[Danielle G.]

'The worst I've seen': The smell of this customer's clothes was SO BAD - one staff had to wear a gas mask! Was it unreasonable?​

AIBU, which stands for 'Am I Being Unreasonable', is the perfect platform for sharing your thoughts and opinions! So, for today's AIBU discussion, we have this story from Reddit/jimmy_jim_jimz:

Would it be unreasonable if I wore a gas mask for a specific customer?

'I work at a dry cleaners the location I work at does not clean clothes we’re just a pick up and drop off location. My job is basically to categorise clothes tag them and make sure they get sent to the right cleaning process.'

'There’s a specific customer who’s a regular and brings a sack full of clothes which is pretty time consuming however that’s not the problem I have with him. The problem is that his clothes are covered in cat hair and other substances like urine, faeces, and puke. We’re also supposed to check pockets and every time we do he has cat food in there.'

'I don’t like talking bad about customers clothes because it’s really never that bad usually it’s a slightly unpleasant smell which is whatever they’re cleaning their clothes for a reason. This guys clothes however they’re by far the worst I’ve seen. You can see the cat hair going all over the place as he’s taking them out of the bag.'

'The cat hair is all over the counter and all over my coworker and I. I’m not allergic to cats I’ve spent time with cats and never experienced any discomfort, but this guys clothes have so much cat hair that it gets on my face and arms and they get extremely itchy.'

'Today, he came I and I washed my arms and face like I usually do when I’m done tagging his clothes. I had told myself I would get gloves just so I wouldn’t have to touch his clothes with my bare hands. That’s not really the problem I have I can always just wash my hands it’s about the cat hair and how itchy it makes my coworker and I.'

'I was thinking about getting a gas mask from Amazon because it’s such a problem. I’m just not sure if it would be too much. I don’t want to offend the customer but it’s just so uncomfortable for my coworker and I. So, would it be unreasonable if I wore a gas mask and gloves to take care of this customer?'

 

[Miss Jewel]

I think a gas mask is possibly over the top, but a face mask (N95) with a good dollop of Vicks smeared under your nose would work well.

 

[Morgans Orchard]

If it is that bad think I would change my job

 

[Witty]

Maybe it's time for a little "porkie" Can you tell him that you have now been diagnosed with an allergy to cats/dog fur and that you are sorry but you can't touch his clothes anymore. Maybe you could suggest an alternative dry cleaner near by. If not, can you make him check the pockets? Telling him you have an allergy would enable you to wear a mask - covid type one, and to wear gloves as well. Just a thought, imagine what his home is like if his clothes are that bad with all the fur!!!!!

 

[Bridiecat]

Don't think this is a true story