Hard Of Hearing For Hard Customers
RESTAURANT | RIGHT | OCTOBER 22, 2014
(I’m deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the other. Since I’ve been like this all my life, I’ve learned to adjust as well as I could. I have a habit of tilting my head and leaning in with my good ear. Most people don’t say anything or don’t even notice. I was serving this customer when this happened.)
Me: “Welcome to [Store]. How can I help you?”
Customer: “I want a…” *mumbles while looking down*
Me: “I’m so sorry. I didn’t catch that.”
Customer: *looks annoyed and mumbles it again*
Me: “Ma’am, I’m sorry. I’m hard of hearing, and I just can’t catch what you’re saying. Would you speak up just a bit, again I’m sorry.”
(She finally looks up and rolls her eyes.)
Customer: “What, they actually hire you people now?”
Me: “I’m sorry?”
Customer: “If you can’t hear like a normal person then you shouldn’t be working!”
Me: *starting to get upset* “I’m sorry you feel that way, but I like working, and since I can work, I’d rather do that than go on disability.”
Customer: “Well since you can work just soooo well, then I guess you heard my order. And I’m not repeating it.”
Me: “I didn’t hear it ma’am, and I don’t really want to just take a guess at your order.”
Customer: *very loudly* “Then get me another server, you freak!”
(Luckily my manager overheard and escorted her out, telling her not to come back. Thankfully, most people are actually really nice about it, and will just speak up.)
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