Retail workers endure unfair abuse from angry customers

Dear Abby: I am writing on behalf of myself and all retail workers. It is my pleasure to serve on the front line during this pandemic.

Our problem: A lot of shoppers are extremely rude to us. They are angry when they encounter longer lines and waiting times. One customer actually spit on a plexiglass shield we put up to protect our cashiers. They also bring small children and babies in with them to shop.

We have been cursed at and yelled at for reasons beyond our control. Please let the public know we are trying our best to serve them even though a lot of us are afraid for our health and the health of our families. My daughter is a nurse, and she has experienced some of the same things. — In This Together

Dear In This: Your letter carries an important message. There is no excuse for the abuse you have described. Fear, stress and isolation have brought out the worst in some of us.

I don’t offer this in an attempt to excuse unacceptable behavior, but the customers you describe appear to be so on edge that they can no longer control their emotions. Some of them are also entitled, impatient and arrogant. I think that when a customer acts out, the store manager should remove that person from the premises. Some stores have increased their security staff to deal with this. If enough managers did this, customers would be put on notice that bad behavior won’t be tolerated.

As to mothers with babies and small children, try to cut them some slack, they may have no other choice.

Dear Abby: My situation concerns my significant other’s 18-year-old daughter. I have been dating (now living with) “Frank” for two years. I have been a big help to him. With a healthy diet and loving care, I have helped him to lose more than 50 pounds, which got him off insulin.

I have always been nice to his daughter, “Franny,” on the rare occasions I have been around her. I wasn’t in the picture when her parents divorced. The rest of his family has accepted me.

Franny, on the other hand, refuses to visit him or even call him “unless he gets rid of me.” I worry this is breaking his heart. He naturally loves his daughter.

The reason she says she hates me is, I’m older than he is — actually, quite a bit older. Should I approach her to talk about it, or should I just leave things as they are? — “Old” Gal In The South Dear Gal: You are not responsible for Frank’s pain or his daughter’s attempts at emotional blackmail. Leave things as they are. The person to talk some sense into Franny is her father, not you.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069 or visit www.DearAbby.com