# A Perfectly Reasonable Amount of Schadenfreude about Things Happening to Trump & His Enablers (Part 3) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [January 20, 2025, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175 "2025-01-20T19:23:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 98
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1941 "2025-11-11T14:14:48Z")
The smile, like penance, only works if it is genuine. Otherwise go straight back to kowtow. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1942 "2025-11-11T14:32:34Z")
The problem with that strategy is that _you need to get customers in the door_ before you can smile at them. ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1943 "2025-11-11T14:37:42Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > I’m reminded of how Safeway has or had the same policy, It was even worse. About 20 years ago, Safeway checkers and baggers around here were required to thank you personally with your first name, which they didn’t even know most of the time. So they were put in the awkward situation of _having to ask your name_, so they could thank you “personally.” I am totally with @OldOlds on this! It was the definition of “false intimacy” and I would just clench my teeth and smile and say “no, that’s OK. Bye.” I don’t know what corporate genius thought this up but I was repulsed, and sympathized with the poor employees. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1944 "2025-11-11T15:33:29Z")
> [@bobsmom101](#): > > It was even worse. About 20 years ago, Safeway checkers and baggers around here were required to thank you personally with your first name, which they didn’t even know most of the time. So they were put in the awkward situation of _having to ask your name_, so they could thank you “personally.” “Thanks, chum/doll.” See? I solved the issue. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1945 "2025-11-11T15:38:42Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > The problem with that strategy is that _you need to get customers in the door_ before you can smile at them. Let’s rearrange these deck chairs-- I think that will help morale! But…the deck is too slanty-- they won’t stay in place… ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1946 "2025-11-11T15:56:27Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > “If a customer is within six feet of you, be sure to leave your box cart in the place that will cause the greatest obstruction to them” That for me is textbook Aldi, but I suppose it can be a brand-agnostic policy. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1947 "2025-11-11T16:02:05Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > That for me is textbook Aldi Textbook Home Depot and/or Lowe’s for me. ---
**Author:** ![Frazzled](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frazzled/32/3368_2.png) [@Frazzled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frazzled)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1948 "2025-11-11T16:12:23Z")
Right up the road from my office is a restaurant called La La Land. [La La Land Kind Café – La La Land Kind Cafe](https://lalalandkindcafe.com/) They’re good, and pretty popular in the mornings. But the first time I went they really drilled into the “Kind Cafe” idea and forced their employees to say “I love you” to all of the customers. I’m a live and let live kind of guy but that was a bit too far for me. Fortunately, that policy didn’t last long. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1949 "2025-11-11T16:13:27Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > When an employee smiles at me it makes me feel like I’m participating in some sort of humiliation ritual for them. Well put. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1950 "2025-11-11T16:41:36Z")
“Welcome to Costco. I love you. … Welcome to Costco. I love you …” It’s all happening. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1951 "2025-11-11T17:03:23Z")
I sometimes wonder of I’m an annoyingly cheerful patron. “Would you like to supersize that?” “No, but it’s kind of you to ask.” ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1952 "2025-11-11T17:28:49Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Textbook Home Depot and/or Lowe’s for me. I came in to say, the 10-foot rule at Home Depot is “if a customer approaches to within 10 feet, turn your back on them and strike up a conversation with another employee.” ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1953 "2025-11-11T17:31:03Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > For the record, Target is nowhere near the first to implement this kind of policy. See, for example, the 10-foot rule (https:// blog.founders.illinois.edu/walmart-10-foot-rule/) at Walmart. [Moderating] I get a warning about that site not being secure when I click the link, so I’ve broken it just to be on the safe side. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1954 "2025-11-11T18:30:01Z")
‘TYFSAK.’ ‘Thank you for shopping at Kmart.’ ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1955 "2025-11-11T20:35:11Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > “Thanks, chum/doll.” See? I solved the issue. But the poor employee already feels bad enough. They aren’t doing this by choice, it’s a job requirement. For myself, I just didn’t care to participate and wanted to get out as fast a possible. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1956 "2025-11-11T21:58:20Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > For the record, Target is nowhere near the first to implement this kind of policy. See, for example, the 10-foot rule (https:// blog.founders.illinois.edu/walmart-10-foot-rule/) at Walmart. I did that at Toys R Us as far back as 1995. It’s Retail 101. It’s one of the core foundations of customer service. I’m pretty sure I was specifically taught the “10 foot rule” though I was more subjective about it. Hell, I still do it in IT. It’s one reason why I have a very successful career for decades. .I don’t see a problem with it, it’s how things have worked longer than any of us have been alive. Now, if you have “smile monitors” following you around like some dystopian nightmare threatening to fire you, that’s different. But smiling at customers is a basic thing everyone in the service industry does and is taught to do. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2025, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1957 "2025-11-11T22:23:06Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Now, if you have “smile monitors” following you around like some dystopian nightmare threatening to fire you, that’s different. I was guessing it’s the occasional ‘secret shopper’. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1958 "2025-11-12T00:33:59Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > “Thanks, chum/doll I’m not your chum, mate! ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1959 "2025-11-12T11:14:56Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > @DrStrangeLove would probably be the best one to answer this, but I haven’t seen him post in a month or so. I’ll do my best. @DrStrangeLove and @Dr.StrangeLove are 2 different members. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2025, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1960 "2025-11-12T13:16:16Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > I’m not your chum, mate! Settle down, toots. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175.md?page=97) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175.md?page=99)