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Entitled ‘Karen’ Threatens To Get Employee Into Trouble With Their Manager, But This Kind Stranger Counter-Complains In Time
It doesn’t take much to be an everyday hero—just a dash of courage, an ounce of justice, and a dollop of desire to make the world a slightly better place. Truthfully, we can all be wholesome in our own small ways and in the unlikeliest of places. For instance, being a total ‘bro’ at the gas station.
Redditor TanakaKamatari did just that. They proved they were an awesome human being after witnessing an extremely entitled and rude customer harassing a stunned Costco Gas employee who obviously wasn’t used to be shouted at. While the customer threatened to call the gas station employee’s manager and get them in trouble, the redditor was already working on a counter-strategy—giving them a heads up about the ‘Karen’s’ nefarious plan. Check out the full story below, dear Pandas, and let us know what you think about the entire situation.
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After a gas station employee got harassed by a rude customer, another customer swooped in to cover for them
Image credits: Unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: TanakaKamatari
TanakaKamatari’s post on r/EntitledPeople had earned them nearly 2.5k upvotes and a handful of awards at the time of writing. Meanwhile, other redditors pitched in with similar stories about counter-complains and how they actually do help.
Honestly, it’s good to know that; now we’ll all know what to do the next time that we witness employees getting screamed at. And frankly, it’s a nice feeling to know that at least some people are willing to take the time to set the score right. Now that’s a good sense of justice to have.
For anyone working in the service industry, rude customers will be something that they’ll have to deal with sooner or later. They’re not too common (thankfully!), but they will pop up now and again. The most important thing to remember is not to panic: their anger often won’t be about you, so don’t take it personally.
As hard as it is, try to stay calm and professional. According to MindTools, you ought to try and distinguish between unhappy customers (whom you can help once they calm down a bit) and rude ones who just want to vent about their lives and you’re the closest target with ears.
If you’re feeling out of your depth, go grab a colleague or a manager to support you. Does the entitled customer want to speak to your manager? Good! Odds are, your manager will have dealt with plenty of similar situations and will know how to defuse the tension. And showing up and having your back is the least they can do if their employee is getting unfairly harassed.
Though you can hope that some guardian angel customers will fly over to help you out in a pinch as well. They might not be there for you every single time, but as redditor TanakaKamatari showed us, they’ll gallop in like the cavalry when you least expect them.
And here’s what some redditors said about the total ‘bro’ moment that helped protect the gas station employee
What do you think ?
Nice cuppa tea 4 years ago
Similar but different, i once called a manager when I witnessed a foreign employee being bullied by a local employee. She was so horrible to her right In front of me as if I wasn't there. I told manager in front of the bully what I saw. Stand up against bullies! Silence and inaction lets them get away with it
KatHat 4 years ago
Do one better and compliment every time you can. Don't just do it when horrible people are being nasty (though definitely do it then if you can help sway things back). Get the names of cashiers and servers; drop quick messages on websites and via email. Doesn't have to be long or fancy. "I was in your restaurant on x date at y time and was served by Jason. He was courteous and friendly and a real asset to your staff. Thanks for a great visit, Jason!" or whatever. I do this a lot - less so since covid since I don't go out much - and it helps me keep a positive mindset about things as well as providing some positivity for the world. Say the compliments. Contact the manager for good service. Please.
John Juan 4 years ago
I agree wholeheartedly! People are so quick to complain when they feel everything is not up to par. We should all take a moment to praise as well when it is warranted. Keep it up.
Load More Replies...
troufaki13 4 years ago
I don't get it. Do they get high or something, when they act like that? I mean, it was unprovoked, uncalled for and she still wanted to get this guy fired for no reason
Marcellus the Third 4 years ago
It's an endorphine rush of power for some. That's why some people when they feel powerless because of forces above them, decide to kick down. Most abuses of power, from excessive use of police force to teachers humiliating kids, are just that --- the mentally weak kicking down.
Load More Replies...
TmKhr 4 years ago
I just can't understand what these self entitled men and women think they achieve with such behavior. They just make others pissed off and sad, while they themselves don't really get anything out of it.
