I have no idea why customers think it's going to hurt employees to say, "You just lost a customer, I'm never coming back". We're just here to do our jobs, and if you're not a fan of the store, it's too bad. What's the meanest thing a customer has said to you?

Customers sometimes act like we own the brand. The worst for me is when they get personal. Comments about appearance, intelligence, or start sentence with “people like you”. UGH. Gets on my nerves.

I once had a customer tell me I didn't know how to read. And this was after I just read to him our return policy. I don't know why, but it just struck me funny at the time and I never forgot it.

“You just lost a customer” always sounds like it is supposed to be devastating, but most of the time it just rolls off because you know it will not matter tomorrow. The hardest ones are when someone makes it personal instead of just being frustrated with the situation. That is the part that sticks longer than the job itself.

From my perspective, why do you take it personal?? If the customer/client is that rude or obnoxious…refer them directly to the manager. If the manager isn’t available, give them a corporate headquarters phone number, so they can elevate their complaint. If you did your due diligence to help them out, then you have nothing to worry about…
People will always complain about something; customer service isn’t an exact science. If you give in to their emotions, then you deserve everything you get.
Don’t give in to the emotions…if someone says something about “your mother”, you then get mad…your retaliation means that whatever was said about your mother must be true. Right?? Don’t play their stupid game.

My take:
We are cashiers & customer service reps. We oblige the public as; a best friend, an extension of their family, or an analyst within about two or three minutes time (for free).
We are here to help you through your shopping experience pleasantly, respectfully, and in a TIMELY manner.
So Please, don’t complain that we are rude or condescending because we just smile & nod, and don’t give you licensed, professional answers.

I am always kind, as that is a reflection of my character. Being rude is a reflection, of their character, plus I don’t know what they are going through. I love that my company loves the customer. Kindness becomes a habit and also becomes a great blessing, to you.

A few years ago in retail, I had an angry drunk lady upset because she could not remember her card PIN number. She blamed me for that and said "I can do your job better than you".
I gently and politely told her "That's great. I can give you an application form if you want". She got more angry and demanded the manager fire me for saying that. Manager said they would talk to me. Unhappy customer then demanded to speak to the Manager's superior to punish them for not firing me... Finally fixed by giving them a phone number to the Manager's Manager
(someone in the back office) who promised to deal with us all.
I still laugh when I think about this incident.

How about “why are you so stupid. You can twist the rules to make this work for me”

Exactly ❤️ bc customers don't know how things work it's ignorance and arrogance daily just bc they spend 1$ they think their the gods of shopping....I just look at them the way they act ...it's like an incurable decease running wild when it comes to the customers