(I am at one of the garden registers, not actually checking people out, but trying to fix a broken scan gun. As I’m working on it, one of my coworkers calls in through the radio.)
Coworker: “Hey, [My Name]?”
Me: “Yeah?”
Coworker: “Look; I hate to bother you, but I’m up here by myself.”
(At this point a customer walks over. I smile at her and mouth that I’m not checking out, but she’s on her phone and doesn’t seem to be paying attention to me. I assume she’s still shopping, since she isn’t quite to the register and sort of hovering a few feet back.)
Me: “Okay, so what’s up? Are you backed up?”
Coworker: “No, but there’s this creepy, old guy around and he’s come up here to flirt with me a few times, and I’m pretty sure he followed me through the store, too. It’s making me seriously uncomfortable.”
Me: “Oh! Okay, I’ll be right back in! No problem.”
(I leave the register, and as I make to walk away, the customer on her phone stops me.)
Customer: “Wait! Aren’t you going to check me out before you go?”
Me: “Well, actually, ma’am, I’m not checking anyone out, and I have to get back inside.”
Customer: “What? For that cashier? Well, why don’t you tell her that she needs to put the customer first! The nerve of her, thinking she can just have people—”
(Meanwhile, a man, Customer #2, in line hears the woman.)
Customer #2: “For God’s sake, just go in front of me!”
Customer: “What? That’s not the point! It’s the principle of it!”
Customer #2: “The principle of it? Are you seriously telling me that you are more concerned with spending five extra minutes in line than you are a young woman being harassed by some strange man?”
Customer: “Well, I’m sure she did something to make him do that!”
Customer #2: *to me* “Go help your cashier. I’ll take care of this.”
Customer: “Take care of it? Who do you think you are? You know what? I am never shopping here again! And I’m calling corporate!”
Customer #2: “Good to know. I’m sure you’ve made everyone’s day. And by the way? I’m the owner. Have fun calling corporate.”
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