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.


1754015464944.png
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
 

Seniors Discount Club

Sponsored content

Info
Loading data . . .
I have witnessed abusive behaviour at the checkout many times and have had to bite my tongue for fear of the backlash. My grandson worked at Woolworths supermarket after college , and after many nasty customers ,stood his ground when one woman started telling him how to pack , he told her very smartly ,IF YOU DONT LIKE The WAY I PACK GO TO SELF SERVE AND DO IT YOURSELF! People waiting thanked him for standing up to her. He is a very shy and quiet young man .
 
Now I don't like people using the F or C word as I think its demeaning to women but these staff members controlled themselves pretty good and the lass from the self serve wow standing and clapping as they left and the little parting shot of let me give you a hand was CLASSIC well done, and Coles I applaud you for backing your staff member it's really about time that people realised these people are trying to do a good job for the firm and for the customers with little Thank You from Most usually people are complainers like the one my Front End Controller had to query, my little boss she would have been 150cm in high heels had ask to check a bag of a man who refused to open it for the cashier when boss asked he turned around and decked her with his closed fist this brave man stood about 178cm needless to say she hit the floor .......and these lazy sods who don't want to work a real job just want to make fun of the ones who help keep our world running in their own small way as anyone who works or has worked does, these two are just a waste of space.
 
I was in Coles the other day and the lady who brings the trolleys in was sweeping floors etc but she is always working so hard and I told her so and she really appreciated the feedback. It used to be guys and trust me they didn't work half as hard and were always slacking off. Coles has a great worker with her and I hope they appreciate her.
 
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?
 
When hubby and I go shopping he usually takes out his card and pays and I stand back but both of us always say ‘thank you’ to the cashier. Not hard to do no matter how difficult your own day has been. Those people stand for hours every day to serve us and do their jobs while we sit in cars or at home watching TV or doing other things. This cashier should have told those two idiots to buy a carton of 6 eggs so they could have omelettes over 3 days and wouldn’t need to come out again twice for another two eggs! Absolute idiots and rude individuals.
 
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
 
100% the worker did the right thing in speaking up for herself and not tolerating the painful customers bad behaviour. I am also pleased (a bit surprised too) that Coles gave their employee their backing, which is as it should be
but it doesn’t always happen!
Like some companies will NOT allow their staff to hang up on abusive telephone customers!! Sorry, it’s one warning then a call termination if the behaviour continues, with a note left on customer file of time of call etc!
Bit like your employer telling you to stand still and wait for the client to thump you!! It ain’t happening Boss!!
 
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
Yeah well! This sites a good example of that hey 🤣🌞
 
It is chilly here in Perth and raining now where I live though did manage to get a 20 minute walk in before the rain started. Looks like it has set in for the day.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Miss Chris and DLHM
Colette 3799 I love your answer good comeback How could they not pass that offer up liked to have heard their reaction to that .My home carer ( bit of a joker)took me shopping to Aldi one day and I bought a packet of their toilet paper called confidence . The chap at checkout said “ do you want a receipt ?” OH YES she said being funny WE might want to bring it back! Well couple of customers standing behind me had a giggle . Without a blink of an eye and smarter than her HE SAID “ I’m sure you will be quite happy after all you will have the RING OF CONFIDENCE” 🤭 laughter then . Me I could have opened the roll then.
 

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else
  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×