Worker defies rude customer and wins internet support: 'I'm done'

There are few things more satisfying than seeing someone stand up for themselves—especially when they’re just trying to do their job and someone else is being a right pain in the neck.

That’s exactly what played out at a Coles supermarket recently, prompting a wave of praise across social media.

For many Aussies, it was a refreshing moment of backbone in a world where workers often cop the brunt of bad behaviour.


Let’s set the scene: It’s a regular day at Coles, and a worker is manning the self-serve checkouts.

In strolls a customer with his mate, and instead of doing their shopping like everyone else, they decide to try their luck at buying just two eggs.

Now, anyone who’s ever shopped at Coles knows eggs come in cartons—half a dozen, a dozen, or more. But these two thought they’d be clever and pay for just a couple.


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A Coles worker snaps at mocking customers after a loose egg argument. Credit: TikTok


The worker, keeping her cool, explained the obvious: ‘Eggs don’t come individually. They come in the boxes.’

But the customer, determined to keep the joke going, asked if she could ring them up anyway.

‘No, sorry,’ she replied, shaking her head. ‘You have to get them in a box.’


Not satisfied, the customer pressed on: ‘So we have to buy a whole pack if we want them?’

The worker, clearly running out of patience, told them to check the carton and then, in a moment that’s since gone viral, told them to ‘get the f*** out, I’m done.’

Now, before you clutch your pearls, let’s be honest—most of us have seen or even experienced this kind of behaviour before.

Some people just love to push buttons, especially when they think they’re being funny at someone else’s expense.

But this Coles worker wasn’t having a bar of it, and her blunt response has struck a chord with Aussies everywhere.


The saga didn’t end there. The pair, still filming, tried their luck at another checkout, complaining that they only wanted to make an omelette.

Another staff member, keeping her composure, told them, ‘We know what you’re doing though.’

Meanwhile, the original worker was waiting for them at the exit, giving them a sarcastic round of applause as they left.

‘Thank you so much. We really appreciate you coming. I’ll give you a hand. Thank you so much,’ she said, as the pair bowed and exited the store.

The customer, perhaps thinking he’d get a laugh or some sympathy, posted the footage online with the caption: ‘Worker crashes out over eggs.’


But the internet wasn’t having it. Instead of siding with the customers, social media users rallied behind the Coles worker.

Comments poured in labelling the customers ‘annoying’ and pointing out that it wasn’t the worker’s fault. One person summed it up perfectly: ‘When do we laugh?’

Coles itself weighed in, with a spokesperson saying, ‘Coles does not tolerate abuse or antisocial behaviour in our stores. While we do not condone the language used, this video clearly shows our team member being antagonised and disrespected for the job they are trying to do.’

Why are Aussies so firmly on the workers’ side? It’s simple: we value fairness, respect, and a good sense of humour—but not at someone else’s expense.

Retail workers have a tough enough job as it is, especially in the current climate, and they shouldn’t have to put up with customers trying to make a spectacle out of them for a few cheap laughs.


This incident also highlights a bigger issue: the rise of so-called ‘prank’ videos and social media stunts in public places.

While some might find them funny, more often than not, they just make life harder for everyday workers who are simply trying to do their jobs.

It’s a reminder that a little kindness and common sense go a long way.

So, next time you’re at the shops, spare a thought for the staff. They’re the ones keeping the shelves stocked, the checkouts running, and the whole place ticking over.

And if you see someone trying to be a smart alec, maybe give the worker a supportive smile—or even a round of applause!
Key Takeaways
  • A Coles worker firmly told a pair of customers to 'get the f*** out' after they tried to buy loose eggs and continued to mock and antagonise her.
  • The incident was caught on video and shared online by one of the customers, but social media users overwhelmingly supported the Coles worker, calling out the customers' annoying behaviour.
  • Coles management stated they do not tolerate abuse or antisocial behaviour towards their staff, acknowledging the worker was provoked during the incident, though they didn’t condone her language.
  • The situation highlights public support for retail staff standing up to disrespectful customers, with online commenters backing the worker’s response and criticising the customers’ antics.
Have you ever witnessed or experienced something similar while out shopping? Do you think the worker was right to stand her ground, or should she have handled it differently? We’d love to hear your thoughts and stories in the comments below.

Read more: Shopper boycotts Aussie supermarket giant after 'awkward' encounter in-store
 

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Good on the staff at Coles. They handled it well.

My daughter is a McDonald's Manager and would get so many people taking their 3/4 eaten burger meal back to the counter stating it was cold.
My daughter always made sure the food was fresh and hot.

When I worked in bridal we would get a man Phil book an appointment to try dresses on, would turn up to appointment and let us know he was there but would leave before we served him.
He was a large man who always came in wearing jeans, a flannelette shirt and egg boots. He did this many times and we believe he was waiting for us to deny him because he was male then sue us for discrimination..

Really strange people out there
This Phil guy. Did he look a lot Michelle Obama? :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:
 
Good on the staff at Coles. They handled it well.

My daughter is a McDonald's Manager and would get so many people taking their 3/4 eaten burger meal back to the counter stating it was cold.
My daughter always made sure the food was fresh and hot.

When I worked in bridal we would get a man Phil book an appointment to try dresses on, would turn up to appointment and let us know he was there but would leave before we served him.
He was a large man who always came in wearing jeans, a flannelette shirt and egg boots. He did this many times and we believe he was waiting for us to deny him because he was male then sue us for discrimination..

Really strange people out there
well, i would not have known you worked in bridal.
 
On Thursday I was in Bunnings and as usual, had a chat with the lady on the checkout. It doesn't hurt to treat servers as human beings. I was absolutely stunned to hear that she cops abuse at least 5 times a day. What the hell is the world coming to, when this is one persons experience, when another million in similar jobs could be experiencing the same? What percentage of our population are just abusers?
you have used the terminology SERVERS, surely that is being a bit up yourself.
 
Good on her and good on Coles for backing their staff!! These employees do not get paid enough, to take the abuse that some customers give them, they are only doing their job!!
I get so pissed off when customers don't even say thank you to the staff when they leave, it is just out right rude and if a staff member is getting a hard time from a customer that I am behind, well, god help them, because I cannot help myself and have a go on behalf of the poor staff member who silently stands there!! I have a mouth and don't mind using it when deemed necessary and I don't back down either! I might look old, but I have an ugly side, when my cage is rattled!!
 
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Good to see Coles employees standing their ground. If a wanted a peanut butter sandwich and. Does that mean I can grab 2 slices of bread, a scrape of margarine and a tbs of peanut butter! These kids are just an example of the future. So sad
 
Yes I have this man always has a go at the staff so I waited for him every time the lady tried to pack his groceries he let her have it swearing his head off at her so I said you want your groceries packed this way Do it yourself so I took them out of the bag and said now pack them yourself he said you can’t do that I just did.
 

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