Okay, I understand that people in the customer service industry are supposed to just… take it and be polite no matter what. And I do that, but if you come in one more time and treat me like the dirt underneath your shoe again, I’m going to refuse service to you.
Every single time you have come in, you have been incredibly rude to me. I say hi, smile, ask what I can get you. I get you what you ask for, and then you always THROW your money at me, whether or not it’s coin or paper. When the order comes to $3.84, you mutter under your breath that I didn’t round it down to $3.80 and about the “four extra pennies”. Then when I tell you I can’t currently offer you ceramics because our dishwasher has unfortunately been broken for a month (an issue that, trust me, is not my fault, out of my control, and certainly something I wish I could fix), you proceed to respond with, “I asked to have that ‘for here’, but I guess your dishwasher’s broken, huh. That’s your USUAL excuse…” Then, you walk away, making me feel like a shitty person when I’ve been more than polite to you.
I also remember you yelling at my co-worker because our door was open, because we didn’t have AC. It was extremely warm, and it was nice outside. What the hell is wrong with you? If you have a concern, why can’t you just ask us, instead of yelling at us like we’re incompetent assholes?
If you come in and treat me like this again, I’m refusing service to you, and you’re going to know what I think of you. I would totally understand your rudeness if this was every once in a while or if I felt I did something to warrant such behaviour, but it’s been like this every single time I’ve ever served you. Go to hell. —Still a human being
This article appears in Jul 15-21, 2010.
I was trying to figure out what the customer bought for $3.84……ceramics?
Hey sebastian, the ceramics comment, I’m pretty sure, was in reference to a coffee cup. Which wasn’t available due to the broken dishwasher.
Dude sounds like a douche, btw.
if they are actually throwing it, refuse to pick it up or give a reciept. other than that, look for another job, that is your best bet.
Nah, next time, wait to give them the coffee until they throw the money… then hawk up a big loogie and dangle then drop it into his coffee, making sure they can see you, then put the lid on and hand it to them. (with a big beaming smile and a little bounce)
Introduce him to that new artificial sweetener – Drano crystals. Then call the police and have him arrested for performing an illegal breakdance on the premises. Add insult to injury by making him clean up his own bloody sputum. Film the whole thing and post it on u-toob, making you an unsung hero to service workers everywhere.
Don’t listen to that slapheaded jackass Dr. Phil – passive aggressive works.
And you haven’t talked to your manager about this? I would. Where I worked, I never had to deal with a customer this bad, but I always felt better knowing that my manager had my back. He was also a chef and had a big sharp knife with him at all time, which was very reassuring too.
Must be the husband of “Mrs They Served My Food Five Minutes After My Friend”.
No one can make you feel bad without your permission, sweetcakes. Besides, if you did tell him what you thought, he’d probably just stand there, blink a few times, then throw a fistful of pennies at you.
I don’t know why people in the service industry are so spineless. Sticking up for yourself or being assertive to rude customers is okay and should be done. You do not owe a customer anything really; courtesy is part of the job but you do NOT have to put up with excessive rudeness or even abuse.
If a customer throws money at you, you’re 100% entitled to throw it back. All you’re doing is treating them how they treat you. If you can’t stand up for yourself, LS said it; go find another job.
The problem is spineless owners/managers that will not back their employees. They believe that crap of the customer is always right. I’d love to see an asshole give a server some grief and the server telling them to fuck off. When the asshole goes to the owner/manager to complain, then the owner tell the customer “what are you still doing here, my staff told you to fuck off”. Aah such fantasies.
OP here. Unfortunately, my manager was right beside me when this happened. And he didn’t say or do anything, when I wasn’t even the one who took the man’s order in the first place; I was just ringing him through.
I’ve never been the one who wants to cause a confrontation, especially in a public place. So it’s hard for me to be out-and-out rude. I’ve only ever had to do that to one customer (some asshole who tried stealing our tips when we weren’t looking). I’m just not used it with most people. But, I wasn’t kidding — if he does it again, I’m going to refuse service to him.
Good for you but I hope you have another job in the offing cause your manager is a weenie.
You don’t have to be rude to stand up for yourself, jdp. A clever comeback doesn’t have to be mean-spirited, sarcastic, cynical, rude or stupid. I’ve had customers give me crap when I worked in bingo as a teen and the NSLC in my earlier years and I found ways to make good rebutts.
ngf speaks the truth…much fun is always had by all when you say funny shite out loud
One example from working at the NSLC:
Guy and gal have a large order of wine and beer; I ring everything in and bag it. They’re unsure of how they want to pay for it. At first they say cash, then debit, then charge, then they finally decide on debit. During the deliberation I jokingly say and laugh, “Oye, you’re driving me crazy.” The lady laughed back and jokingly said she was sorry; we were both just kidding around.
Her bf crosses his arms in a huff and snaps, “Well at least the service here is good!” The laughs and humour stops for a split second. Then I reply with, “Well, sir, here at the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation oustanding customer service is our first and foremost priority. Thank you for the kind compliment.” I then offer a genuine smile to the gent.
The lady, who was his gf, burst out laughing at my response as she knew he was trying to just be a jerk and I proceded to take his sarcasm, flip it and make him look stupid in front of his own lady. He stormed out quickly and she followed – still laughing. He didn’t say a word back.
My coworker next to me even said it was a brilliant comeback and that there was nothing he could do (complaint-wise) because I wasn’t rude or mean in my response.
That’s a great one NGF. I think the next time the jerk comes in, OP should ask him to file the complaint with the manager so they can improve their service in the future! I’m sure the guy will just run away.
DON’T SERVE HIM OP. After reading that bitch, I’ve come to the conclusion that this person deserves no respect. He is a total fucking asshole and should not be allowed to order there anymore. And why the fuck does he expect you to round the amount down??? That’s the price! Oh 4 cents, that’s going to break him there!
Your manager needs to grow a backbone and refuse to let him step into the place until he starts showing respect. Respect is supposed to come from both parties! There used to be a customer that would come into the restaurant I work at a few times and be so fucking nasty that he brought a couple of the servers to tears, my manager at the time (she no longer works there) told him not to come back and we refused service to that asshole from then on.
This person is obviously miserable and seeks any situation where he can treat people like shit and get away with it. Here’s hoping some morning he’ll hang himself instead of coming into your place for coffee/whatever.
restaurant I work*ed* at
Round it down to $3.80? Why not round it up to $3.85?
If your manager had a pair he would ban this piece of shit from the premises – I don’t see a java joint going under at the loss of $3.84 and it would improve morale among the staff.