I got yelled at in Ikea today!!

[Ember]

Today we had to go to Ikea to pick a few things up as we make a move into my mum's to help as she starts chemo. My mum wanted to come, but wasn't feeling great, so we left her sitting in the cafe area and walked backwards through the store.

When we got to bedding, a man stepped aside to let us pass. Normally, this is something I would acknowledge. But my mind was elsewhere and I just kept walking. Truthfully, I hadn't even seen him.

He yells back, in the rudest tone you can imagine, "You should have said 'thank you!'"

We turn around and I offer a confused, "excuse me?"

He walks up to us and gets within about a foot of us, right in our faces. "I moved aside for you and you should have said 'thank you.'" Then he starts going on about social niceties and how we still have to be polite.

Now, I'm not proud to admit this part. I could see my husband getting mad so I said, "Come on, it's not worth it." And we started walking away.

He yells after us, "No, she isn't worth it!"

Well, after finding out about terminal cancer five days ago, moving home and coping with the worst news imaginable my husband loses it. For the first time in the 13 years I've known him, I was sure he was going to all out hit the guy. I had to physically restrain him. He's been a rock for both my mother and I, and I think the "threat" to me was just the straw that broke the camels back and let out all the helpless rage he's felt over this whole situation.

Nothing happened, I stepped in between. But the man continued to berate us as I forced us to walk away.

Now, the really ironic part is that I take my manners very seriously. I truly do believe in social etiquette. I have even read, from cover to cover, the big blue Miss Manners book. (I wanted to feel comfortable no matter what social situation I found myself in so I figured I'd learn more.) I just can't believe that someone would get so bent out of shape over a forgotten "thank you!!"

 

[chell]

 

[KristaTX]

It sounds like the man's motive for offering any kind gesture is simply an attempt to get praise from someone, and not really genuine kindness. I'm sorry that happened to you.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

People are idiots. When you do something nice for somebody you should do it without the expectation of a thank you. Then, if somebody says thank you it's a pleasant surprise. That man was bang out of order.

 

[Stacerita]

Sorry he yelled at you. He was a jerk.

 

[DMRick]

I'm sorry. And good for you and your husband to actually refrain from a fist fight. The guy sounds like a real jerk, and you guys did well to walk away, as hard as it was.

 

[crazyme5kids]

When I first read this post, my first thought was he sounds like he might have a disability. Then again, he might have been having a really bad day too. Or he was just a miserable jerk.

Sorry you are going through such a bad time.

 

[minniecarousel]

We was wrong!

Polite adults do not reprimand other adults.

Your mind was elsewhere.

Hang in there.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm sorry that you ran into a jerk. I ran into one myself outside of one of the WDW themeparks recently so I can relate.

DS and I were walking down the sidewalk at a fairly rapid pace in a straight line like we always do when a man came up beside us and told me in a snide tone that I was meandering into his part of the sidewalk. I just laughed and asked DS if he was aware that part of the sidewalk was owned by this man. The man just looked at me and kept on walking. He could have just said 'excuse me' and I would have even gotten off the sidewalk to let him pass.

The point is that people sometimes just want to act stupid and complain but that always indicates to me that they are likely unhappy about something and looking for someone to take their feelings out on. Don't let them get to you!

 

[Imzadi]

Some people aren't just idiots, they are nutcases. The fact that he would berate you five times worse for not saying thank you and then go off like that, wipes the original gesture and need for a thank your right off the page.

He sounds like he was missing a few screws.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

Don't let worry about this man ruin anymore of your day! He was out of line to berate you. I'm sorry it made you and your husband feel bad. Try not to think of it.

 

[Gretchen3ajoshmom]

Mean people suck! I am so sorry....the last thing the two of you needed... hugs and I hope for better days for you both....

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[happygirl]

What a jerk, I'm sorry you had to deal with that

 

[Evil Genius]

He was worried about social niceties and he stands in a store yelling at someone? Very ironic.

 

[Gabes_mommy]

He was worried about social niceties and he stands in a store yelling at someone? Very ironic.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

OP - it sounds like you did a great job of handling yourself in a very hard situation.

 

[The Orchid]

I am so sorry to hear about your mum. I can't imagine how hard of a time this must be for you. See, this is why one should never judge the actions of others. You just do not know what is going on in another person's life to make them forget a manner or act out of character. That guy was a total jerk and you didn't deserve that regardless of the circumstances!

Don't let it get to you. You know what kind of person you are and as far as manners, I believe that idiot made it VERY clear which one of you lacked them.

Good luck with your mum. I hope she responds will to the chemo!

 

[MM27]

People are idiots. It's funny that someone that feels the need to lecture you on manners is going nuts in the middle of a store.

 

[RedSox68]

The man has serious issues if he felt it necessary to physically walk up to you and get in your face about it! He's lucky you didn't punch him! I think I would have stomped on his foot Sorry you had to experience that while trying to deal with an upsetting situation. Some people just need a good clock on the head

 

[Orangeandwild]

That guy was a serious nutjob with issues trying to start something in a store is all. I would forget it as best as you can, as he just wanted to bother you is all and cause anxiety (which he has). People like that are not worth your time of day or even a second thought

Best of luck to your Mum and her chemo, I am glad you are both there for her now when she needs you.