Me: “Is there anything I can help you with, sir?”

(No response.)

Me: “Sir?”

(Still no response. I decide to just ignore him, as he seems a bit weird, and get on with my work. Over the next ten to fifteen minutes, he inches closer to me. I’m a little creeped out, so I turn my back on him. A little while later I turn back to grab my stapler and see him right up against the counter. I stare at him as I reach for the stapler, when he grabs it.)

Me: “Sir, could I please have that? It does not belong to you.”

(No response.)

Me: “Sir, please.”

(He still says nothing, but reluctantly hands over the stapler. I turn back, staple what I need, and finally decide to address him.)

Me: “Sir, if there is nothing I can help you with, and you do not intend to shop today, I am going to have to ask you to leave.”

(This sets him off. His eyes turn murderous as he screams.)

Gentleman: “YOU DIDN’T SAY, ‘HELLO!’ YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO SAY, ‘HELLO,’ TO SOMEONE BEFORE YOU HELP THEM! I’VE BEEN STANDING HERE FOR HALF AN HOUR AND YOU’VE JUST F****** IGNORED ME. THIS IS TERRIBLE SERVICE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE DISRESPECTED IN MY LIFE. I’M SUING!”

(The gentleman then sprinted out of the store. I got a call from my manager a month later regarding a 57-page essay sent to her about how I had infringed the gentleman’s basic human rights, referencing laws from all around the world to support his argument. After I explained what happened, she was just as confused as I was.)