OP nailed it, when she said, "some people think they can talk down to anyone and use someone's employment as leverage to get away with speaking to people like that." I've known people that purposefully treat retail workers with disrespect and after witnessing their behavior firsthand, I cut contact.
Jim Croce's song, "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" has the chorus: "You don't tug on Superman's cape You don't spit into the wind. You don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger And you don't mess around with Jim." They don't write 'em like that anymore.
I listen to a lot of these stories and believe me, after over 30 years of dealing with the public as a Federal employee, I stand beside every poor individual who has to deal with deliberately obtuse individuals. I used my Scottish grannies raised brow and unimpressed pointed look to set more than a few of them back on their heels without speaking a word. Some times it was my outlandish sense of humor that took over. At other times, I simply refused to engage until their behavior changed (explained that of course). Then there was the lesson I learned from my mother. She suffered from extreme shyness and anxiety. I had picked her up to take her shopping and was taken aback with how she had responded to a question a sales rep asked her. I took her aside and asked her why she had acted that way and she was stunned. She was working so hard to just keep her anxiety down so she could actually function in the world that she was unaware of how she had responded. I guess there are many people and just as many reasons for people to act they way they do at any given point. Seeing my mom definitely added another possibility. Management needs to do a much better job of supporting their staff. The worst behavior should never be rewarded.
Agatha story: Well done OP! Firing a government employee is difficult. Getting her moved to an essentially non-management position with little to no promotion possibilities is about the best that could be arranged. Behavior story: I agree!!! Employees need to be allowed to talk back to customers in the same way they were spoken to. And to just plain be allowed to refuse service if the attitude given is bad enough with no employment repercussions. A calm tone and basic politeness is not too much to be required of customers as well. HR story: Amazing! HR actually did it's job. Too bad they didn't do a deep enough background check BEFORE hiring her.
Here’s a thought about what I do when I need help in a “Store” of any kind. I’ll approach someone who looks like they may be an employee & I ask they, “Excuse me, do you work here?” Never had any need to “Bark” at a random stranger. I usually get the help I need w/o any trouble or inconvenience.
Using what remains of my "Southern & Midwest" Accent (I'm now in Massachusetts), I always say: "Pardon Me" and then ask my question in a polite manner to someone that is (99+%) obviously an employee... I have ALWAYS gotten a positive response! Often with a relaxing of the employee's shoulders and a smile, along with the employee turning to face me fully! (An old saying about Honey .vs. Vinegar comes to mind!!!)
*Last Story:* Ugh, I *_hate_* it when execs are so toxic that HR has to setup an investigation, having worked on two in my time in IT. Hopefully all the hours spent investigating Karen came out of her severance because that poop can get _expensive._
My husband, BIL, and FIL are 6’5”, 6’3”, and 6’2” respectively. Quite often while shopping they get asked by random people to please get something off the top shelf. They don’t mind as long as one is polite. If one is rude they’ll tell you do go find someone who’s paid (though not enough) to deal with rudeness. Bottom line. Need help, just be polite.
I'm always polite when asking . And usually explain I'm short and can't reach it without climbing on the shelf itself. I'm 5 ft. It happ in the laundry cleaning aside every month. ( you would think they would put at least a small row of stuff on a bottom shelf and the rest on top. They dont)
That first story... in my old job our manager got promoted and one of the other engineers was promoted to take his place. Being ex military (and recently so), he decided he needed to micromanage us. Now we had all been doing this for years, were very experienced and good at what we did and generally didn't need to be told anything about how to do our jobs, so this didn't go over well at all. Finally our senior guy had enough and announced his retirement. Then he and this manager had a meeting, senior guy got really pissed off and left. (and I wound up inheriting his work). New manager had a meeting with his manager, and it would have been interesting to be a fly on THAT wall. But the thing is, after that meeting new manage did a complete 180. He went from being one of the worst managers I ever had to one of the best. Good people, managed properly, can change their behavior and become better people. It sounds like in the first story that upper level manager either didn't get that second part, or the micromanager was to stupid and pig headed to change.
When some 'Karen' sneers, "Excuse ME," your best response would be, "Why, did you Fart?" From there just let hilarity ensue. Hold your nose and yell,, "OH MY GOD, What the hell did you EAT?" Be LOUD as you exit the area.
