Why is everyone so mad?
If you’re not…great! Have a super day!
However, I’m hearing more and more stories from friends and family about the frustrations they run into every day. I must have heard it several times over the past week:
“I just can’t take people anymore!”
“I love my job but I can’t take the people!”
My daughter told me a story yesterday about going into a Starbucks to pick up her mobile order. In case you’re not familiar with mobile orders, she ordered her coffee with the app on her phone and just had to go in to the store and pick it up. Should be a quick in and out right? Well….you would think so.
It turns out there was a man in front of her who was yelling at the Baristas because, he said, they screwed up his order. He wanted a large but it turns out that wasn’t what he ordered on the app. The women simply filled the order as it was received but it wasn’t what he wanted. It was what he ordered but not what he wanted.
Now I’m sure this could have been handled easily and quietly if he just discussed it with them but NO! This is 2022 where, apparently, if you don’t get what you want when you want it, you EXPLODE!
He proceeded to call them “stupid bi…..”(rhymes with witches) and they couldn’t even make a coffee without “fu….(rhymes with bucking) that up!”
At this point, one of the women at the counter looks to my daughter – who is next in line – and says, “Hi! How can I help you?” That only provoked the jerk – I mean the guy – to say, “Don’t you be talking to this slu…(Rhymes with mutt) I was here first.”
I’m happy to say that I’m proud that my daughter spoke up in defense of the baristas. Yes, I was also a bit concerned for her safety, but she did tell the guy how rude he was and that the women in the shop did not deserve to be treated that way.
Did he see the error of his ways? Uhhhh—- no. It was at that point that he threatened to knock to coffee right out of my daughter’s hands if she said one more thing. Thankfully that prompted another patron in the Starbucks – a rather tall, muscular fellow- to stand up and say, “If you even touch that lady’s coffee that will be the last thing you do today.”
And this was all on a quiet Saturday afternoon!
I also read a story this week about a restaurant in Michigan that closed and posted a note that said, “Due to the mistreatment of our Servers our kitchen is closed.”
The General Manager of the East Bay Tavern said it happened during a yearly festival when the restaurant is always busy. However, after coming downstairs and seeing one of her servers crying over what was going on she said, “People needed to be aware of their actions and how they impact others.”
Now I know there are plenty of things to be upset about right now. Some people don’t like the heat and there seems to be no end in sight, except for maybe winter. The price of gas is still high, groceries are crazy and, well I can probably say the cost of everything is up. Add that to the political atmosphere and the unknown of the future and, yes, the snapping point doesn’t seem that far away.
It just seems like we take it out on the wrong people. If you’re upset about the cost of your groceries I’m pretty sure the cashier has no control over that. He/she probably makes minimum wage and has no decision-making power when it comes to pricing. They’re paying the same high prices you are.
Staffing is such an issue that when you go out to eat, chances are your server has more tables to take care of than usual. And, no, I’m not saying that’s your problem but it is obviously their problem so maybe we could be more understanding.
And here’s a thought… if you go to pick up your coffee and it’s not what you wanted, double-check to see what you ordered. Then maybe admit you made a mistake and politely ask if they could remake it. You know what? It just might work and nobody has to get offended.
Seriously, that guy obviously had more going on in his life besides his coffee order. Next time, what do you say you don’t bring that baggage into the coffee shop?
Catch up on other Sunday Columns by clicking here.
Leave a Reply