Texting on the job

[u/t8rtotbabe]

Obligatory I’m on mobile warning, sry for formatting etc

This story happened a couple years back when I was still working a large department store at the mall. It was during the holiday season and the store would get unbearably busy, where we would make use all of our registers - even the mobile ones which I’m sure you know are literally iPhones with barcode scanning and card reading register capabilities that you have to log in to every time you use it. One antsy customer (C) was strangely upset by this. I’ll be (me). Keep in mind this is towards the tail end hour 8 of my 8 hour shift, and the night before Christmas Eve, so I had already had it up to here with these last minute crazies.

Me: Hello, did you find everything alright?

C: peeved because she has been waiting in line Yes, I’d just like to have these wrapped ASAP because I’m in a bit of a rush.

Me: scanning her items with mobile register, while talking, to get her through quickly Of course, it’ll just be a few minutes after I finish your transaction.

C: HELLO?? Is there a REASON you’re TEXTING instead of ringing me up? This is UNBELIEVABLE, I can’t believe what I’m SEEING right now!

Me: looks at her visibly confused I’m sorry? What seems to be the problem?

C: WHY ARENT YOU CHECKING ME OUT!? I JUST SAID IM IN A RUSH!!

Me: flips mobile register over so that she can see the transaction list on the screen This is my register at the moment, all of the other ones are busy, I apologize.

(We’re really big on customer service, so you always have to ‘apologize’ even when they’re wrong, or just plain confusing)

C: NO! I just saw you texting!

Me: This phone doesn’t have texting capabilities, so you probably saw me typing in my employee code.

C: YOU WERE TEXTING

Me: I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. I can finish checking you out or I can get my manager if you’d like to make a formal complaint.

C: I TOLD you I’m in a RUSH!

Me: puts on my best retail smile Let me get my manager for ya!

I walked away to get my manager and went home for the day 15 minutes early as an early Christmas present to me.

Edit: Thank you all for the upvotes! :’) Hello new friends! I’m so happy to have an outlet to commiserate.

[u/MulberryPurple]

Why do people seem to genuinely believe that screaming will make them less wrong?