# "The line is too long." Another fun tale of customer stupidity **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 21, 2002, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925 "2002-09-21T03:26:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/121 "2002-09-25T10:11:18Z")
Not only have I worked in retail, I’ve worked in tourism! There are some incredibly rude people out there, and **WSLer** met one. While I probably wouldn’t have handled the situation the same way, I was amused by it. Me, when I get mad, I get polite. Years ago, I worked for the Japanese section of a certain tour company. I was doing paperwork one day when I was vaguely aware of someone reaming out my counterparts on the American side, about 2 or 3 yards/meters away. I wasn’t paying attention to what he was saying, but I knew the people and they were very competant, and he didn’t seem to be in a mood to be placated. After he’d finished with them, he came over to me, stood in front of me and said in a loud, offended tone, “I don’t appreciate being lied to.” I looked up from my paperwork, but on my best, bland British accent, and said, “I’m sorry if we have displeased you in anyway, sir,” and went back to my paperwork. Translation: “Go to hell. Go directly hell. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200, just GO TO HELL!” As I read it, the guy was spoiling for a fight and determined to involve bystanders. This one wasn’t going to be involved. I’m with **Guinastasia**. Politeness is a wonderful way to disarm twits because they don’t know how to handle it (lack of exposure?). CJ ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/122 "2002-09-25T10:25:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hastur \* > \*\* > > What _is_ your problem with his story? > > I have also done things like this and confronted customers in a way to embarass them because polite and civil were not effective. > > Case in point: > > I was working at a Circle K(horrors). At the hot dog area, frat boys were prone to making a mess just so we’d have to clean it up. > > One Friday night during a very busy period, I saw four frat brats crowded around the hot dog island making a mega mess and laughing about it. One of them had the gall to take a ketchup packet, put it on the ground, and he stomped on it. > > That is when I walked over to them and said: “DO I LOOK LIKE YOUR MOTHER? I am not paid to look after you, I am not paid to clean up after you, and I am not here to take your crap. What you have done is vandalism. You have made it so not only do I have to spend time cleaning, others will be inconvienienced because of the mess you have created. Put down the hot dogs, do not come back, AND GET OUT OF THIS STORE.” > > They thought I was kidding until I walked to the phone and began dialing the police to have them removed. > > While they had the balls to call me bitch and faggot as they left, they did not return, the store remained cleaner, and no one tried to do what they did. \*\* These 2 stories aren’t even in the same ballpark. There is a big difference between confronting a customer on a one on one basis (very believable) and jumping on an intercom at a major retailer, that is full of customers, and belting out some insults and having everyone in the store on your side like in some sort of John Hughes movie. And kept his job to boot. I’m suprised he didn’t throw in something about getting a promotion over the popular jock in the music dept. I’m sorry. This just did NOT happen. There is nothing that can be said that can sway my belief. And, IMHO, anyone that says that this happened as described is either REALLY gullible or “wishes” it happened just like WSLer wishes it did. I am not saying that employees do not confront customers and get into shit with them, because they do. I have seen it. But not in this “Empire Records” sort of way that WSLer has presented. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/123 "2002-09-25T11:03:34Z")
**Stinkpalm** , we get the point already. You don’t believe the story. Fine, just shut up about it and let everyone else continue their discussion about the hell of retail. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/124 "2002-09-25T11:18:10Z")
Woah. CrazyCatLady has spoken. The earth shakes with her presence. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/125 "2002-09-25T11:33:44Z")
It is your opinion that the scenario did not take place. It is not a FACT that it did not take place. Others are of a different opinion. Me, I don’t care. I’m arguing a hypothetical anyway. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/126 "2002-09-25T11:40:18Z")
Whoah. **Stinkpalm** has said it didn’t happen, so I guess the mods can close the thread now. The board trembles before his authoritay. Jackass. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/127 "2002-09-25T13:38:45Z")
Well, Stinkpalm is living in a world where this can’t possibly happen, but if it did, you would sue. For what, we still don’t know. Stinkpalm - never underestimate the variation in human behavior. It is likely that someplace on this planet, something like this has happened - more than once. It is also likely that the woman never called to complain, or if she did, Barnes and Noble filed her complaint under “nutjob” and sent her a gift certificate and never called the store to check. In my experience, corporate offices really don’t keep that tight a rein on day to day operations. I once worked in a Fanny Farmer where the high school employees had candy fights - yep, threw candy at each other. And, despite getting busted, not one of them got fired. Barnes and Noble can’t even tell me what the store 3 miles away has in their inventory! ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/128 "2002-09-25T16:06:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by spooje \* > **It is your opinion that the scenario did not take place. It is not a FACT that it did not take place.** We’re obviously dealing a graduate of the **december school of debate**. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/129 "2002-09-25T17:39:28Z")
I don’t mean that **WSL** was out of line-I don’t blame him at all. I’m just saying that this how I personally handle it. It’s not Polite so much as annoyingly sachriny. REALLY fake nice. Big smile and my kindergarten teacher voice. ---
**Author:** ![malaka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@malaka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malaka)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/130 "2002-09-25T17:39:37Z")
[me too] I was with 4 greek friends on an island in Greece several summers ago. The boat ride over was horrible, so we decided to find a flight back to the mainland instead. We found one of the many travel agencies on the island, went inside and explained our situation to the man behind the counter. _We spoke english._ He tapped away at his computer and informed us that there were no flights available. We should check back that afternoon and then, maybe again tomorrow. Dejected, we turned to leave and the following conversation took place…_in greek_: Me: Fuck! What are we gonna do now? Friend: Who knows… Travel Agent: Excuse me…you speak greek? Us: Yes. Travel Agent: Are you greek? Us: Yes. Travel Agent: Let me check the computer again. \ Aha…I’ve found a flight! [/me too] Also, IMHO, the OP was justified. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/131 "2002-09-25T18:01:31Z")
Anybody else want to know how to say “fuck” in Greek? ---