Stannous Flouride 4 years ago
I think (based on some I've known) that they live in a hostile world of their own creation. They enter into every human interaction on the defensive with a heightened awareness to anything they perceive as an attack when it is actually just someone resisting their aggressive approach a little bit. The rest of the world looks at them and wonders what the F is wrong with them.
Load More Replies...
Mareike Hartmann 4 years ago
As an Gas Station employee for 18 years and a Manager for 5, I really really appreciate those customers. They are rare, but let me say from the bottom of my heart, me and my employee love you!!!
Furious George 4 years ago
I have done this for waitstaff and retail workers so many times. For those wondering, if you complain horribly to a manager at a nice restaurant, they will comp your meal (please do not do this, I am merely explaining why someone would). I have noticed that society tends to reward the absolute worst traits humanity has to offer. When I see something like this go down, I always defend people to a manager, but who knows if I actually helped. I have legitimately seen people order lobster and like 3-4 bottles of wine and then yell until they don't have to pay. It turns out that most other countries don't have "the customer is always right" for this exact reason. Although, my understanding is that it's supposed to be "the customer is always right in matters of taste", meaning give/make what people want. And this got shortened to the dogmatic nonsense of "the customer is always right" no matter how obviously incorrect and nightmarish they are.
Uncommon Boston 4 years ago (edited)
I regularly get discounts at places I am known for speaking up mostly about good experiences. Only complaining fairly and complimenting others at the same time. I talk to employees before complaining. Is this a problem or following policy? Did I misunderstand? No need to ask or hint, discounts are offered. 20% discount regularly adds up. You can not even image the benefits of a compliment. Sometimes spoken loud enough for others to hear. Try the customer is always treats us with kindness and respect.
Load More Replies...
Amanda Black 4 years ago
As a middle aged white lady I have to say: sorry for my kind. I had my time working retail. I know what it's like to be yelled and screamed it. I try to me kind to everyone I interact with.
Uncommon Boston 4 years ago
Be a positive force in the world. Say more good, than bad. It is a choice. I do complain because if I were the manager I would want to know; this person lowers the quality of my visit -- totally unfair to the rest of the employees. How can you maintain quality without knowing. As a result they listen and ask for more information, I know the situation is taken care of. I make a bigger effort to bring attention to positive interactions. My actions have helped people get bonuses, raises, and promotions. When I walk in the store, I am welcomed and respected. People go out of their way to help. The rewards are huge. If I do stand up for someone or have a complaint, they listen. Karma or sowing seeds of kindness? Try it.
Vermillion Ace #443 4 years ago
My personal belief for when I have to answer someone's questions is that "my word is law". Customers who do give me that "why?" reply basically tell me how ignorant they are of the matter at hand. I had some of that recently, someone thought they could do a card over the phone (red flag, never accept numbers over the phone), he tries to tell me that he can cuz another location like ours did it. I told him twice and he demanded a manager. People think the average employee is remedial and requires the knowledge of the higher ups, many of us do get training and firsthand experience is picked up along the way. If you know the policies and your position duties: Don't Panic. I feel especially bad for the guy cleaning up the mess at the pumps, he didn't deserve that because he clearly pointed out the markers blocking off access, it was for his safety and the customer's awareness.
Nice cuppa tea 4 years ago
Similar but different, i once called a manager when I witnessed a foreign employee being bullied by a local employee. She was so horrible to her right In front of me as if I wasn't there. I told manager in front of the bully what I saw. Stand up against bullies! Silence and inaction lets them get away with it
KatHat 4 years ago
Do one better and compliment every time you can. Don't just do it when horrible people are being nasty (though definitely do it then if you can help sway things back). Get the names of cashiers and servers; drop quick messages on websites and via email. Doesn't have to be long or fancy. "I was in your restaurant on x date at y time and was served by Jason. He was courteous and friendly and a real asset to your staff. Thanks for a great visit, Jason!" or whatever. I do this a lot - less so since covid since I don't go out much - and it helps me keep a positive mindset about things as well as providing some positivity for the world. Say the compliments. Contact the manager for good service. Please.
