A Reverse Customer Service Story

by Connie
(United States)

Sometimes the customer, in this case my mother, is not always right. Let me start off by saying my mother is a very sweet woman. A real people pleaser. Well liked. This was very out of character for her and the reason it stills sticks out so well in my mind.

My mother wanted to take my son and me out to lunch and asked us where we wanted to go. I mentioned the fairly new Mexican restaurant in town. She and her husband had not been there yet and thought it would be a good idea.

My mother called ahead to see if they take checks. They said yes. I know, I know... I've talked to my mom a dozen times about just using her debit card but she's afraid of change.

Anyway, we had a very lovely time. Lunch was great. When we went up to pay (you paid at the counter on your way out) my mom handed the man a check and he said... "no checks."

Now, my mother was right in the fact that they did give her misinformation on the phone but her behavior from this point forward was embarrassing and just plain wrong.

My mother lost her mind. She started screaming at the guy. I called ahead... you told me on the phone... that's why we came her.... blah, blah, blah. To which the man replied... no checks.

Oh boy, wrong answer. My mom was so angry and screaming at the guy. She tore the check up and threw it in his face and at some point in her rant told him to go back to Mexico. My jaw literally hit the floor.

I told my step dad to take my son outside. It was ugly. The man behind the counter never batted an eye. He did not respond or argue during her explicit rage. He just calmly picked up the phone and called the police.

In the middle of his call, I gently pushed the phone receiver down to disconnect his call, guided my mother out of the restaurant, went back inside, apologized profusely and paid the bill. I was horrified.

On the way home I told my mom she needed to go to the doctor to have her hormone medication readjusted.