A short anecdote: I met up with a friend this weekend at a place that requires check in/admission. I got there first and was already inside when she showed up and got in line. I went in to grab something and wait, but it was taking a while, so I went back to the front to check on my friend. (cont'd)
She was at the counter checking in. The line was long and had been moving slow. There were only 2 workers, and there were releases and stuff to sign, so it was a bit of a process to check in. It had been maybe 5-10 minutes at this point. The woman behind my friend is haranguing the worker. (cont'd)
I smell a plot twist coming up.
It's taking too long, she should be helped immediately, "can't you just check me in" and that crap. Implication is that my friend is the problem and this lady should take priority (neither are true). Worker is calm. They're understaffed and she's helping someone already. Please be patient. (cont'd)
The woman switches to loud passive aggressive "oh, thank you SO much, SO helpful." Being a jerk to this minimum wage worker who is flawlessly polite the whole time. Finally the lady says "thanks for making my autistic child cry!" Presumed autistic child is quietly standing next to her. (cont'd)
And like... what is more destabilizing for an autistic child (any child really) - waiting, or having their adult totally disregulated themselves, yelling at the worker? Waiting is HARD, especially for ND folks, but this woman was just making it all SO MUCH WORSE. For everyone. (cont'd)
I was standing by, ready to step in and deescalate if needed, but my friend finished checking in, so the woman was then helped. And yes, if you're wondering, the woman was white. My friend and the worker were not. Probably not a coincidence, yeah.
There it is
YEP.
And like, I have been angry and huffy in a line before, but I lock that shit down. I'd never harass workers or demand they stop helping the person in front of me and help me instead. Like... the audacity of that just boggles my mind. Anyway, I hope that kid had a nice time despite mom.
ufff