John Juan 4 years ago
I agree wholeheartedly! People are so quick to complain when they feel everything is not up to par. We should all take a moment to praise as well when it is warranted. Keep it up.
Load More Replies... troufaki13 4 years ago
I don't get it. Do they get high or something, when they act like that? I mean, it was unprovoked, uncalled for and she still wanted to get this guy fired for no reason
Marcellus the Third 4 years ago
It's an endorphine rush of power for some. That's why some people when they feel powerless because of forces above them, decide to kick down. Most abuses of power, from excessive use of police force to teachers humiliating kids, are just that --- the mentally weak kicking down.
Load More Replies... TmKhr 4 years ago
I just can't understand what these self entitled men and women think they achieve with such behavior. They just make others pissed off and sad, while they themselves don't really get anything out of it.
Stannous Flouride 4 years ago
I think (based on some I've known) that they live in a hostile world of their own creation. They enter into every human interaction on the defensive with a heightened awareness to anything they perceive as an attack when it is actually just someone resisting their aggressive approach a little bit. The rest of the world looks at them and wonders what the F is wrong with them.
Load More Replies... Mareike Hartmann 4 years ago
As an Gas Station employee for 18 years and a Manager for 5, I really really appreciate those customers. They are rare, but let me say from the bottom of my heart, me and my employee love you!!!
Furious George 4 years ago
I have done this for waitstaff and retail workers so many times. For those wondering, if you complain horribly to a manager at a nice restaurant, they will comp your meal (please do not do this, I am merely explaining why someone would). I have noticed that society tends to reward the absolute worst traits humanity has to offer. When I see something like this go down, I always defend people to a manager, but who knows if I actually helped. I have legitimately seen people order lobster and like 3-4 bottles of wine and then yell until they don't have to pay. It turns out that most other countries don't have "the customer is always right" for this exact reason. Although, my understanding is that it's supposed to be "the customer is always right in matters of taste", meaning give/make what people want. And this got shortened to the dogmatic nonsense of "the customer is always right" no matter how obviously incorrect and nightmarish they are.
Uncommon Boston 4 years ago (edited)
I regularly get discounts at places I am known for speaking up mostly about good experiences. Only complaining fairly and complimenting others at the same time. I talk to employees before complaining. Is this a problem or following policy? Did I misunderstand? No need to ask or hint, discounts are offered. 20% discount regularly adds up. You can not even image the benefits of a compliment. Sometimes spoken loud enough for others to hear. Try the customer is always treats us with kindness and respect.
Load More Replies... Amanda Black 4 years ago
As a middle aged white lady I have to say: sorry for my kind. I had my time working retail. I know what it's like to be yelled and screamed it. I try to me kind to everyone I interact with.
Uncommon Boston 4 years ago
Be a positive force in the world. Say more good, than bad. It is a choice. I do complain because if I were the manager I would want to know; this person lowers the quality of my visit -- totally unfair to the rest of the employees. How can you maintain quality without knowing. As a result they listen and ask for more information, I know the situation is taken care of. I make a bigger effort to bring attention to positive interactions. My actions have helped people get bonuses, raises, and promotions. When I walk in the store, I am welcomed and respected. People go out of their way to help. The rewards are huge. If I do stand up for someone or have a complaint, they listen. Karma or sowing seeds of kindness? Try it.
Vermillion Ace #443 4 years ago
My personal belief for when I have to answer someone's questions is that "my word is law". Customers who do give me that "why?" reply basically tell me how ignorant they are of the matter at hand. I had some of that recently, someone thought they could do a card over the phone (red flag, never accept numbers over the phone), he tries to tell me that he can cuz another location like ours did it. I told him twice and he demanded a manager. People think the average employee is remedial and requires the knowledge of the higher ups, many of us do get training and firsthand experience is picked up along the way. If you know the policies and your position duties: Don't Panic. I feel especially bad for the guy cleaning up the mess at the pumps, he didn't deserve that because he clearly pointed out the markers blocking off access, it was for his safety and the customer's awareness.
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