how to deal with the ignorance of customers?

people suck. what can you do. i like to remind people that when they were kids, they did things that their elders didn't like, such as shaking their hips to elvis or doing the twist with the 'colored' kids.

the bottom line is that there is nothing you can do about it.

maybe look up a bible verse about being judgemental. most old people are christians. maybe she would respond to that?

are you a vendor? was the lady your customer or your customer's customer. you can't mess with your customer's customers, but, you can walk off the floor and have a soda break.

i also like the idea of spitting on her.

fortunately, these people are getting older and older

What a *****! You handled that way better than I could have, and since when does having facial piercings make you any less of a woman? I hate that there are people that ignorant in this world but the sad truth is there are. I've had similar yet not nearly as dramatic instances at my job. One customer asked if I had a Satanic ritual to attend later just because I was wearing dark fingernail polish (purplish black). I told him I actually had a few goats to sacrifice but that was it. He then told me I needed to get to a church as soon as possible (not in a joking tone). I didn't realize that the color of my nails signifies my religion. I've also gotten the stupid comments about regretting piercings and "why would you do that?" type deal.

Enough of my own ranting I guess I'm just saying I totally see where you're coming from and I think you responded as an adult, unlike your customer. Next time I would totally threaten to get security if the harassment continues because that is exactly what she was doing, harassing you...and everyone else has made valid points.

It sounds like you make deliveries to various stores and this was a customer who was in the store when you entered. All you can do is to be polite. This woman is a customer of the store and you can't do anything that would lose them business. However, once you had expressed yourself - and it was clear that you did it completely and nicely, you could have excused yourself and gone into the manager's office to get away from her.

There are religious people who feel that piercings and tattoos are defiling God's work. There are people who shudder when they see piercings, especially of the septum. There are fanatics and lonely people. You can't just shut them up.

Next time, consider answering with a very short answer - not trying to explain or excuse yourself or give reasons. Then say you are sorry, but you have to get back to work. Then say sorry a couple of times if the person persists, then don't respond. If it gets too bad, see the manager or hide out for a bit. I know you want to educate the world but can't always do that.

For general questions and judgments, I would ask the person in a nice tone why it matters them so much. They probably won't have a real answer, because really, why do they care?

But the lady you described was just plain rude and nasty, and I would not feel the need to be nice after the conversation turns that corner. You did the right thing by ignoring her. Some people are just too ignorant to be reasoned with, and arguing will only make you more upset. Just tell the person they are being disrespectful and end the conversation. Customer service, as far as I am concerned, does not extend to allowing yourself to be insulted or humiliated by anyone.

My opinion is that you were more of a "woman" than she by explaining yourself and when that didn't work, simply refusing to respond. Some people just can't comprehend the idea that other people think differently than them, they simply think that their ideas are right, and all others are wrong, much like a lot of the traditional establishments of many societies. My advice is to stick to your guns, and don't over-explain yourself, if a simple explanation isn't good enough, I'm sure that a long winded in depth one will not do the job either. Just politely inform them that it's a decision that you've made and are very happy and comfortable with, if they can't understand that, then you don't know what else to say. Hope these words help you out, it's nice to know that there are still people out there who are true to themselves, even if other people don't get it.

People who work with the public can't relax their control of the conversation for even a heartbeat. Never let the talk stray away from the business at hand. You are lost if you hesitate to interrupt "topic drift" with a polite but no-nonsense "Let's talk about your account" or "Have you decided about ___ yet" or otherwise making it clear that there will be no personal chat. In the case you describe, I might have approached this woman's superiors or co-workers and expressed concern that she was "unwell" and asked them to "help" the woman so that I could complete my tasks.

Sometimes it's just best to take the low road. Perhaps next time you should whisper something completely insulting in their ear (ie mention the saggy nature of her breasts, or how her roots are awfully purple). That may make you feel better in the long run.

I bartended in a crowded pub for a couple years. One particular night, there was a troublesome customer who subsequently made one of my waitresses cry (was beyond rude to her). I came up with an idea!

I told my waitress to go back and offer the lady a free drink, but to tell her that the bartender was a little busy so it might take ten minutes or so.

I then stuck a straw down the back of my pants (keep in mind the place was slammed and I was working up a sweat) for around ten minutes. When I felt it was good and seasoned, I made her a tasty rum and coke. She loved it and tipped my waitress ten dollars later that night!

Wow-you did really well to control yourself with this situation. I'd worked in retail for over 15 years and had some pretty abusive customers myself. Your story rates up there pretty high with some of the worst I'd ever had. Anyway-she was sooo out of line to call you "stupid, heathen, etc." and then to follow you around. In my earlier years of retail I just ignored such things or called a supervisor. In later years I realized it was harassment pure and simple. I still wouldn't get into it with her personally but would get a supervisor involved-when you start throwing around the "harassment" word, bosses get nervous and take action pretty fast. Again, I can't say it enough-you did really good to put up with this terrible person. If you're up to it next time get a supervisor involved and throw that "harassment" word around. If not for your own good, it might help someone else later next time this terrible person goes out in public.

i would just tell her if it bothers her so much than she can leave. I mean you cant really do anything else if you are at work. You can tell her you did not get the piercings for her to look at and that a "real woman" does not follow people around trying to pick on their looks. A "real woman" woman would kindly keep her comments to herself and she is the one who needs to stop acting like the heathen and grow up a little.

I would say to not begin the banter about your piercings at all. "I'm sorry, this is a personal choice, approved by my company's dress code, and I don't choose to discuss it". Or some such other wording that your boss would approve.

You hopefully realize that you got a nut-case and most people would respect your boundaries better than she. This is a valuable lesson, so don't feel badly. On a whole other level, let this teach you how controlling and manipulative women can be if you allow them into your personal "space". Frankly, this woman probably gets away from inappropriate comments in all areas of her life when if the average person loudly told her to "sit on it and spin", she'd be mortified and stop getting away with being such a bit*ch. Good luck, dear.