there's no possible way I could possibly have been innocent because naturally, the customer wouldn't just go out of their way to be an asshole to someone.

OP: In the words of David Tennant, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

[greensinestro]

Did you call the local mental institutions to see if there was a Silver Alert on this heffer? Definitely lock her ass up and throw away the key.

[NoMoreRetail]

I first read this a couple of days ago and I am enraged by it. As many others have said the manager should not have let it escalate to what it did, regardless if she really had a complaint or not, she had no business yelling like that in public. Security or the police should have been threatened the moment she raised her voice. These are not the types of customers that companies need to have, especially if they are scaring away other customers. I wouldn't shop at a store if I witnessed what happened to you and I would tell the manager that! If every customer who witnessed things like this happen called to complain to corporate about these unruly customers they might change their minds about allowing stuff like this to continue. Because it defiantly makes for a unpleasant shopping experience!

So sorry that his happened to you, I have been in that same position many times! Hopefully you are feeling better now

[Dreamstalker]

Yes, go to HR if you can. That behavior by the manager was inexcusable. Sometimes if I've been on register for awhile I get 'in the zone' and that efficiency probably could be taken as rudeness by the wrong person.

But who knows; maybe the manager's had his spine and his balls removed by his bosses because they're big believers that the customer is king, the customer is always right, every customer is worth retaining, blah blah blah, and he knows being too confrontational will just get him in trouble.

It's a sick, sad world we live in.

Agreed. My manager still knows the lost art of Irish diplomacy, so he still seems to have his spine and balls (I once listened in on an attempt by a 'lady'--who had been in the store that morning--to claim fraud on her debit card, that was fun) yet is able to hide it when the bigwigs show up. We can't ban people though and there are a few policies that seem very counterproductive.

*hugs* I've only come close to crying twice: years ago at the bookstore (SC was anal-retentive about giftwrapping an item where there was no way to do it absolutely perfectly) and my 'minor mistake' thread. Generally if I reach the point of tears (very rare) I'm about to go nuclear on something and my manager can tell.

[MaseMan]

The OP should at least talk to HR about this (assuming there is an HR at that company).

[Anakah]

Fail on your bosses part for not stepping in IMMEDIATELY. None of that should've taken place. Sounds like you need to go above your boss and let their boss know of the FAIL.

I'm really sorry you had to go through that... Customer service jobs are hard because you have to smile and be nice to absolute assholes. You did a good job. Don't listen to that bitch. It is NOT your job to stand there and get yelled at by someone.

I've had customers make me cry. Things will get better.

[Tama]

Oh holy crap! That would be AWESOME!

[XCashier]

Even though I've endured some of the worst, I used to be in the Army and none of those customers can match tones with the drill sergeants I've had in basic training! Ouchie-MAMA!!!

Now if only some of your drill sergeants could be conscripted into dealing with these SCs...

[downforit2008]

I hope you're feeling better from THAT horrible experience!!! It's amazing how many people can be such jerks to people like us because they presume "there's no future in customer service." Then WHO IN THE HELL would have such a job when people need to go buy things or have a question about something they ARE buying or HAVE bought??? Customer service is one of the biggest jobs in this country, which also happens to be one of the most under-appreciated and lower-paying jobs as well, so people get this stupid idea that only LOSERS would have such a job.
Sorry, to all the morons out there, but without people like us, shopping malls and grocery stores and ANY business which is even slightly customer-related would cease to exist. Someone has to do the dirty work, while the people who are put on pedestals prance around and bully them and harass them shamelessly.
People like this should be given a smile(forced, at least) and THIS simple reply: "I like my job. Do YOU?" (Even if you hate your job, why should they know about that???)

I have worked full-time in Retail for 4 years, but am one of the very lucky few who have never been brought to the point of tears by a customer. Even though I've endured some of the worst, I used to be in the Army and none of those customers can match tones with the drill sergeants I've had in basic training! Ouchie-MAMA!!!

[retailworker7]

I agree with many other people. You did not do anything wrong here. Your manager should not have let this situation continue to escalate. It sucks that the only way some people are happy is by acting like this.

Where I work we would page the manager immediately for a customer that is screaming like that. That women was way out of line. If a manager is not available right away usually another employee will come up and try to help out by distracting the screamer. We used to have one customer that would get very loud and insulting to whoever was checking her out. She tried it with me once and the manager was bringing me change and she told her to stop screaming or she could leave. I have seen this customer since then and now she is really nice to me. I later found out from her daughter that she does have mental issues and sometimes refuses to take her meds. This customers daughter actually gave my manager her phone number to contact her if there were anymore issues. It also may be likely that you were dealing with someone who has severe mental issues and was off their meds. Anything can set someone like that off.

[dragon_wings]

I haven't read most of the replies cause I know what they say. Once I had a customer that called me racist. My manager (of the same race as the SC) defended me. I was so upset (cause I'm far from racist, most people that know me say I'm the most open and accepting person they know) I was in tears. My tears *offended* the bitch that called me racist.
Anyways, my point is, a lot of us have been through that. It sucks but I like to think it makes us stronger and better cashiers/CSRs/people.

[Der Cute]

Honey, I'm sorry she did that to you. Someone recently called me a "stupid person" from behind a door. Know what I did? I rewired that sound in my head to sound like "super person". Silly. But it works. You're not stupid. You're super. Try it, ok?

[42_42_42]

That woman was crackers. She belongs in a mental institution. And your manager needs swift kick in the rear for being such an arsehole.

[MoonCat]

I agree with everyone else here. That woman is crazy-ass nuts. And your manager deserves a kick to the ass...the minute that harpy started to yell he should have "escorted" her to the door and out. There was absolutely no reason for him to her her do that, corporate philosophy be damned. A customer who wants to make a complaint can talk to the manager quietly on the side. She caused a scene on purpose. She's disgusting.

[XCashier]

Then when my manager tells her that what she is doing is not appropriate and how she needs to stop because im crying she says very angrily "I DONT CARE IF SHES CRYING, YOURE TAKING HER SIDE?!"

Nice try, manager, but too little, too late. There's a time for diplomacy and a time to kick ass, and this SC was in desperate need of a shoe leather enema.

I'm sorry you had to deal with that, Saturdayx. That was beyond inappropriate. I read and re-read your post, and saw nothing that you did to deserve this harpy's tirade.

Many of us have been driven to tears by horrid customers. Eventually, we do grow the thicker skin, are able to serve the most vicious hag with a big cheery smile (because we know we'll never be as bad as they are) and send them on their way with a chirpy "See you next time!"