Whenever I go to the Mart of Walls I ALWAYS compliment the cashier. I say to them, Do you know who the REAL HEROES ARE? People who work in retail. I made a friend that way. Her name blew me away , Her name is Fate. And she is awesome
Don't do that to RANDOM people! They'll think that you're a Karen. Wait until you're approached by a Karen. As she starts to be rude and demanding, interrupt her. Then insist that she go in back to find some specific item, maybe a ladle. When she stands there trying to figure out what just happened, walk away and find a manager.
NOBODY, I mean, NOBODY, tells me what to do. (apart from the Police in the Line of Duty). My reaction would be, "Why the F should I do that you Rude B?". That'll get them running for the "Manager". With me following V. close behind to watch/stoke the embarrassment.
There have been times when I've asked someone that I know isn't an employee for help. But, it's always for one of 3 reasons: 1) they're taller than I am and I can't reach something. 2) they're buying something I'm looking for, so I'll ask where they found it. It's always prefaced with, I know you don't work here. 3) if I can't find an employee, I may ask another customer if they've seen one.
Last story I find it funny that the boss tried to insult a place of employment where she can't fire anyone she wants. It might come as a surprise but outside of the third world country with a Gucci band that's the norm.
I'm pretty sure most businesses won't create a position without having lengthy discussions as well as budget reviews to make sure that they have those kinds of funds for those kinds of people. Especially with the amount of workforce we have these days it's hard to retain any good people.
Story 1. OP was technically the reason for Agatha's low work completion because he was questioning her for next steps to take etc. If she hadnt demanded they do this then she woukd have been able to get on withvwhat she needed to do
I’ve seen a couple of complaints here from employees wondering why shoppers ask them if they work there when they are clearly in uniform. This is why. The shopper doesn’t want to ask for assistance if the employee is on break or off duty, or if the person is another shopper dressed similarly to an employee. No normal person wants to come across as an ill-mannered Karen. A simple “Excuse me, do you work here?” should never be met with hostility from a real worker. Similarly any shopper should use reasonable courtesy and actually LISTEN to the reply.
Note to all the big retail companies: You could totally get away with allowing employees to be rude to rude customers. There's literally nowhere else for them to go to shop now anyway, the worst they could do is go to one of your stores a county away because you banned them or their heads are so far up their a**es that you really would be better off without them as a customer anyway when they decide to threaten to take their business elsewhere. Just call them out on it and they will either settle down, leave, or give you a reason to get them off the streets entirely for the public good!
Omg I have two co-workers at work One is a guy C that's trying to get rid of the other guy J so he can have C's dad work with him at the same school. J's a classmate of mine from high school and is working hard to try and get his daughter back from his girlfriend. Thing is we're always getting our staff shipped off to other schools so it's hard to keep anybody good at our place. I talked to my other co-worker and said that this is just a bunch of bullshit that you can't get what you want all the time when it comes to coworkers especially if you're related to them.
in the last story if I was a senior VP in that company it would not have taken a couple of months every one of her cronies would have been fired the very next f--king day
@@mkvv5687 NOT NECESSARILY the karen boss of the story made up positions that the company previously didn't have so therefore the job never existed before they started therefore they can be fired without cause because the position was created just to give them that job
It's not hard to be civil and polite, it takes effort to deliberately rude, disrespectful or a jerk. Words like please, thank you, you're welcome are not hard to say. It's the parents' job to teach these things to their children. If that isn't happening it is the fault of the culture raising these children that is to blame. Stable two parent homes are necessary for the stability of society, along with moral and ethical values. While I don't know enough about Sharia Law to have a meaningful opinion about it, I do agree that the "We don't allow stupid BS" part of it makes a lot of sense. When criminal behavior is not only tolerated but encouraged through lack of prosecution you know that our society is on the verge of collapse.
OP nailed it, when she said, "some people think they can talk down to anyone and use someone's employment as leverage to get away with speaking to people like that." I've known people that purposefully treat retail workers with disrespect and after witnessing their behavior firsthand, I cut contact.
Jim Croce's song, "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" has the chorus:
"You don't tug on Superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind.
You don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger
And you don't mess around with Jim."
They don't write 'em like that anymore.
That's exactly what I thought of as well. To the point my husband pulled it up and played it for our son (20) lmao
Heh. I had miss remembered the words. I thought it was something else that you didn't do into the wind.
