Dear Customer

Dear Female Customer who came to my register during yesterday morning's shift,

You must have had a rough morning, but you were hiding it well. For a while, anyway. I mean, what other reason did you have for flying off the handle at me?

We greeted you as you came in the door and started selecting a few items from the refrigerated case. You asked me a question about the cup of oatmeal which I explained we could add hot water to now or let you take it and make it elsewhere at your convenience.

You selected a boxed salad along with the oatmeal and asked me to make the oatmeal now as you came to my register. Smiling, I did so and cautioned you to be careful with the container since it was extremely hot. I finished your transaction and noticing your hands were full, I asked if you wanted a bag for you to take your items. When you said yes I opened the bag for you.

I don't know why you suddenly felt like you needed to rush to put everything in the bag; no one was asking you to step out of the way for another customer. We were definitely focused on you at the moment. Whatever the reason, you ended up dropping the oatmeal as you put it in the bag, swearing out loud when it spilled. I quickly said "I've got it" and grabbed the cup before it had completely emptied, and saved the salad while telling you to not put your hand in the bag so you wouldn't be burned. I'm sure you didn't realize that the oatmeal had splashed on me during this ordeal, right? That's okay. Better me than you; like I said, you must have had a rough morning already.

Imagine the surprise on my face when you immediately began to shout at me. I froze with your salad in one hand and the bag dripping with steaming oatmeal in the other as you said something like "you know, you could actually HELP your customers!" I was shocked. Did you really think I was not helping? Or were you simply lashing out at me because you were upset that you had a clumsy moment in public? Had you waited a few more seconds you would've had your replacement oatmeal in your hands. I stuttered a response ("that's what I'm trying to do...") and you very loudly demanded a new cup of oatmeal, AND a new salad. This time though, you decided to take the oatmeal uncooked.

I wonder, did it make you feel better to let your anger out at me? I'll bet it didn't. One of my coworkers asked you if you were okay while I was cleaning up the mess and he said it looked like you were going to cry. After being handed your new bag you turned your back to me as I wished you a good day. You didn't acknowledge me. But you probably just didn't hear me.