Bed, Bath and WAAAAAAAAAY freaking Beyond...

[Logan]

Pam and I were thinking the same way, it seems. I think it is a great reminder to us all about making sure we are extra nice to the people who we meet in a retail situation this time of year. They are so busy and mostly so accomodating, but those bad apples show up and ruin any glimmer of holiday spirit. Thanks to everyone who works in retail!!!! I promise to be nice!!!!!

[kuhio98]

She sounds like a very lonely, sad woman. Who knows? The highlight of her day (and the only time she's around people) may be when she goes out shopping. She may be all alone because her personality pushed her family away long ago. Just be nice to her. She's old so she probably won't be a "problem" much longer.

[borzoimom]

Well- I bet this trip into town was her one big event. I would also bet some dementia is in play here. She also maybe frustrated she can not see things for herself. My grandmother had altizmers- and later died from it. In the beginning, she was quiet and never asked anything of anyone. She also didnt have food in the house, needed necessities etc and finally when my parents discovered this fact, they moved in with her to care for her. After a few months, they had to sell the car. They tried to hide her car, but she would leave and go driving- one time got lost for 8 hours as she got caught on the 495 beltway loop and drove for hours as she could not remember which exit to take with the changes.
Older people are hard. Sometimes a little kindness reminds them of a simplier time. Some older people the reminder of kindness makes them upset- as they remember people that have left. I found when I had a retail store, if I approached a person of such needs ( and by law- of resonable accomindation, the management must comply) to fill the needs, but not going over board made them feel less embarassed about their situation. You do not know if a neighbor put her chair in the car or helped her. I understand your vent, but maybe she only comes there because your store is the only one that will totally accomindate her needs. Or she came there to have the opporturnity to actually talk to someone. If she lives alone, it IS a very lonely life. This was probably more of a day out than anything. And remember- she could be on a very limited budget- and embarrassed on that as well. If you knew her name and address, maybe social services could help.
I understand your vent- I just thought I would offer the opinion of the other end of the scale. Frustration can make people rude. And asking for things maybe her way of feeling like she is in some control of something in her life.
And for the comment of being 80 and at her age "she may not be a problem too much longer".. - put it this way- all 4 of my grandparents lived well into their 90's, and great grandparents my dad's size over a 100 ( 104, and 102) .. True her own actions could be why she is alone- or not- and that is why she is so demanding. I think she just wanted to feel like she had some control in life- dementia if at all or not- that is what I am seeing.. At least you could come here to vent- she doesnt have anyone to vent to.. Count your blessings..
BTW- I LOVE THAT STORE! I always spend more than I thought I would.. lol. I always find things I didnt even know were available... lol.. ***

[caseysmom]

My Father suffered from Alzheimer's disease, it sounds like this woman could be at the beginning of the disease. On one side we are all going to get old and respect your elders and on the other side we don't need to get abused in the process....this is a tough call.

[lizbud]

She sounds like a very lonely, sad woman. Who knows? The highlight of her day (and the only time she's around people) may be when she goes out shopping. She may be all alone because her personality pushed her family away long ago. Just be nice to her. She's old so she probably won't be a "problem" much longer.

These are my sentiments also. I wouldn't be to harsh with this old lady.

[buttercup132]

You and the emplee's job is NOT to push her around the store.
So I don't really get why someone took her on if they know she is a old grump.

[borzoimom]

Buttercup- its a law in our country called " resonable accomindation" and used that stores have to comply with resonsible requests due to a handicap. They would have had to.

[king2005]

Saddly I know that all too well.. But when other customers see you doing what you did, it makes them like your shop even more.. Keeping your cool & bitting your lip does pay off in the end.. just not with the customer causing the static for nothing.

[moosmom]

I volunteered to push her around. Unfortunately, I was at Customer Service and couldn't leave my post.

I felt bad for her. It made me think about when I get to be that age. I also wondered where her family or friends were to help her. I guess she was just a very lonely woman.

[CountryWolf07]

I had a miresable old lady bump into me at Wal-mart.. with her shopping cart!!!! She asked me if I was in line to pay for my CDs.. and I told her that I was and she told me "THEN get in line!" and just bumped me a couple times... what a miresable old lady.

[pitc9]

It's hard to be nice to someone that's being so mean... even if they are older and handicapped. Maybe she doesn't have any family, maybe she does but they don't care about her... it's so sad any way you look at it, but it doesn't give her the right to speak to and treat people like that.

Life is not fair...

[dukedogsmom]

I say this about any customer service job. Just because you're there to serve the public, that doesn't mean everyone should be allowed to treat you like crap.

[DJFyrewolf36]

I honestly praise your management for taking the time to deal with the old lady. John helped an older lady get something from a shelf at Walmart a couple of weeks ago, she at first seemed a little cranky but when John helped her she actually smiled and thanked him. A little kindness was all it took to brighten someones day and maybe this lady while not thankful on the surface really appriciates what your manager and your coworker did for her.

Good for you for voulenteering as well

[Karen]

My grandma would say "you never know when you are hosting an angel, unaware." If life is a series of tests of character, your manager passed with flying colors.

[lizbud]

My grandma would say "you never know when you are hosting an angel, unaware." If life is a series of tests of character, your manager passed with flying colors.

karen, I've heard that said also. Makes you stop & think doesn't it?

This story makes me think of something that happened last time I was
grocery shopping. The store was crowded & I was glad to get finished
and out of there. I had stowed everything in the car & started to pull
away in the car when I spotted this little old lady at the far end of the
parking lot. She took a cart, & put her purse into the seat part of the
cart & started to push it toward the store.She wasn't even 5 ft tall and
so frail looking, I pulled my car into a nearby space, parked & just watched
her.
(wondering if I should jump out & help her up to the store) I was thinking
this frail old lady would make easy pickings for any thief that happened
to come past. In the end, I did not get out to offer help, but instead
watch carefully to see she made it into the store. I kept thinking, there,
but for the grace of God, go I.