Juggling Orders In Disorder

(I’m on the phone taking an order for a catered event. A customer approaches the counter. Despite my other coworkers who are mostly unoccupied, the customer seems intent on getting my attention, and the customer on the phone won’t let me get a word in to ask her to hold for a second.)

Counter Customer: “Excuse me! I need you!”

Me: *trying to get the attention of another worker* “Someone will help you in a second.” *to the phone* “I’m sorry, could you repeat that last part, ma’am…”

Counter Customer: “No! I need you to help!”

Me: *points to phone* “I’m helping another customer right now. Someone will be right over.”

Counter Customer: “NO! YOU HELP!”

(At this point, I turn away to take the order on the phone. Suddenly, the customer comes behind the counter, snatches the phone from me and hangs it up.)

Counter Customer: “You help me NOW!”

Me: *exasperated* “Please go back around the counter, ma’am. What was it you needed?”

Counter Customer: “I didn’t get a cup for my drink. ”

(After sending her on her way, I call the other customer back.)

Me: “I am so sorry about that we got disconnected, ma’am. How many people are you serving again?”

Phone Customer: “I think I’m going to take my business elsewhere. It was very rude and unprofessional of you to hang up on a customer. If you didn’t want to take my order, you could have just said!” *click*

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