While I’ve never encountered this situation, I feel it’s important to be ready with a proper response, and I’d like to know what your reply would be/has been if it happens/happened to you.
You’re waiting or working in an obviously busy, frantic, crowded situation. All of a sudden, someone angrily demands “Don’t you know who I am?” and you see an actor/singer/sports figure/celeb expecting special treatment. What do you do if you’re the worker being accosted? What if you’re a bystander in the crowd? What is your perfect reaction?
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[li]If working at a desk or counter that includes access to the PA system, I’d have to announce “Attention please. We have a man/woman at the front who doesn’t seem to know who he/she is. If you’ve lost such a person, please see me.” [/li][li]As a bystander, I might helpfully say “Do you have a cell phone? You might check for you emergency contact and call them. Would you like me to help you with that?”[/li][li]Or, perhaps: “Aren’t you <totally different celeb>? I’m your biggest fan!!!”[/li][/ul]
By golly, if the opportunity ever presents itself, I’m ready! How about you?
I don’t know if I’d call it a “perfect” response, but my real response would be “I was attempting to protect your privacy by giving you the same excellent service as all of customers.”
“You’re a customer; a jewel upon the cushion of my employer’s hospitality, who will be receiving the best service I can possibly provide. Just as soon as it’s your turn.”
Are we assuming we know for a fact that the person in question is really just a nobody who has an overinflated sense of self-importance? What if it really was some very powerful person? I’m sure if he wanted to, Warren Buffett could make my life a living hell. Call me spineless but I wouldn’t intentionally do anything to get on his bad side, even if he was acting like a jerk.
Been there multiple times when I worked Security. I gave them a big, broad smile with wide eyes and said “I don’t care who you are!” then told them the exact same thing I told anyone else in that situation.
You’re a prof at a very small university. No one cares.
You’re a baseball player at a division III school. No one cares.
You’re the singer in a local band. No one cares.
No, I have no idea who you are. Go fuck yourself. No one cares.
“I wasn’t expecting the sex change either. Is it Robin now?”
When it actually did happen to me, I responded in the most insulting tones I could muster, “Yes. And…?” Strangely, the guy came back several times after that and turned out to be a very nice person and a good customer. We got quite friendly.
Never had the opportunity, but this is exactly what I would do. ‘Well I do/do not (as appropriate), but here’s the thing: I don’t care. You need to follow the rules like everyone else.’
I’d say firstly, “Yes” or “No”, depending on which was correct. And then follow up by saying, “But I need to follow the instructions for my job, so you will need to speak to the manager if you want to negotiate something else.”
