Have you ever encountered an entitled parent who demanded something unreasonable?
Sometimes, even the simplest things can escalate quickly when someone feels entitled to a service or product they are not entitled to.
In this story, John found himself in the middle of a conflict during the World Cup season.
A Sales Store Story
John was working at a sales store that supplied TV plans, WiFi plans, and phone plans.
During the world cup season when there were many games on, they would put them on their shop TV to demonstrate the TV service and entertain the kids of customers inquiring about services or signing up.
They didn’t offer services for people to just come and stand around to watch as the shop didn’t have the insurance for if anything were to happen to them.
World Cup Season Had Arrived
One day, during the World Cup season, John and his coworkers put on a match on the TV. John didn’t know who was playing except for Poland.
They noticed that people passing by would glance at the score or take a look while in the shop for a phone or to check if they had a certain accessory.
But the peace was soon interrupted by a man and his child.
He Was Here for a Freebie
The man, Freddie, parked his child and shopping cart near the TV and gave him snacks and drinks before leaning on the cart.
John and his coworker approached him and asked if he needed anything.
Freddie responded, “No. Just watching the match. Our home play.”
It Wasn’t Allowed
John apologized but explained that they weren’t able to let him stand there and watch it due to insurance purposes.
His coworker also clarified that the TV was for demonstration only and that they put the match on as they were required to by the company.
But This Man Wasn’t Going to Move
Freddie, however, insisted that he wanted to watch for free and argued that he was free to do so.
John’s coworker politely explained that he couldn’t stay there and told him there were places that were insured for people just wanting to sit about and watch.
He Wouldn’t Take No for an Answer
Freddie wouldn’t take no for an answer and continued to push his demands.
“Let me watch with the child. My son wants to see the men play,” he said.
They Tried to Explain, but He Was Getting Angry
John and his coworker had already explained that it was not possible, but Freddie wasn’t backing down.
“My son wants to watch. He gets what he wants,” he said.
They Wanted Him Out
At this point, John and his coworker turned off the TV and asked him to leave, warning him that he would call security if he didn’t comply.
But instead of leaving peacefully, Freddie erupted in a fit of rage!
His Rude Outburst
“You are useless jerks! Burn in hell! My son’s day is ruined! He will never be happy again!” he yelled.
So Much Drama Over Something So Trivial!
At this point, he grabbed his child and stormed out of the store.
All the drama had been over something as trivial as not being able to stand and watch a game that he could easily watch at a bar or a friend’s house.
John and his coworkers were left to pick up the pieces of the disruption caused by the entitled parent.
He Was Frustrated
As John reflected on the incident, he couldn’t help but feel frustrated at how some people felt entitled to something just because they wanted it.
There Were Limits to His Patience
He understood that it was important to be empathetic and kind to customers, but he also knew that there were limits to what they could do.
It was his job to uphold the rules and regulations of the store, and he couldn’t compromise on that just because someone demanded something.
He’d Learned a Lesson
In the end, John learned an important lesson from the encounter.
He realized that he needed to be firm but fair with customers and that he couldn’t let his desire to please them cloud his judgment.
Retail Is Hard Work
He realized that it was an unfortunate consequence of working in retail – you encounter all sorts of people with different personalities and attitudes!
However, he also felt proud that he and his coworker stood his ground and upheld the store’s policies, even in the face of verbal abuse.
A Dramatic Tale
John wondered if he would ever encounter Freddie again, or if this was the last he would see of him.
Either way, John knew that he would always stand up for what he believed in and never compromise his values.
Redditors found his story funny. One user said, “Wow, dramatic much….”
Have you ever encountered an entitled parent or difficult customer? How did you handle the situation?
More From Career Step Up
A Reddit user recently revealed the elaborate means their best friend went to to get her own back on a cheating partner.
He Was Having an Affair But She Found Out, and So She Came Up With a Brilliant Plan For Revenge
He Was Laid Off By His Boss Just Before Christmas, But When He Gets Even, His Boss Has A Melt-Down
A recent thread on Reddit’s Petty Revenge subreddit saw a man get revenge on his employer by exposing his unfair wage practices when he laid him off right before Christmas.
He Was Laid Off By His Boss Just Before Christmas, But When He Gets Even, His Boss Has A Melt-Down
His Boss Lied To Him About A Promotion For Over Two Years, So He Hatched A Brilliant Plan
This guy’s tale of malicious compliance went viral! He posted on Reddit and told how he eventually got revenge on his boss, who had led him on about a promotion for over two years. Buckle up because this is a great tale!
His Boss Lied To Him About A Promotion For Over Two Years, So He Hatched A Brilliant Plan
Office Romance: She’s Definitely Flirting With You If These Things Happen
Office romances can be tricky, but sometimes it’s hard to tell if a colleague is actually interested in you or just being friendly. However, certain signs can indicate if someone is flirting with you.
Office Romance: She’s Definitely Flirting With You If These Things Happen
30 Gaslighting Phrases to Look Out For in The Workplace
Gaslighting is a type of manipulation where someone gives fake or incorrect information to make them doubt their memory, perception, and mental capacity or sanity.
Perpetrators of gaslighting can also use it as a tactic to control or exploit another person. Here are 30 phrases to look out for in the workplace.
30 Gaslighting Phrases to Look Out For in The Workplace
The post A Parent Tried Using His Kid as an Excuse for Standing Around and Watching Their Display Tvs, Then Almost Got Physical When They Told Him to Get Out! first appeared on Career Step Up.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Roman Samborskyi. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
Source: Reddit