I listen to a lot of these stories and believe me, after over 30 years of dealing with the public as a Federal employee, I stand beside every poor individual who has to deal with deliberately obtuse individuals. I used my Scottish grannies raised brow and unimpressed pointed look to set more than a few of them back on their heels without speaking a word. Some times it was my outlandish sense of humor that took over. At other times, I simply refused to engage until their behavior changed (explained that of course). Then there was the lesson I learned from my mother. She suffered from extreme shyness and anxiety. I had picked her up to take her shopping and was taken aback with how she had responded to a question a sales rep asked her. I took her aside and asked her why she had acted that way and she was stunned. She was working so hard to just keep her anxiety down so she could actually function in the world that she was unaware of how she had responded. I guess there are many people and just as many reasons for people to act they way they do at any given point. Seeing my mom definitely added another possibility. Management needs to do a much better job of supporting their staff. The worst behavior should never be rewarded.
Agatha story: Well done OP! Firing a government employee is difficult. Getting her moved to an essentially non-management position with little to no promotion possibilities is about the best that could be arranged.
Behavior story: I agree!!! Employees need to be allowed to talk back to customers in the same way they were spoken to. And to just plain be allowed to refuse service if the attitude given is bad enough with no employment repercussions. A calm tone and basic politeness is not too much to be required of customers as well.
HR story: Amazing! HR actually did it's job. Too bad they didn't do a deep enough background check BEFORE hiring her.
Here’s a thought about what I do when I need help in a “Store” of any kind. I’ll approach someone who looks like they may be an employee & I ask they, “Excuse me, do you work here?” Never had any need to “Bark” at a random stranger. I usually get the help I need w/o any trouble or inconvenience.
Using what remains of my "Southern & Midwest" Accent (I'm now in Massachusetts), I always say: "Pardon Me" and then ask my question in a polite manner to someone that is (99+%) obviously an employee... I have ALWAYS gotten a positive response! Often with a relaxing of the employee's shoulders and a smile, along with the employee turning to face me fully! (An old saying about Honey .vs. Vinegar comes to mind!!!)
I really hate when folks are rude to workers. 🤬
*Last Story:* Ugh, I *_hate_* it when execs are so toxic that HR has to setup an investigation, having worked on two in my time in IT. Hopefully all the hours spent investigating Karen came out of her severance because that poop can get _expensive._
My husband, BIL, and FIL are 6’5”, 6’3”, and 6’2” respectively. Quite often while shopping they get asked by random people to please get something off the top shelf. They don’t mind as long as one is polite. If one is rude they’ll tell you do go find someone who’s paid (though not enough) to deal with rudeness. Bottom line. Need help, just be polite.
I'm always polite when asking . And usually explain I'm short and can't reach it without climbing on the shelf itself. I'm 5 ft. It happ in the laundry cleaning aside every month. ( you would think they would put at least a small row of stuff on a bottom shelf and the rest on top. They dont)
That first story... in my old job our manager got promoted and one of the other engineers was promoted to take his place. Being ex military (and recently so), he decided he needed to micromanage us. Now we had all been doing this for years, were very experienced and good at what we did and generally didn't need to be told anything about how to do our jobs, so this didn't go over well at all.
Finally our senior guy had enough and announced his retirement. Then he and this manager had a meeting, senior guy got really pissed off and left. (and I wound up inheriting his work).
New manager had a meeting with his manager, and it would have been interesting to be a fly on THAT wall. But the thing is, after that meeting new manage did a complete 180. He went from being one of the worst managers I ever had to one of the best.
Good people, managed properly, can change their behavior and become better people. It sounds like in the first story that upper level manager either didn't get that second part, or the micromanager was to stupid and pig headed to change.
When some 'Karen' sneers, "Excuse ME," your best response would be, "Why, did you Fart?" From there just let hilarity ensue. Hold your nose and yell,, "OH MY GOD, What the hell did you EAT?" Be LOUD as you exit the area.
Good morning everyone and RedWheel 😊
Hope everyone has a great Friday 😊
Whenever I go to the Mart of Walls I ALWAYS compliment the cashier. I say to them, Do you know who the REAL HEROES ARE? People who work in retail. I made a friend that way. Her name blew me away , Her name is Fate. And she is awesome
Happy Friday RedWheel hope you are well. Thanks for sharing. Please stay safe.🏴😁😷👍. Have a great day and a wonderful weekend everyone
I'm going to start asking random people in stores to go in the back and get me something. Sounds like the thing to do in this day and age.
Don't do that to RANDOM people! They'll think that you're a Karen.
