I work in retail, specifically a deli within a supermarket during Christmas, and it's been NUTS. Rude customers everywhere.
But we also we just had half the department jump ship and go on holidays leaving us slaughtered. I was one of the few foolish enough to remain despite being sick. And I had hoped that maybe they had appreciated my efforts…
Nope.
Today I come into my shift and greet my frantic co-workers. And I am immediately caught off-guard by some random hostile higher-up manager:
''What are you doing?…''
Me: Sorry, what did you say? (confused by the animosity)
''I said: What. Are. You. Doing?…''
At this point I felt like I had found myself in a trick question because I'm being forced to state the obvious and sound like a smartass: What does it look like I'm doing?… I'm working.
I didn't say this…
Instead, I looked at them with genuine confusion, and then glanced over at the customers in horror, and then back at the manager, as if to say ''Can't you see? There's literal customers right in front of me despite your clear implication that I'm not working…'' without actually having to verbally say it.
Anyway, they just stared at me. Like they wanted me to speak. So I just side-stepped around the issue and said ''Sorry, I'm really confused right now. Are you asking ME what I'm doing right now?…''
This was my attempt to force them into clarifying themselves and not hide behind the plausible deniability of their implication. I wanted them to own their statement explicitly before I clapped back.
Then they just said ''Haha, I was just curious to know what you were doing. That's all :)'' and then walked off.
Obviously, an intimidation tactic as they're a complete stranger to me, and I wasn't doing anything interesting that would make you wonder what I was doing. It was obvious they were insinuating they didn't think I was working and trying to call me out.
What would be some witty retorts to their question in future if it happens again?
24 comments
My favorite thing to say is just “my best”, bc how are they gonna retort, esp in front of customers lol
“Helping customers” is good enough.
Being witty might get you in trouble.
You did really well. Asking for clarification is a good move.
“working my way up the career ladder, can you share any tips?”
Let’s have a flippin’ conversation instead of serving the customer, and let said customer hear how ridiculous management is in hopes that said customer leaves a glory review online.
I’m not sure why you didn’t just say “I’m helping a customer.”
It’s hard to tell without being there, but it really sounds like you’re reading into this way too much and were just looking for a reason to get angry.
A little confused that you want a “witty” retort for next time after you said you didn’t want to sound like a “smartass”. As another comment said, I also think you handled it well in the first place. “Helping these customers” would also be cutting while also telling the truth.
Are you sure you’re not reading to much into this?
Just answer and tell them what you’re doing, works regardless of whether it was just a normal question or an intimidation tactic as you say
No witty retorts for a manager (unless you’re like me and want to think of a bazillion after the fact and let each play out in your head) next time use words not looks, it’s not going to leave a good impression with a boss if you don’t speak and with politeness. It’s just how the game is played with superiors.
“Appreciates my efforts” and ” intimidating tactics” step out to me for some reason as it reminds me of someone in my life that felt or thought this way from past traumas or whatever from back in the day.
Questions towards them they feel like it’s an intimidating threat or perceive it as some threat to the point they thought the person was wanting to control them in some way.
Have you got validation issues as well as someone from your family or whoever close to you from past or present that uses questions and flips it in a way to control, manipulate, use it against you etc?
I usually say, “I’m working, why? What are YOU doing?”
You might be over thinking this. They were probably just simply asking and were getting more stern about it bc they kept having to repeat themselves. Next time just say what you are doing and let you both go about your days lol.
“What we do best here. Taking care of customers.”
If you don’t care about keeping your job:
“Answering stupid questions.”
If you do want to keep my job:
“I’m assisting a customer. They were just saying they’re in a hurry.”
Not witty… but appropriate and disarming:
“Helping this fine person find the cheese they want for their holiday meal.” Might follow up with “is everything okay? Do you need me somewhere else?” This one offers a direct reply and addresses the present customer while also providing an offer of willingness to help or shift priorities… which a customer should be the first priority so they will probably then leave you alone.
Or I might be even more specific like “well, Sally here was asking my opinion on the Black Forest ham over the cured ham and I prefer the Smokey flavor of the Black Forest. What about you?” Or whatever thing is relevant to your situation. This one brings them into what you’re doing and usually they will leave you alone when invited into a customer interaction.
Both answers provoke them to be more aware of the situation they have interrupted and gently leave them to handle their own rude behavior at their own expense without putting you in a compromised situation.
If this person is new and a supervisor they are probably trying to get the hang of their job and feel more useful while also not having the experience that makes them aware of the environment they’re actually working in. You can train people, even your supervisors, by simply being direct and present in the environment.
Once you get more comfortable with them you might even ask them to help you with something. Maybe it’s not appropriate in your job so I leave it to you. But sometimes inviting people into a shared duty or just asking them to pass you something can help them connect more to the work and the people.
Sometimes people are assholes and just walk away but then you know what you’re dealing with. It still works to use these kinds of replies because they are simple, direct, and involve directing the attention at the customers needs rather than at your feelings about how or why you’re being asked an absurd question. Just imagine they’re blind and respond in detail, with kindness, and maybe a way to include them.
Nothing is absolute but good people will build rapport and you’ll earn their trust and respect when you respond this way.
Edited: a typo.
“I’m the one person who does their job. You must be the other guy.”
This sounds incredibly avoidable and as a manager I’d question your communication skills and emotional stability tbh
That was perfect. 👌
Huh? Just answer the question. No need for a witty retort or banter unless you have that kind of social relationship with them.
Helping out a customer at the moment. Did you need my help with something?
The only Answer: working. (Regardless of what you’re actually doing).
“I’m organizing bofa.”
“I’m auditing deez.”
“I’m restocking the ligma.”
Three options spring to mind
1. Be genuine. Tell them that you’ve just come on shift and you’re helping these great people.
1. Let them distract you and work out that they’re being inappropriate. Turn away from the customers and face them, giving them your full attention. “Hi, I’m GabrielaRobyn, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m serving on the meat counter right now. I don’t think we’ve met before. (Take off you gloves and offer your hand.) You’re? How’s it going?”
1. Scare them away. “Hi, in a sea of customers as you can see! I’m so glad you’re here to help. The gloves are here, can you take the right side of the counter?” They will *run*.
The word/mindset ”retort” is probably not good here overall. Life is not a sitcom.
Just be truthful and open