An Open Letter to the Rude Lady at the Grocery Store

Dear Lady (although I hesitate to call you that after how you behaved this morning):

First off, let me introduce myself. I'm someone who has been shopping at this DC area store since we moved into this area over a year ago, and I was shopping there this morning right along side you. I am fully aware that this store went through a massive renovation that ended about a year ago, and as a result the store is now a nice clean place to shop. Also, I'm fully aware that there are lots of folks in the service industry here in the DC area that aren't interested in being pleasant when they help you, but that's not the case at this particular store. Aside from the occasional employee having a bad day, the employees at this store are generally nice, friendly, and are willing to take a minute to help you out. 

I understand that they are starting another renovation and it might be a bit inconvenient for a short while - the RiteAid in the same plaza closed and there's a need for a pharmacy now. That doesn't mean you have the right to go around hollering at random people in the store. When you stopped and griped at me you really caught me off guard because other customers don't stop me to discuss the grocery store let alone gripe at me. 

I understand that there are an extra fifty people or so in the store and it was a bit tight getting in and out of some of the aisles - they are moving and maintaining the stock in such a manner that customers can still shop while they complete this renovation. Every single person I talked to (and I had to talk to quite a few to find the stuff I needed) stopped what they were doing and walked me over to where the products were.

I understand that everything is in a different spot and not everything is labeled properly and this forces you to ask where things are - it has to be done one way or another. Well, things change. I'm pretty sure it isn't the first time you've experienced this and it probably won't be the last. They were moving most signs as they moved the products, so peeking at the overhead signs would have gotten you to the right aisle without having to even speak to anyone.

I understand that it took you an extra five minutes to navigate the grocery store. Again, no reason to yell at the employees about this. It's not their fault that the other pharmacy closed and that Safeway decided to offer those services to the local community. It's not the employees' decision to leave the store open while they do the renovation so that the rest of us can shop.

Where on earth do you get off walking through the store griping at every person you see - employees and customers? If you are truly unhappy with this store, go somewhere else. There are three other grocery stores within FIVE MINUTES of this store. I know that you drove because you pulled up when I did, so hop right back in your car and visit one of those stores.

You need to learn what your limits are. Not everyone is happy shopping at a store that's under renovation, and I certainly don't expect them to be. But geez lady, a little common decency is in order here. It's bad when the temporary employees that are there to move things around are talking about you because you complained or yelled at not one, but THREE of them. But what's even worse is that you chose to treat people just like you very poorly. Yelling at others is something that we tell our children not do, so maybe you can take a lesson from the kids.

Sincerely, Suzie

Original DC Metro Moms Post. While she isn't stalking rude people at the grocery store, Suzie shares more pleasant things at Confessions of a Not So Well Behaved Woman.