The vast majority of youth I encounter are well-behaved, polite and friendly towards their fellow human beings. But there is, unfortunately, a minority that seems to have lost all understanding of the word “manners” and have no concept of what it means to be polite to strangers. Here’s a story that reflects just that. The story, which I came across online, is told by a store cashier – but it’s difficult to know if it happened in real life or not. My feeling is that it may be slightly exaggerated – but the storyline seems otherwise very realistic to me. Basically, the cashier has the misfortune of encountering a miserable teenage boy who seems to believe he is God’s gift to women. A sudden surprise encounter quickly changes everything though… Read for yourself below.
Here’s the story:
(I’m up working the cash register on a slow day, when a teenage boy comes up. He looks to be about 14. He’s sagging his pants, trying to look tough.)
Customer: “Hey, baby.”
Me: “Hi there, sir. How can I help you today?”
Customer: *leans on the counter* “You can get me your number.”
(I’m 25, and engaged.)
Me: “Sorry, but that’s not going to happen. Can I help you with anything else?”
Customer: “Why the f*** not, you stupid b****?!”
Me: “One: That would be illegal. Two: I am happily engaged. And three: even if I ignore the first two, it’s against company policy.”
Customer: “You’re a f***ing b****! You should be happy I want a piece of your a**!”
(As the customer continues ranting and raving, a woman appears behind him. She reaches out and taps his shoulder twice.)
Customer: “What the f*** do you want—”
(He turns around. All the color drains from his face. He manages to squeak out some words.)
Customer: “Hi, mama.”
(She smacks him across the face.)
Customer’s Mom: “I did not raise you to be a self-entitled douche-bag! I did not raise you to think you are better than this poor girl!” *she grabs him by the ear, and shoves him against the counter, facing me* “Now, apologize!”
Customer: “But mom!”
Customer’s Mom: “Now!”
(He looks close to tears. He mumbles out how sorry he is, and how it wasn’t fair of him to treat me like a piece of meat. His mom, by his ear, pushes him towards the door.)
Customer’s Mom: “Go.”
(He walks out of the store, ready to cry. She turns to me, gives me a huge smile, apologizes again, and even buys me a gift card. Apparently there are some good parents still out there!)
Thought the mom’s reaction was appropriate? Share your comments!
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