Just submitted this to Not Always Right
Apr. 24th, 2010 02:07 pmThis happened today. Seriously.
(I'm working the register, and as I finish a transaction, the phone rings.)
Me: Thank you for calling *****, how can I help you?
Customer on Phone: Hello, ma'am, are you a manager?
Me: No, ma'am, I'm not, would you like to-
Customer: Do you have a Caucasian manager I can speak to?
Me: (trying to keep my voice calm) ...Ma'am, may I ask why that's important?
Customer: Oh trust me, I have a reason. Is there a Caucasian manager I can speak to?
Me: No, ma'am.
Customer: Is there a manager in the store?
Me: Yes, ma'am, would you like me to-
Customer: Is she African-American?
Me: ...Yes, ma'am. (by this point, I've failed at trying to sound helpful and my voice is completely flat)
Customer: And she's the only manager in the store right now?
Me: Yes.
Customer: Could I speak with her, please?
(I put the customer on hold and called the manager in question to the front. I never learned what she said to her, but this came as a shock. Most of our customer base is very open-minded.)
(I'm working the register, and as I finish a transaction, the phone rings.)
Me: Thank you for calling *****, how can I help you?
Customer on Phone: Hello, ma'am, are you a manager?
Me: No, ma'am, I'm not, would you like to-
Customer: Do you have a Caucasian manager I can speak to?
Me: (trying to keep my voice calm) ...Ma'am, may I ask why that's important?
Customer: Oh trust me, I have a reason. Is there a Caucasian manager I can speak to?
Me: No, ma'am.
Customer: Is there a manager in the store?
Me: Yes, ma'am, would you like me to-
Customer: Is she African-American?
Me: ...Yes, ma'am. (by this point, I've failed at trying to sound helpful and my voice is completely flat)
Customer: And she's the only manager in the store right now?
Me: Yes.
Customer: Could I speak with her, please?
(I put the customer on hold and called the manager in question to the front. I never learned what she said to her, but this came as a shock. Most of our customer base is very open-minded.)