Bed, Bath and WAAAAAAAAAY freaking Beyond...

[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.

[sasvermont]

Well, my thought is that this lady has dementia, an oh so common problem with folks as they age. Someone might want to call a social service to have someone help her out a little. My Mom has dementia, and boy does she need help each day.

Hats off to the person(s) who helped her but I think a bigger help would be a social service.

[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.

[kimlovescats]

I know that it is very difficult (especially during the busy retail season) to deal with any demanding customer. However, I have to agree that this woman obviously is lonely and hurting. Where is her family? Why does an 80 year old woman, who is in a wheelchair, have to still be driving herself? True, she may be the type who demands her freedom and "independence" and this may also be why she is abrupt with asking for any help she knows she needs. She probably doesn't really like to ask for help (denial) so when she does, it comes out harshly. I also think that she was probably embarrassed to find that she didn't have enough money in her purse. Your manager was very kind to make up the difference for her. Whether he wanted to or not, he showed her kindness and mercy which is truly what Christmas is all about!

I'm so happy that you are loving your job at BBB! ENJOY IT!!!

[Pam]

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, have you ever read the book by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans called *Angel Unaware?* I read it as a child and will never forget it. It was written about their daughter who was born with Downs Syndrome. That is exactly what they considered her - their little angel.

I agree with Sallyanne. SAS and I are both going through sort of the same things (mild dementia) with our mothers and we recognize the signs. My mom is not ornery but until recently never realized that her abilities were not what she thought they were. It would be nice if someone could find out if she has family, since she is a regular customer. This is so sad and is the plight of many seniors. They drive and live alone, hanging onto every last piece of their independence. I see it at my office all the time. We have a large senior patient population as my boss specializes in cataract surgery. We will all be old some day. May we all age sweetly. That would be a blessings to ourselves and our families.

[carole]

I am kinda with Cassiemom on this being old or disabled doesn't mean it is ok to be darn right rude, but i do know that as you get older your tolerance levels drop, have noticed it even at my ripe ole age lol,so i guess just gritting your teeth and being nice is a good thing to do,but sometimes there are just grumpy,ungrateful people in this world,giving her the benefit of the doubt is a wise call and being nice won't hurt will it?