Bread Nazi

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
At the local Senior Center, the local supermarket donates day-old baked goods for anyone that wants them. There a sign over the bread table that says that the only limit is on sweets (doughnuts, cookies, pie cakes, etc.) and you can take up to two of those items. There is no limit on bread.

Once in a while a woman comes in while I'm looking and seems to have appointed herself commandant of the bread table. If I pick up more than one item, she starts in with, "You shouldn't take more than one." She's even asked how many people I'm taking for and I've answered that's it's just for myself. She said that she gets items for other people and when I take more than my share, I'm depriving them. I've tried to ignore her and even pointed out the sign, but it doesn't seem to register with her. I just pick and hand carry what I want, but she brings a wheelie cart with her.

The other day I had three items and she started in, "I don't think you should take that much." It just seemed to get to me and I snapped, "Yeah, but I got here FIRST!". Then she gave me a stink eye, but I didn't put my selections back on the table. Maybe she thinks I'm not a senior citizen (I admit I don't look my age) or thinks the bread is only for people that live at the center. I'm usually the first there because it's where I also pick up Meals-on-Wheels to deliver.

I've already asked the management and they said I could take items. I wonder what her gripe is? Likely I grabbed something she had her eyes on. Any suggestions on how I should handle her?
 

Debodun, it sounds to me like you are doing everything you can to deal appropriately with this woman. Perhaps she has entitlement issues around having first pick of items on the table, or she could just be a controlling individual. Regardless, I think your refusal to be intimidated by her attitude is the best way to deal with her. Most bullies will back down if the other person asserts themselves.
 
Oh sorry debodun... slap her upside the head.............. Just kidding... So long as you aren't doing anything wrong and the manager agrees... how about just ignoring her.. works all the time...
 
You're not breaking any rules, I would reply to any of her questions to me that it's none of her business...period, no further excuses or explanations necessary for her. I would take whatever I wanted, and not let he affect my choices at all. You're an angel for delivering meals on wheels. :)
 
You need to stop wondering what she is thinking. Since she is being so rude you should not even bother to reply and continue with what you are doing.
 
Tell her to "take it up with the management". If she feels that everyone should only take one item, then she needs to express that belief to the folks in charge. They can take it under consideration and either change the sign or ignore her. In the meantime, ignore her...... Hark back to childhood when the answer would have been "YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME!" and congratulate yourself that you're not a bitter, bossy old biddy like her. There's enough of them already in the world.
 
3horsefarm said:
I suspect it WOULD back her off completely.
Click to expand...

We all can suspect, speculate, and wonder forever. And as far as a confrontation, what good would it do? How would it accomplish a resolution? Exchanges such as this usually don’t result in the person backing off – they usually escalate the situation. At most, I would look at her for a quick second and say "You're kidding, right?" and go on with what I was doing. But I still lean towards ignoring her. Save the big guns for more important battles...not for a bread pantry kerfluffle.
“Asking her to prove” whatever…? Come ON. :rofl1:
 
I would completely ignore her as if she was completely invisible, like you didn't hear anyone speak or see anyone standing there.

I'm quite a past master at ignoring people that are rude and ignorant , I could give you lessons..
 
Shalimar said:
Phil, you are on a roll today. I am going to look for the Depends truck...
Click to expand...

On a roll and lightly buttered!

AZ Jim said:
I'll send 'em over he's parked out front of my place now.
Click to expand...

Maybe he'd scare the drug dealers away. :p

applecruncher said:
Nah, better to use it for dipping in some tasty au jus, Phil. :)
Click to expand...

I was never a "dip-my-bread-in-gravy" type - dunno, maybe I was just never hungry enough, or being around family and friends that always called grease "gravy". :sour:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top