A Worker Who Is Impatient With Customers

Q: In our neighborhood, there’s a discounted sale of grocery items and vegetables every week. The sale is a branch of a national network. But every week, when we come to collect the items we ordered, we have to deal with the impatience of the one in charge. He gets upset and answers curtly to questions like where particular items are stacked. Am I allowed to complain about him to the administrators?

A: First, the questioner should speak directly to the one in charge and politely explain the problem. She can say that he apparently doesn’t realize that people expect gracious service, especially at a chessed sale that is part of a known national network founded for helping others. Therefore, he is asked to give the people a good feeling, and that will multiply the value of his chessed tenfold.

Alternately, this can be done in writing, in a letter that will be delivered to the person in charge.

If things do not change, the questioner can speak to the administrators, being careful not to exaggerate the problem. On the contrary, it is best, meanwhile, to tone down the report, and surely, this will help, b’ezras Hashem.

If this does not help either, it would be permitted to report the full truth, but without embellishments.

The questions and answers above were taken from the Mishmeres Hasholom pamphlet in Israel. For details and inquiries please e-mail us at office@hasholom.org or call 972-2 5379160.

The views expressed are of the individual author. Readers are encouraged to consult their own posek for guidance.