Kmart shopper lashes out at staff after unexpected question in store
- Replies 0
We’ve all had those days when we’re a bit tired, a bit grumpy, and maybe not quite at our best.
But one Kmart shopper took things to a whole new level recently, erupting into a foul-mouthed tirade at a staff member over what most of us would consider a pretty harmless question.
The drama unfolded at the St Lukes Kmart, where a staff member in the shoe section approached a barefoot customer.
The worker, doing what most retail employees do, simply asked if the man needed help finding shoes. Instead of a polite ‘no thanks’, the customer launched into a heated rant, accusing the staffer of singling him out for not wearing shoes.
‘What the f*** you on about?’ the man snapped, clearly offended. ‘Bro, what are you on about my bare feet? Am I not allowed to wear bare feet in a store?’
To his credit, the Kmart employee kept his cool, calmly explaining that he hadn’t said anything about the man’s lack of footwear.
‘I never said that, sir,’ he replied. ‘I said we’re around the shoes area, so I’m just asking if you have your shoes around or you’re just looking for other pairs of shoes?’
But the customer wasn’t having it. He continued to hurl obscenities, demanding, ‘What the f*** is it to you? I just came in here to buy some work boots. I don’t even want to talk to you. So why are you talking to me for?’
Despite being addressed as ‘sir’ and asked politely to calm down, the customer only grew more agitated, forcing the staff member to back away.
‘It’s not illegal to be barefoot,’ the man shouted, before heading to the checkout to buy work boots and socks.
As he left the store, three staff members approached him, perhaps to check on the situation or offer further assistance.
At this point, the customer admitted he was ‘tired from work’ and ‘upset’, and even apologised for his behaviour.
One staff member suggested it was all a ‘misunderstanding’, and the customer later explained in a follow-up video that he’d left his muddy boots outside the store to avoid making a mess.
He also claimed he felt targeted by the employee and suspected of shoplifting, though another staff member clarified that Kmart doesn’t have a strict policy on footwear—going barefoot is more of a ‘courtesy thing’ than a rule.
This incident raises a few interesting questions for all of us, especially those who’ve spent decades navigating the sometimes tricky world of customer service and retail etiquette.
For many Aussies, especially those who grew up in the era of thongs and bare feet at the local milk bar, going barefoot in public places isn’t all that unusual.
In fact, in some parts of Australia and New Zealand, it’s almost a badge of honour! But times have changed, and most stores now expect customers to wear shoes for hygiene and safety reasons—even if it’s not always strictly enforced.
Kmart, like many retailers, doesn’t have a hard-and-fast rule about footwear, but it’s generally considered good manners (and safer for your toes) to pop on a pair of shoes before heading in.
This story also highlights the challenges faced by retail workers, who are often expected to be mind readers, peacekeepers, and product experts all at once.
The Kmart staffer in this case handled the situation with remarkable patience and professionalism, even in the face of a verbal onslaught.
It’s a good reminder that a little kindness goes a long way—on both sides of the counter.
Most of us have probably had a moment where we’ve snapped at someone in customer service, only to regret it later. And let’s be honest, working in retail isn’t always a walk in the park!
It’s easy for misunderstandings to spiral out of control, especially when we’re tired or stressed. In this case, a simple question about shoes turned into a full-blown confrontation, all because of a bit of miscommunication and some frayed tempers.
So, what can we learn from this? Maybe it’s that we all need to take a deep breath and give each other the benefit of the doubt—whether we’re shopping for work boots or just trying to help someone out.
Credit: TikTok
Have you ever witnessed a customer lose their cool in a shop? Or maybe you’ve worked in retail and have your own stories to share about tricky customers or misunderstandings on the shop floor. Do you think stores should have stricter rules about footwear, or is it all just a storm in a teacup? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below.
Read more: ‘Just put your shoes on!’: Why this supermarket act is causing heated debates
But one Kmart shopper took things to a whole new level recently, erupting into a foul-mouthed tirade at a staff member over what most of us would consider a pretty harmless question.
The drama unfolded at the St Lukes Kmart, where a staff member in the shoe section approached a barefoot customer.
The worker, doing what most retail employees do, simply asked if the man needed help finding shoes. Instead of a polite ‘no thanks’, the customer launched into a heated rant, accusing the staffer of singling him out for not wearing shoes.
‘What the f*** you on about?’ the man snapped, clearly offended. ‘Bro, what are you on about my bare feet? Am I not allowed to wear bare feet in a store?’
A customer verbally abused a Kmart worker after offering help while the man shopped barefoot. Credit: @kingkong_100acc / TikTok
To his credit, the Kmart employee kept his cool, calmly explaining that he hadn’t said anything about the man’s lack of footwear.
‘I never said that, sir,’ he replied. ‘I said we’re around the shoes area, so I’m just asking if you have your shoes around or you’re just looking for other pairs of shoes?’
But the customer wasn’t having it. He continued to hurl obscenities, demanding, ‘What the f*** is it to you? I just came in here to buy some work boots. I don’t even want to talk to you. So why are you talking to me for?’
Despite being addressed as ‘sir’ and asked politely to calm down, the customer only grew more agitated, forcing the staff member to back away.
‘It’s not illegal to be barefoot,’ the man shouted, before heading to the checkout to buy work boots and socks.
As he left the store, three staff members approached him, perhaps to check on the situation or offer further assistance.
At this point, the customer admitted he was ‘tired from work’ and ‘upset’, and even apologised for his behaviour.
One staff member suggested it was all a ‘misunderstanding’, and the customer later explained in a follow-up video that he’d left his muddy boots outside the store to avoid making a mess.
He also claimed he felt targeted by the employee and suspected of shoplifting, though another staff member clarified that Kmart doesn’t have a strict policy on footwear—going barefoot is more of a ‘courtesy thing’ than a rule.
For many Aussies, especially those who grew up in the era of thongs and bare feet at the local milk bar, going barefoot in public places isn’t all that unusual.
In fact, in some parts of Australia and New Zealand, it’s almost a badge of honour! But times have changed, and most stores now expect customers to wear shoes for hygiene and safety reasons—even if it’s not always strictly enforced.
Kmart, like many retailers, doesn’t have a hard-and-fast rule about footwear, but it’s generally considered good manners (and safer for your toes) to pop on a pair of shoes before heading in.
This story also highlights the challenges faced by retail workers, who are often expected to be mind readers, peacekeepers, and product experts all at once.
The Kmart staffer in this case handled the situation with remarkable patience and professionalism, even in the face of a verbal onslaught.
Most of us have probably had a moment where we’ve snapped at someone in customer service, only to regret it later. And let’s be honest, working in retail isn’t always a walk in the park!
It’s easy for misunderstandings to spiral out of control, especially when we’re tired or stressed. In this case, a simple question about shoes turned into a full-blown confrontation, all because of a bit of miscommunication and some frayed tempers.
So, what can we learn from this? Maybe it’s that we all need to take a deep breath and give each other the benefit of the doubt—whether we’re shopping for work boots or just trying to help someone out.
Credit: TikTok
Read more: ‘Just put your shoes on!’: Why this supermarket act is causing heated debates
