This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.

The original was posted on /r/talesfromretail by /u/Internal-Donut4637 on 2024-04-13 22:21:23.

During my time at a Spanish supermarket in California, where the majority of customers spoke Spanish, I encountered a situation with a particularly challenging customer. Although my parents are from Mexico, I was born in California, so while I can speak Spanish, my American accent occasionally slips through, and I might forget a word or two. Typically, people are understanding.

However, there was one lady who was quite different. I was stationed at the customer service desk when she approached me, asking for the location of an item. It was nearby, on a specific shelf. Unable to recall the Spanish word for “shelf,” I described it as a “fixture that holds things” or something similar.

“‘Fixture that holds things’? What on earth is that? Do you even speak Spanish?”

I apologized, acknowledging that I had forgotten the word for the item, but assured her that the item she sought was nearby.

Despite the shelf being clearly visible to both of us, she refused to look.

“You clearly don’t speak Spanish. Find me someone else to assist.”

Slightly perplexed (after all, it was just one word I couldn’t recall), I noticed my manager nearby and thought she might be available to help.

(In perfect Spanish)

“Lucia, could you assist this customer? Apparently, I don’t speak Spanish, so she’s unable to understand me. Although it certainly sounds like Spanish, she insists it’s not, leaving me unsure of the language I’m speaking. Nonetheless, she requires assistance locating the (item), which I’ve indicated is over there. However, it seems she needs to hear it in Spanish, which, according to her, I’m unable to speak.”

Lucia, familiar with the difficult customer, wasn’t surprised by her behavior and struggled to keep down a laugh during my explanation. The lady had a 1000 yard stare like she had just been hit with the idiot stick.