'Cue waterworks': State clerical worker used to getting bombarded by Karen clients finally reaches her wit's end first thing in the morning

Author image for Elna McHilderson
Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor
Feb 16, 2024 7:00 PM EST

Working in customer service already puts a beacon on you to attract all kinds of Karen and Kyle customers ready to through a tantrum. If you think working in hotels and restaurants provides the most Karen encounters, then you don't know about people who work in customer service for government programs… 

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  • Listen, we're not here trying to talk about the failures of our government programs. Because that will really set us off on a tangent. We're here to talk about the poor souls who are employees in these government programs. Programs like food stamps and unemployment benefits. Many of these employees get paid so poorly that they too have to use these programs. It's unfortunate, and to make it worse, they get the brunt of Karen customers. 

    Reddit user Outrageous_Fig_3105 is a clerical worker for state assistance programs. Her job is very necessary to help citizens who need some aid in getting back on their feet. It's understandable that if you're struggling, you might be a little grumpy. You're either at rock bottom or getting close to hitting it, so it's understandable that you're upset. But please don't try to force the blame on someone else, especially on someone who is trying to help you like this Reddit user. 

    This Redditor is used to handling the tantrums of her customers, but this particular morning she got to her wit's ends and her first customer of the day immediately set her off. At least she was able to save the waterworks to after the Karen customer left… 

    After reading about that downer Karen, it's time for a pick-me-up—read about how this L.A. tenant got herself and her neighbors several months of free rent! 

  • 01
    "Cue water works because I'm stressed with life and this job."
    via pxhere
  • 02
    A customer made me cry today I'm not a crier either. It was more angry crying than anything. I work for the state and I'm a clerical worker for state assistance programs like food stamps. I'm constantly yelled at and abused by customers angry over their food stamps. I understand these customers are angry at the situation and not me. But treating me like dirt won't help your situation. Here's how my first client interaction went today:
    via Outrageous_Fig_3105
  • 03
    "Amy I can help at window three." "Are you sure you can help me? Because you sure didn't help me last week." "I'm not sure what you mean mam. I didn't see you last week." "YES YOU DID." "I can see your records. Window one helped you last week."
    via Outrageous_Fig_3105
  • 04
    "Are you calling me stupid? I KNOW it was you." "It wasn't. But what can I do for you today?" "My case is messed up. I need an interview for benefits. Now." "We're booked up today but I can get you one Friday at 9am." "That's not good enough. I had to call out of work for this. I want an interview now." "I can't do that mam." "Then I want to talk to a supervisor." "There are no supervisors here today."
    via Outrageous_Fig_3105
  • 05
    "Why are you lying? There has to be a supervisor here. Give me your supervisor's phone number." "I'm not lying. Supervisor's come in the office only once a week. And I cannot give out a supervisor's cell phone number to clients." ITCH. Give me a supervisor's info. NOW." "Mam. I'm going to have to step away for a while and come back so I can stay professional with you." "Yeah you do that." 11
    via Outrageous_Fig_3105
  • 06
    comes back after a couple minutes "I need to help other clients. Should I put you down for a Friday interview or not?" "Yes. The earliest one. And what's your name so I can report you?" surgery sweet fake customer service voice "Sure. My name is OP and my supervisor's name is Beth."
    via Outrageous_Fig_3105
  • 07
    Then she has the audacity to say as she's walking away.... "You should really learn to be nicer if you're going to work with the public." FML. Cue water works because I'm stressed with life and this job.
    via Outrageous_Fig_3105
  • 08
    brian_o 18 hr. ago I can picture this itch exactly. Was she wearing leggings that are like 2 sizes too small? 161 Reply Share Outrageous_Fig_3105 OP · 18 hr. ago SHE WAS. Too funny that you called that lol. 114 Reply Share
    via brian_o
  • 09
    Illustrious-Air-4086 13 hr. ago Noooo for real tho. The EXACT type of person I imagined. Coming in wreaking of cigarettes and child buse most likely. Or just 5 different baby daddies. I'm sorry OP. I work in customer service as well, and people can be soooo mean. Just because they're miserable in their own lives. Not working hard, or at all, just wanting a handout. I get government benefits myself and could never act like this to ANYONE. Even the ones who actually are itches. Hope you have a bet
    via Illustrious-Air-4086
  • 10
    Ancient-Beginning913 · 18 hr. ago I hope you are okay. People usually say that people in customer service industry should be kind. Well, we are. But sometimes, situations like this are just too much 51 Reply Share 11 ●●● Howling_Fang 11 hr. ago For these people, the only way to "be kind" is by giving them exactly what they want, and if you do anything but, you are bad at your job. Reply Share
    via Ancient-Beginning913
  • 11
    SpankMyPatty. 2 hr. ago Especially ones that argue "customer is always right." uck that. 2 Reply Share PurpleMeeplePrincess 2 hr. ago "...in matters of taste." That's the whole quote. You should finish it for them. 2 Reply Share
    via SpankMyPatty
  • 12
    Soft-Explanation9889 · 39 min. ago “The customer is always right in matters of style and taste." Full quote from one of the early department store owners/managers? in the 50's. He was explaining to his staff that it didn't matter if they (the staff) liked what the customer wanted to wear - it only mattered that the customer was happy with the fit and esthetic. As far as he was concerned, it applied to furniture, appliances, and anything else that his store sold - as long as it sold. The quote di
    via Soft-Explanation9889
  • 13
    Less-Law9035 · 18 hr. ago I'm the exact opposite. When I am in a situation where I need help from someone else, I am calm, polite, well-mannered, say yes ma'am, no ma'm, thank you sir, I appreciate your help today sir, etc. These people who act like clowns when they need something from YOU, well, that just doesn't seem very smart. 443 ↓ Reply Share
    via Less-Law9035
  • 14
    HalfVast599 hr. ago I think it's subconscious self-sabotage - it allows them to continue to blame others, instead of taking responsibility for the consequences of their own actions. In this case, if the woman had the foresight to make an appointment, bring in relevant documents, and generally have her ducks in a row, she probably wouldn't have needed to come back again.
    via HalfVawst59
  • 15
    Instead, she's had to come back, call off work to do so, and finds out she'll need to come back - requiring her to call out from work yet again. She has to blame someone else, otherwise she'd have to acknowledge her own ditzery. 5 Reply Share
    via HalfVawst59

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clerical work karens karen tantrum karen client reddit karen state employee karens in the wild entitled karen karma r-entitled Reddit karen story karen entitled people karen customer service industry
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