18 Employees Share How They Took Revenge On Rude Customers And Karens
Karens are the worst. They simply are the absolute worst.
Whether they're demanding to speak to your manager or throwing a fit about something that's clearly not your fault, they always manage to make your life a living hell.
If you work in customer service, chances are you've had to deal with your fair share of "Karens." You know who I'm talking about — the entitled, demanding customers who think the world revolves around them.
Dealing with Karens can be a challenge, but there are some things you can do to make the experience a little less painful. First, try to remain calm and keep your cool.
It can be difficult but try not to let the Karen get under your skin. Second, remember that you are a professional and you know what's best for the situation.
Don't let Karen bully you into doing something you don't want to do. Finally, if all else fails, just walk away.
Sometimes it's just not worth your time and energy to try and deal with a Karen. But aside from walking away, did you know that there's something you can do?
Let's just say it's something satisfying. And it's none other than taking revenge on them.
If you're curious about how to do it, these stories from employees will show you the way.
Don't be rude to employees in the customer service industry.
If you make their lives miserable, some of them will hit back big time.
Blake Wisz on Unsplash1. This is what you'll get when you're rude to movie theater staff.
Worked at a movie theater in college. Rude customer equals cup filled to the brim with ice before the soda, and broken popcorn kernels from the bottom of the bin.
MarvinWatchOut!, siliscarad2. Rude lady gets what she deserves.
I work as a house cleaner and a lady was rude, so I used her tissues to clean her toilet even though she made me clean the whole house with two dirty rags.
suzannelovesfish, Alexander Medvedev3. Rude customers get not-so-tasty sushi.
Rude customers get fewer soy sauce packets at my sushi restaurant.
Mo Kobi, shuchunke4. You won't enjoy your food as much when you're rude to servers.
As a server, sometimes when rude customers ask for butter, I give them cold butter, even though I have room temperature butter because I know the cold butter will rip up their bread.
officialbtw, miwa_in_oz5. Rude customers can't enjoy their smoothies.
I under-blend their smoothies so the little chunks block their straws.
ebonymallinson, Natalia Klenova
6. You'll be treated like a criminal if you're rude at the airport.
I used to work at airport security. The assholes always got their bags pulled for a full search.
mazistyping, yacobchuk
7. Never be rude to servers.
As a server, I always gave the senior discount to women — usually in their 40s or 50s — who were being rude. They couldn’t complain because they wanted the discount, but you could see in their eyes that I just ruined their day.
celinac45969bdaf, webphotographeer
8. Rude customer don't get to enjoy their deli cheese.
As a deli worker, when a customer is being a Karen, I’ll squish the cheese together after I slice it so it’s impossible to separate later.
mickmoo420, webphotographeer
9. You'll get sleepy at work when you're rude to a barista.
As a barista, I give them decaf espresso shots.
seekingsunflowers, Mikhail Blavatskiy
10. Yikes!
As a flight attendant, for rude customers, I book their airplane seat on a 10-hour flight next to the bathroom.
renroh71, bee32
11. Tip your bellhops properly.
I work in a hotel. Late-arrival guests didn’t tip when I helped them with their luggage, so I phoned them in the middle of the night.
gezadanielmolnar, adisa
12. Imagine enjoying your delicious food only to smell fart while you're eating it
Shoutout to all the servers. For rude customers, we crop-dust — especially if it’s busy and loud and the music’s going and they definitely won’t hear you. We crop-dust.
bree_ann_uhh, Диана Дунаева from Pexels
13. Don't be a cheapskate.
I worked for a car rental company. Moving is stressful, so people were always stressed out. Most of the time, people were fine. But sometimes they would say, for example, ‘I’m moving from Sacramento, California, to El Paso, Texas.’ So I’d say, ‘OK, that’s a five-day trip.’ Some people would say, ‘No, I can do that trip in three days, so only charge me for three days.’ These numbers are based on safely driving eight hours a day — that’s how we want you to drive the equipment. If they kept going and were rude and insulting, I’d say, ‘OK, you’re right. Are you ready for your confirmation number?’ Then I’d rattle off eight random numbers, and they wouldn’t have a moving truck that day.
miranda.macabre, structuresxx
14. It pays to be respectful.
I worked at a discount grocery store. There were a bunch of rude customers — I had people even throw food at me and laugh about it. I had to ring up every single thing manually. Basically, if they were rude to me, if it was 99 cents, I’d ring it up as $2.99. The receipts were so long that they didn’t check. I wound up charging them $30 to $40 more just for how rude they were.
heather.blr, Mehrad Vosoughi from Pexels
15. Karens won't get their discount.
I work in retail, and if you’re even moderately polite, I’m the most courteous, professional, and helpful person I can be. You don’t have to be overly nice — just basic respect and decency. As soon as that line is crossed and you get rude with me, the customer service persona drops and you get the silent treatment. I won’t ask my usual questions, so if you forget to type in your rewards card number, that’s on you, and I no longer care if you want your receipt or a bag — you’re getting it, even if you’re just getting a pack of gum.
congdongracie24, alvarez
16. A sneaky bank teller's revenge
As a bank teller, I give rude customers the smallest denominations possible, sneak a $2 bill in, give you some really dirty coins, or give you some of my mutilated cash. Nice customers get the brand-new bills and shiny coins!
stitch713, NikolayFrolochkin from Pixabay
17. How to embarrass a rude customer
I was working at the hotel bar. This one guy was just so rude and a huge asshole. So when his card declined, I went back to the table and said it loud enough for everyone to hear.
contentcreature, EHStock
18. Be nice to the nail salon staff, or else...
I worked at a nail salon. If one of the customers was complaining about the wait, I would use as little glue as possible on their fake nails.
abigaillouises45, Anna Tis from Pexels
The Karens of the world can be tough to deal with as an employee in customer service.
They're so great at casting dark clouds over your day. Just remember to stay calm and collected, and eventually, they’ll move on to someone else who can’t handle them.
Plus, it always feels great when you finally do manage to shut them down or take revenge on them — kind of like a personal victory. Have you had any run-ins with Karens?
How did you deal with them?
