'She runs this department': Karen customer demands to talk to a male staff member, manager makes her wait

Author image for Brad Dickson
Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Jul 12, 2023 9:00 AM EDT

Don't judge a book by its cover. In fact, don't judge a book at all—especially if you've never seen a book before and don't really understand what a book is. Sure, you've seen rectangular-shaped objects in the past, but if your single-celled existence hasn't even begun to understand what the term "reading comprehension" means, then you have no business giving us reviews on books.

That's essentially what this Karen was doing when she demanded to speak to a man about her paint, having reached the bewildering conclusion that women know nothing about it. Honestly, hard to say where that one comes from—who decided women know nothing about paint? Of all the presumptuous gender normative stereotypes out there, that's not one I've heard before. This coming from a man who couldn't tell you a single thing about painting… other than it comes in different colors and never comes off your clothes once it's on there. 

Luckily, the manager managed to put Karen in her place by maliciously complying with her demand that a male worker help her, making Karen wait until the manager's subordinate clocked on for his shift. Karen then got the shock of her life when the worker turned to his manager to ask for her advice anyways. Hard to say what happens next; we doubt that Karen has absorbed any actual lesson… 

Read on for this story of malicious compliance, as originally shared on the Reddit community of the same name by u/MoonLover10792. Next, see this Karen customer who drove a barista to quit their job.

 

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  • 01
    Font - HUSO HUST "You want a man to help you? No problem! One will clock in soon. BE SO SO S TAT WAS HA PE When I was about 20 years old, I was a department manager in a big box hardware store. People said I acted 25, but I didn't even look 18. As a young female, I saw my fair amount of sexual discrimination, but the worst always came from women. This is the story of one such woman. I managed the paint department. I had three associates who worked for me. They loved me as a boss because I bought
    via Story: u/MoonLover10792

    Image: Oxana Melis

  • 02
    Font - One day I was in the department alone and a lady came up and asked me where she could find the five gallon oil based primer. I let her know that my location didn't carry the five gallon size of that primer. She told me that we did and said that it was shelved "right there" while suggesting I was too stupid to remember. (Her husband gave me an apologetic look.) I let her know that another location had what she was looking for and that it was in fact in that exact location in that store. Sh
    via u/MoonLover10792
  • 03
    Font - thinking she could mix up stores. Then, she began yelling and loudly insisting that I get a MAN out there to help her because she wanted someone competent and not a stupid little girl. Her husband actually tried to step in at that point but I just smiled and let her know that a male paint associate would be clocking in any minute and that I would be happy to direct him to her as soon as he is on the clock.
    via u/MoonLover10792
  • 04
    Font - I smiled and waited for Joe to clock in. Joe was great and I knew he could handle this or I wouldn't have put him in this situation, but Joe was also new. He was learning things super quick, but still relied on the rest of us for help. When I saw Joe walking up, I quickly said that there was a customer who needed help. I let him know that she was upset and asked him to do his best to answer her questions.
    via u/MoonLover10792
  • 05
    Font - Joe walked up to the lady. She said, "Finally, a man!" She asked her question, explained where the product SHOULD BE, and waited. Joe calmly let her know that he had never seen us carry five gallon size of oil based primer, but said he could check with the paint department manager. She was happy and loudly said she was happy to be getting some REAL help.
    via u/MoonLover10792
  • 06
    Font - Joe walked up to me and started to ask me about five gallon oil based primers. The lady quickly walked up and asked him what he was doing. He turned and said, "This is my manager. She runs this department." The husband laughed out loud, the woman stormed off, and I bought Joe lunch!
    via u/MoonLover10792
  • 07
    Font - catchmeeifyoucan I had a really similar experience, I worked in a large appliance store and an older woman came in to buy a washing machine. I was in my early 20s and looked very young. Anyway, I went up to help her and she stated she would like a man to help her please. I said ok, and went to get one of my male colleagues (I told him she had requested a man). The whole way
    via u/MoonLover10792
  • 08
    Font - through the sale when she asked a question he'd say, hang on, let me just check with the expert and come and chat with me for a moment. He knew very well what the answer was, in fact he had trained me, but he was a golden soul. 46.1k 6.1k Reply Share
    via u/MoonLover10792
  • 09
    Font - cocoash7 Same thing always happened to me (F) working in sporting goods department of a certain blue big store chain. My male coworkers recognized it and always had a fun time with it. When they asked me to get a MAN to help them with a gun my coworkers always made a point to ask me the question after they were asked before responding to the customer even though they knew the answer to the question. I had some awesome coworkers that had my back. 2.7k Reply Share
    via u/MoonLover10792
  • 10
    Font - harrywwc that. was. AWESOME! brilliant work :) and good for you spotting Joe's lunch as a reward :) ↑ 5.0k Reply Share
    via u/MoonLover10792
  • 11
    Font - Odd-Astronaut-92 I loved it when I was working and people refused my help because I'm a woman! I worked at GameStop. Anytime they'd demand my store manager I would go get her with glee. She was a 50+ year old woman who didn't even really play games, which meant that not only did they have to deal with a different woman, they were losing my 20+ years gaming experience. 1.7k Reply Share
    via u/MoonLover10792
  • 12
    Font - [deleted] I always assume when going into the hardware store that if I need help I need to look for a woman working. My grandpa (a woodworker) taught me that that's who you go to if it's an option. That's how you get the right answer that isn't prideful. Now that I've grown up a little I recognize how rare that advice is, especially coming from a 70 year old. 269 Reply Share ●●●
    via u/MoonLover10792

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customer service customers karen retail workplace karens malicious compliance subreddit retail worker karen-customer talesfromretail workplace-story malicious-compliance-reddit tales-from-the-workplace
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