Wait until you're approached by a Karen. As she starts to be rude and demanding, interrupt her. Then insist that she go in back to find some specific item, maybe a ladle.
When she stands there trying to figure out what just happened, walk away and find a manager.
NOBODY, I mean, NOBODY, tells me what to do. (apart from the Police in the Line of Duty). My reaction would be, "Why the F should I do that you Rude B?". That'll get them running for the "Manager". With me following V. close behind to watch/stoke the embarrassment.
There have been times when I've asked someone that I know isn't an employee for help.
But, it's always for one of 3 reasons: 1) they're taller than I am and I can't reach something. 2) they're buying something I'm looking for, so I'll ask where they found it. It's always prefaced with, I know you don't work here. 3) if I can't find an employee, I may ask another customer if they've seen one.
Last story I find it funny that the boss tried to insult a place of employment where she can't fire anyone she wants. It might come as a surprise but outside of the third world country with a Gucci band that's the norm.
Good morning RedWheel have a fantastic day
I'm pretty sure most businesses won't create a position without having lengthy discussions as well as budget reviews to make sure that they have those kinds of funds for those kinds of people. Especially with the amount of workforce we have these days it's hard to retain any good people.
FINALLY NO HOA STORIES
On the last story, awesome, great job op.
With me working retail myself, i wish so much we would be allowed to fight fire with fire..aka if customer is rude we can match it.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story 1. OP was technically the reason for Agatha's low work completion because he was questioning her for next steps to take etc. If she hadnt demanded they do this then she woukd have been able to get on withvwhat she needed to do
I’ve seen a couple of complaints here from employees wondering why shoppers ask them if they work there when they are clearly in uniform. This is why. The shopper doesn’t want to ask for assistance if the employee is on break or off duty, or if the person is another shopper dressed similarly to an employee. No normal person wants to come across as an ill-mannered Karen. A simple “Excuse me, do you work here?” should never be met with hostility from a real worker. Similarly any shopper should use reasonable courtesy and actually LISTEN to the reply.
Note to all the big retail companies: You could totally get away with allowing employees to be rude to rude customers. There's literally nowhere else for them to go to shop now anyway, the worst they could do is go to one of your stores a county away because you banned them or their heads are so far up their a**es that you really would be better off without them as a customer anyway when they decide to threaten to take their business elsewhere. Just call them out on it and they will either settle down, leave, or give you a reason to get them off the streets entirely for the public good!
❤❤good❤❤moening❤❤redwheel❤❤comunity❤❤from❤❤louisville❤❤ky❤❤it's a nice cold morning
Omg I have two co-workers at work One is a guy C that's trying to get rid of the other guy J so he can have C's dad work with him at the same school. J's a classmate of mine from high school and is working hard to try and get his daughter back from his girlfriend. Thing is we're always getting our staff shipped off to other schools so it's hard to keep anybody good at our place. I talked to my other co-worker and said that this is just a bunch of bullshit that you can't get what you want all the time when it comes to coworkers especially if you're related to them.
Forget Jim, don't mess around with HR.😅
Jim works fcr HR.
in the last story if I was a senior VP in that company it would not have taken a couple of months every one of her cronies would have been fired the very next f--king day
And then you would have gotten to be able to pay their unemployment, and whatever lawsuit winnings they received.
@@mkvv5687 NOT NECESSARILY the karen boss of the story made up positions that the company previously didn't have so therefore the job never existed before they started therefore they can be fired without cause because the position was created just to give them that job
@@donniearmstrong8390 Could be. The legal work necessary to prove that might end up being uneconomical.
Last story: Rule #4- Never bet against a Sicilian when death is on the line.
"AH-HA HA HA! HAHAH HA HA! AHAHA HA HA - "
*Thud*
yeah, because there might involve a ‘kapara’
It's not hard to be civil and polite, it takes effort to deliberately rude, disrespectful or a jerk. Words like please, thank you, you're welcome are not hard to say. It's the parents' job to teach these things to their children. If that isn't happening it is the fault of the culture raising these children that is to blame. Stable two parent homes are necessary for the stability of society, along with moral and ethical values. While I don't know enough about Sharia Law to have a meaningful opinion about it, I do agree that the "We don't allow stupid BS" part of it makes a lot of sense. When criminal behavior is not only tolerated but encouraged through lack of prosecution you know that our society is on the verge of collapse.
Silly Karen government jobs aren't at will
Welcome back! 💜🤗💜✌