This past week I posted something on Facebook about my frustration with a woman who has having a fit over not receiving two discounts, but only one. The discount she didn't receive was her senior citizen discount, but she was still able to use her 30% off coupon.
Okay, here is my clarification - I do not have it in for senior citizens. I realize that many have worked hard all their lives, and if stores give out a special discount, why not use it. Here was my frustration - her behavior and treatment of the store manager and the clerk who had to handle the situation. The coupon (I had one, too), stated that it could not be combined with any other offer. When the clerk told her she could not combine it with her senior discount she became belligerent. The clerk then turned to another cashier to verify, and her co-worker confirmed this. The lady was still fit to be tied, so the store manager had to get involved. When he also confirmed this she continued to throw a fit. Now, I do not know her, or her income, or anything about her other than what I was observing. She looked well-to-do, but I realize that doesn't mean she is. All I know is that at some point she gave up being civil, and treated a cashier, and store manager, who were only enforcing the policy, very poorly. Also, everyone in line waiting to check out were able to observe this display.
I have a pet peeve about rude sales associates who act like I'm wasting their time by purchasing my items, but this was not the case here. The clerk remained calm, and did her best. I can only imagine that working in retail can be a thankless job, but possibly more so as the Holiday's approach.
My frustration was not over her being a senior citizen, or whether or not she worked hard all her life, it was over her behavior and treatment of the workers. We have all been in aggravating situations, where we've wanted to (or perhaps we have) lashed out at a clerk. But what has happened to being mannerly, behaving like adults, rather than children with temper tantrums? The Christmas shopping season is stressful. Some won't agree with me, but I'm not a fan of Black Friday shopping. I don't handle stress well, so I find it's best not to place myself in the middle of it on the worst shopping day of the year. Deal, or no deal! We just got done being thankful for all we have on Thursday, only to rush out at midnight to beat someone else to get the item we want, or our kids want, or our Uncle Brad or Uncle Jim wants...it doesn't make sense to me. But, that's my issue, not yours. :)
Perhaps we can find a simple way to treat a sales clerk nicely, even if we don't like the stores policy. Most are working hard, and not getting much time off this time of year, so they can afford their own Christmas shopping for friends and family.