**Author:** ![furnishesq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/977dab/32.png) [@furnishesq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furnishesq)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/132 "2002-09-25T18:44:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Stinkpalm \* > \*\* > > These 2 stories aren’t even in the same ballpark. There is a big difference between confronting a customer on a one on one basis (very believable) and jumping on an intercom at a major retailer, that is full of customers, and belting out some insults and having everyone in the store on your side like in some sort of John Hughes movie. And kept his job to boot. I’m suprised he didn’t throw in something about getting a promotion over the popular jock in the music dept. > \*\* LOL – I agree! But you left out the fact that the teller was a misunderstod goth book lover desperately in love with Molly Ringwald. The woman, was actually the popular jocks girlfriend, the captain of the cheerleading team. After the teller tells off the woman on the intercom, Molly Ringwald – who runs the espresso machine at the stor as a way to make extra money for her family – since her father is dying of cancer, realizes she loves the goth book teller. The manager of the story – who is a grumpy old man, but really has a heart of gold gives his keys to his porche to the book teller and tell him to ask Molly on a date. Molly says yes, and they kiss, but to the load and thunderous applause of the customers waiting in line. . . ---
**Author:** ![furnishesq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/977dab/32.png) [@furnishesq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furnishesq)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/133 "2002-09-25T18:46:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Stinkpalm \* > \*\* > > These 2 stories aren’t even in the same ballpark. There is a big difference between confronting a customer on a one on one basis (very believable) and jumping on an intercom at a major retailer, that is full of customers, and belting out some insults and having everyone in the store on your side like in some sort of John Hughes movie. And kept his job to boot. I’m suprised he didn’t throw in something about getting a promotion over the popular jock in the music dept. > \*\* LOL – I agree! But you left out the fact that the teller was a misunderstod goth book lover desperately in love with Molly Ringwald. The woman, was actually the popular jocks girlfriend, the captain of the cheerleading team. After the teller tells off the woman on the intercom, Molly Ringwald – who runs the espresso machine at the store as a way to make extra money for her family – since her father is dying of cancer, realizes she loves the goth book teller. The manager of the store – who is a grumpy old man, but really has a heart of gold, gives his keys to his porche to the book teller and tells him to ask Molly on a date. Molly says yes, and they kiss, but to the loud and thunderous applause of the customers waiting in line. . . The jock and the cheerleader stand there fuming. . . ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/134 "2002-09-25T19:03:50Z")
[continuing the hijack] You mean there are people who find Molly Ringwald attractive? I always thought that was a UL. [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![blur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dbc845/32.png) [@blur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blur)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/135 "2002-09-25T19:06:28Z")
**furnishesq** Wow, the plot never changes in any of Hughes’ movies, does it? ---
**Author:** ![blur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dbc845/32.png) [@blur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blur)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/136 "2002-09-25T19:09:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RTFirefly \* > \*\*[continuing the hijack] > You mean there are people who find Molly Ringwald attractive? > > I always thought that was a UL. > [/hijack] \*\* I loved Molly Ringwald when I was like 12. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/138 "2002-09-25T19:56:45Z")
“Our” little troll hunter? Strange that you would be familiar with him after a total of three posts… :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/139 "2002-09-25T20:47:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jolly Pastencut \* > \*\*And what about our little troll hunter **squeegee**? I see he’s still up to his baiting ways. DNFTTH! \*\* And where was this, exactly? To put it another way, “Cites please!” > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Dooku_ > “Our” little troll hunter? Strange that you would be familiar with him after a total of three posts… We seem to be collecting quite a bit of socks lately. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/140 "2002-09-25T21:04:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jeff Olsen \* > We seem to be collecting quite a bit of socks lately. \*\* I’m sorry; that’s my fault. I just did laundry, and had a whole bunch of onesies when I was done. If you’ll send all the socks to me, I’ll roll them up into a little ball and stuff them in a drawer. ---
**Author:** ![WSLer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a6a055/32.png) [@WSLer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WSLer)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925/141 "2002-09-25T21:22:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Stinkpalm \* > \*\* > > These 2 stories aren’t even in the same ballpark. There is a big difference between confronting a customer on a one on one basis (very believable) and jumping on an intercom at a major retailer, that is full of customers, and belting out some insults and having everyone in the store on your side like in some sort of John Hughes movie. And kept his job to boot. I’m suprised he didn’t throw in something about getting a promotion over the popular jock in the music dept. > > I’m sorry. This just did NOT happen. There is nothing that can be said that can sway my belief. And, IMHO, anyone that says that this happened as described is either REALLY gullible or “wishes” it happened just like WSLer wishes it did. > > \*\* If I **wished** anything, it would be that the whole incident never took place. But it did. As I stated before, if you like, stinkpalm, I can give you the names of 6 former co-workers who were present and were witnesses to the incident. But you seem to think that I have some desperate insatiable need for attention, therefore I go about completely making up stories about rude customers, simply so I that can seem _cool_ in some peoples eyes. Oh Please. Oh, I wasn’t belting out insults. Belting out=songs. Screaming out=insults. Got it? Where did I ever say that **everyone in the store was on my side?** Wait, you must have _assumed_ that since I said that the store got very suiet that everyone agreed with me. Did everyone in the store agree with what I was doing? Fuck if I know. I sure as hell didn’t go around asking them. Oh, yeah, we didn’t have **any** jocks popular or otherwise who worked in the music department. And the only person over me in the music department was the manager. So, why not go back to being bitter about something else, like the continual lack of a cure for the common asshole. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-line-is-too-long-another-fun-tale-of-customer-stupidity/128925.md?page=8)