I was treated rudely in an EXTREME way today!?

Question

I work at an EXTREMELY fashionable clothing store at the mall. Anyways this woman called me a space cadet and said I wasn't paying attention when she was asking me questions but thought I was just checking out boys. I said "whatever", so she told my manager, who took in the back room and SCREAMED at me and told me I had better not ever say "whatever" to a customer again. I am EXTREMELY upset, so upset that I cancelled plans with my boyfriend, and as a result he is now EXTREMELY unable to concentrate. What can I do about this EXTREMELY rude treatment??? I am 16 and this is my first job and I want to just do well. Thank you and good day.

It is EXTREMELY important that I do not get fired because I am trying to prove to my daddy that I can handle a job and he would be EXTREMELY disappointed if I got fired, I mean EXTREMELY disappointed. Thank you and good day.

These were some EXTREMELY good answers: DrPhilamina, CoolDad, EliStar, Gussie, Silvery Sky, Herbie, and of course Emawee.

There may have been others,

Thank you and good day

Also Shuggarmomma and Mommy. I liked that DrPhilaminy says "daddy" too

Thank you and good day

Answer 1

Welcome to customer service. You're going to have to grow a thicker skin and not let jerks like that bother you. It is your job to be polite even if they are not. People unfairly take out the frustrations of their own day on the people they think have to take it: the grocery checker, the sales clerk, the pizza delivery guy.

Diffusing the situation sometimes helps. In that same situation, you might respond, "I believe you were asking about (blank), did I understand your question correctly?"

However, if someone is verbally abusive, you can refer them directly to your supervisor and explain that you will not be talked to in that fashion.

Have a chat with your supervisor and let her know that you were caught off guard by the woman's rudeness and you won't let it happen again. You don't need to over apologize, just demonstrate by your actions that you learned something and are moving past it.

Sorry you had such a bad day, try to let it roll off you next time.

Answer 2

okay im not trying to sound rude but saying whatever to an adult or any customer is rude and a big no no in any job. The customer is always right no matter what. Instead of saying whatever to the customer you should have apologized for it seeming like you wherent paying attention and then done you best to assist the customer with her shopping needs. To fix your problem with you boss you need to go in and apologize for being rude and disrespectable to a customer (even if you feel you wherent bc in your bosses eyes you where and there is no changing that opinion) and promise not to do it again. Also let your boss know in a very kind and humble way that you are still young and still learning and that you wish in the future if you make anymore mistakes could he plz not yell at you as it hurts your feelings but plz point out what you did wrong and maybe give you help or knowledge on how to fix the problem. If your boss is a mature adult he will find this very grown up and mature of you and will want to teach you more instead of treat you like dog crap. If he isnt then well you only choices are to suck it up or find a new job.

Answer 3

Saying "whatever" to a customer makes about as much sense as yelling at an employee for a mistake.

However, a lesson for future customer service situations is when you're dealing with a customer that's totally off the wall, act as if you understand them completely. Doesn't matter what they're saying. Act as if you totally agree and you don't know what came over you.

Only time to not take this strategy is if the customer is yelling and screaming. At that point, it's not customer service anymore because you don't really want that person as a customer. At that point, settle the situation as painlessly as possible and move on.

Answer 4

Take an EXTREMELY deep breath and learn your first lesson of retail: The customer is always right. You may love your boss, and they may love you, but when it comes to a pissed off customer who may never drop a dollar in their store again, that boss will drop you like a hot potato and hire one of a bazillion other kids out there looking for a job. I know, it sucks. Because some customers CAN be absolute jerks and ruin your day, for no other reason than control. But if you want to keep your job and advance, you have to play the game. Tell your boss you thought it over, they're right, you are sorry, and you'll try to be more respectful in the future. I know, that doesn't taste too good does it? Try to have a sense of humor about it if you can, and wash it down with a nice cold alcoholic beverage, LOL!

Answer 5

Hi. In any place that you work you don't say whatever to the customer. You can get caned if you do. But luckily you didn't. I work at Ann Taylor Loft. If I'm out working on the floor you have to have a smile on your face great the person " Hi how are you today" or if there was some sort of sale that was going you say " Did you hear about our ......sale that is going on?" and say " Is there something that I can help you with?" or "Would you like me to start a room for you?" questions like that. All I know is that any store doesn't want employee's to be rude. Saying "whatever" to a customer is being rude. You have to be nice all of the time even if you don't want to be. But to call off your date with your boyfriend that wasn't bright to do. If I was really upset I would of wanted to see him and have him cheer me up.

Answer 6

ok, first off, all customers think that they are right and they're not because they do not know jack ****. that one customer that ruins your day probably has a miserable life and don't get any when she gets home cause she's such a *****. She's a crotch, blow it off, ok. Next time, you're caught not paying attention, don't get defensive, just say you're sorry, and that you were looking at that cute shirt or were thinking of a good combination to put on the manequin. Just lie through your teeth, then come here and complain about it. got it. Customers always piss me off, and it'll ruin my entire day too, just know that alot of people deal with bitches all over the US. I had a customer yell at me yesterday, and I wrote her name and phone number for the day I quit, just so I can let her know how her behavior affected ME that day.( And some swearing)

Answer 7

Hey Lori i understand and i think your boss is right, well you are right too because this is your first job so that kind of stuff happen sometimes, it is normal, by the other hand, you can´t say whatever all the time, you need to get some experience... you will learn soon.

I am sorry you had such a bad day,,, just try to think about good thing and forget this EXTREMELY bad day
Thank you and good day.

Answer 8

The customer is always right (even if you privately think she is wrong), you smile and apologize, or else you will never hold down a job. Throughout life, there are bosses, customers, co-workers and others who you want to scream at, but real life doesn't work like that. It's unfortunate, but a fact of life. I think my boss is an imbecile, but if I ever told him that, I would lose my job, and I like my job otherwise. Sometimes you have to put up with B.S. There is no perfect job.

Answer 9

You are still young and these things are going to happen. The thing to remember is always treat the customer as if they are right, even if they are being EXTREMELY rude. You should never bring your work home with you. Hanging out with your man was probably the best thing for you. Just go back to work and pretend like it never happened. And if your boss says anything else about it just apologize and keep doing your job

Answer 10

It is extremely difficult to work with the public.Some people do not know there is a difference between service and servitude.However you cannot show attitude to your customers no matter how difficult or rude they may be.I will assume you did say "whatever" and the customer was offended.Keep in mind if you turn away customers you will not keep this job.try your best to treat your customers how you want to be treated when you shop.Take care.

Answer 11

if you want to prove to your dad that you can handle this job then don't worry about it. this is what happens when you work. the customer is always right even if you don't agree or if they are wrong. if your manager screamed at you that is very unfortanuate but these things happen in the real world. just don't worry about it. some people can't control themselves. if i were you i would tell your manager that you didn't appreciate him yelling at you and apologize for what you said and that it won't happen again. good luck.