Once in a while I get coffee from a nearby shop. Lot of times, the ladies at the counter are rude; especially to me, because I look like a soft target. Really, I am not confrontational unless I am at the end of my rope (on a side note, my co-workers were surprised when I was assertive and nearly aggressive with our local tax department a year back, but anyway)
What happened was: I was slowly putting change in my purse, and I even said "pardon me" to the lady behind me in the line. Because I was taking too long, the cashier said impatiently, "Ma'am, please move aside", while she was taking the food from the lady behind me (to ring her up). When I returned the receipt, the lady rudely said, "the garbage is right there". Usually, most cashiers would take the receipt for me.
Because I tend to be on slow side (especially if I'm tensed about sometime), people see me as soft target. But on the flip side, sometimes people are nice and patient (mostly males who are interested in friendship or something else, but that is another thread).
Kind of reminds me of this scene from English-Vinglish (with late Bollywood actress Sri Devi).
If I have said "Have a blessed day, would this have humbled her, perhaps offering me an apology? Please note, I also wish to be in and out, but I don't like rudeness!!!
How to respond to this cashier being assertive, but without being rude?
- I'm second generation of Indian, and this happens in the USA, if that is relevant
- In this particular shop, cashier is required to print receipt. Lot of time, people will return receipt, so this is common. Next to cashier is a bunch of receipts stacked up from customers who don't need receipt.