I understand the business philosophy of “the customer is always right.” It just isn’t true. Somewhere along consumerism’s winding pathway, some people have lost sight that our small business owners and workers are society’s lifeblood. I’m not sure what rung of the ladder gives another person the right to feel like they can treat another person less than human. In my experience, the position someone holds has little to do with how they treat someone else. It always relates directly to the individual.

I’ve had the misfortune of witnessing retail workers and restaurant patrons berating servers while I waited to check out. (There are plenty of other jobs where people are poorly treated, so please feel free to insert other positions I’ve neglected to mention.) I am astounded by how wrong some customers can be as they rage brag within earshot of workers. It isn’t something to be proud of when you make a student worker cry because you move to a dirty table while she is still cleaning it. Please be patient and wait. You are important, just not more important.

I was recently at a restaurant when a fellow decided to go full throttle into the entitled zone with, “Do you know who I am?” My first thought was that if this self-important man were important, he would be escorted into the restaurant alongside a marching band, not arguing with a student working during her school break. The VIP (in his mind) didn’t understand the concept of the Wait List. I know. The definition is in the name. Everyone was waiting, but Mr. “Do You Know Who I Am” took the hostess’s table time estimate for an absolute. This person didn’t understand that a hostess or server has no control over how fast or slow people eat dinner. People don’t vacate a table just because a very important person is waiting.

I understand how waiting for a table to eat can be frustrating. I also know haranguing an overwhelmed worker doesn’t make a free table magically appear; it slows the process down. Please count to 10 before bringing your real or imaginary status into the demands. It makes you look pompous. Be kind, people. I guarantee your restaurant and retail experience will be a lot more pleasant.