Retail worker shares how she shut down 2 different super Karens in 1 day, manager has her back: ‘We laugh about it’

Author image for Elna McHilderson
Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor
May 7, 2024 12:00 PM EDT

"We laughed about it but it really was the craziest encounter with entitled people…"

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  • Working in retail is something else. If you've never had to hold that position, be grateful. Sure, you might get discounts and exclusives on releases. But most of the job is stocking items and dealing with the dreaded Karen customers. And believe me, there are A LOT of entitled Karen customers. Where are they all coming from? They don't tend to train how to deal with entitled customers, many companies still follow the antiquated “customer's always right.” (Which isn't even the entire quote btw, but I digress.) Mastering the art of dealing with Karens is something you pick up along the way. And this Redditor really knew how to hold her ground. 

    She was working at a beauty store when a Karen customer came barreling it at 9 AM. That's too early, Karen. BOOM She gets shut down. Then, another Karen has the audacity to interrupt this retail employee in her car during her lunch break. Like, what?? Where are these Karens getting their audacity? Seriously, how do I get some? Read the entire story below!

    Liked this story? Read about the petty revenge this guy took on his male-Karen neighbor. 

  • 01
    "I thought I've dealt with it all but... This one takes the cake
    via Mike Jones via Pexels
  • 02
    2 in 1 L Believe me or not that this happened to me in one day. I 30 female work customer service (hair store if anyone cares) and I love my job despite the crazy and mean customers I may get once or twice a week. From putting money on the counter to paid but wants their change handed back to wanting the most expensive thing in the store only to complain about the price of it, I thought I've dealt with it all but y his was baffling to me and takes the cake.
    via OtakuVixen
  • 03
    We just opened and we only got a few customers come in. 3 people exactly. A woman brought 4 bags of braiding hair to me at the counter. I smiled and was about to speak and ring her up but she cuts me off and says she not ready yet and goes down another aisle. She brings back more stuff and continues to tell me each time she not done yet or she's still looking. I offer her a basket to carry her items but she said no and leaves again.
    via OtakuVixen
  • 04
    She makes about 4 trips back to the counter at this point and I decided since she didn't want a basket I moved her items behind the counter with me to be out the way. When I do this another customer is actually ready to check out. I happily start ringing up the items but then guess who walks back up. She immediately asked where her things were. I told her I moved them to the side so that they wouldn't be in the way of other customers and I didn't want to accidentally ring her stuff with someone
    via OtakuVixen
  • 05
    She said she was almost done and shouldn't have checked out anyone before her that was apparently the point of her leaving all her items on the counter. I reminded her she told me multiple times she wasn't ready and I offered her a basket so she could shop freely but she snapped at me saying she didn't want the basket and I shouldn't have checked anyone out when she was there first.
    via OtakuVixen
  • 06
    I sighed deeply because it was 930ish in the morning now and I really didn't want to deal with this so early, we literally just opened! I told the woman just because she sat something up here doesn't make it a save my spot in line pass. If you say you're not ready and someone is done shopping I will get the next person in line. I asked her if she was ready now holding up my scanner. She said yes but wanted my manager (store owner) to do it. I said he out back doing inventory and I couldn't leave
    via OtakuVixen
  • 07
    I gave her the bags she said she's gonna talk to my manager later. I smiled and said ok! I told him about it and he rolled his eyes and told me not to worry about it. I wasn't but I laughed. Fast forward to noon I went on my lunch break. Picked up my order return to the parking lot of my job and sat in my car eating while watching videos on my phone. The next thing I hear is a knock on my window. There is a woman (different woman) standing at my door. I rolled my window slightly and asked "yeah,
    via OtakuVixen
  • 08
    your help in the store. Immediately I shook my head and said naw. I told the girl I was on my lunch break but my manager was in the store to help her with anything she needed. She then says but I want your help so come help me please. I tell her no but I'll be back after my break. She looked so offended I guess and says while folding her arms, "Are you really not gonna come help me?" I looked at my phone then back at her and say "Ma'am I have 20 more minutes left on my break. When I get back I'l
    via OtakuVixen
  • 09
    store and I went back to my videos. Not long after I see the girl standing outside with my manager pointing at me. According to him, she was trying to get him to make me come in to help her with whatever she needed. He told her I would be back in later but he would help her. She refused his help and left the store. I swear I got a headache from all this. I told my husband about the day I had and he said maybe the second girl liked me and that's why she only wanted my help. I told him even if tha
    via OtakuVixen
  • 10
    Lonely-Kitchen-2087 3d ago What in the • is wrong with people? "Oh yeah, I'm just not gonna check out this person who is ready to check out because of the person who is still wandering around the store"....makes total sense..... ↑ 77 B Reply ↑ Share + More replies Trick_Parsley_3077 • 3d ago THIS is why I will NEVER go back to Retail!!! Customers have gotten so Bad. They All Need to ! Seriously. Girl I do not envy you god bless you for sticking it out! 30 Reply ↑ Share ...
    via Lonely-Kitchen-2087
  • 11
    MorticiaFattums • 2d ago I used to literally hide in the bushes of the park near my old job when it was time for my lunch break. I had terrible coworkers that refused to do their jobs, but would opt to leave the desk unmanned to come find me in my car. I no longer sat in my car and would return to work to some pissy old that had to, oh god, do their own jobs! ✩ 10 Reply ↑ Share + More replies
    via MorticiaFattums
  • 12
    Ok-Wrongdoer-2179 • 3d ago You must be a Karen magnet. ↑ 8 Reply ↑ Share (+ More replies SuitableJelly5149 • 3d ago And people wonder why millennials hate everyone 13 Reply ↑ Share ... + More replies
    via Ok-Wrongdoer-2179
  • 13
    IllCandy9636 • 3d ago Seems like the second lady was the first lady's friend and she wanted to jump you. I mean that's how it looks... Remember her face and if she comes back, be on alert.... 6 Reply ↑ Share ... + More replies Lisa_Knows Best ⚫ 2d ago • You should get some of those windshield sun blockers so you can hide out and eat in peace. You really shouldn't have to but ya know, people are AHs. +53 ☐ Reply ↑ Share
    via IllCandy9636
  • 14
    Broad_Woodpecker_180 2d ago I've had that second thing happen more than once. The oddest was when I worked at that store where employees wear red shirts and khakis. It was at the end of a shopping complex. In the same parking area there were a few food places. So one I leave and go to Chipotle to get some lunch I'm walking out and this lady comes up and says she needs help I'm thinking she needs directions or where a particular store is. Nope she wants me to follow her back to my store to help h
    via Broad_Woodpecker_180
  • 15
    No_Proposal7628 • 2d ago I can't imagine having the nerve to knock on the car window of an employee on break and demanding they return to the store to serve me while they're obviously on a break. You were eating and watching videos so you couldn't possibly have been working. The nerve of some people! +3 Reply ↑ Share
    via No_Proposal7628
  • 16
    Auntjenny48 • 1d ago I have gone to a store and put things on the counter and gone back for other things, but that is only at a certain store where I know the owner, I only do that in his store, everywhere else I either have a cart, basket or just hold my stuff. It is his idea for me to do that. If he has to check out other people in the meantime, he puts my stuff aside and when I am done, I go to the back of the line if there is a line. If there are people in line waiting to cash out, why shoul
    via Auntjenny48

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