By bdk_2020 - 17/01/2010 00:16 - United Kingdom

Today, whilst working at the supermarket, a man came through my checkout who couldn't open the plastic bags. I thought it would be a laugh to make fun of him because of it, saying "Come on! What's wrong with you?". Turns out he has arthritis. And Parkinson's Disease. He left, more than angry. FML
I agree, your life sucks 6 285
You deserved it 68 076

bdk_2020 tells us more.

Ok. I've tried explaining why I did what I did, but I'm still getting the death threats and a lot of the word '****' being used to show your disdain. I would like to tell you what really happened, not because I want you on my side or I'm trying to defend what I did. I just want you to see that what happened was based on simple stupidity and not because I'm the spawn of satan. So here's you some of the stuff you've all assumed that I would like to put right: - 1. This man was not at all elderly. He must have been 45-50 years old. You don't have to be elderly to have Parkinson's Disease. See Michael J. Fox for proof of that. 2. I offered to pack for him before he started struggling himself. He was alone, so I felt I should help him. He declined. That's why I thought he could do it himself. 3. I had no idea he was suffering from arthritis or Parkinson's Disease. I'd never met him before. He was struggling to open the bags, like myself and most people do, and so I made the very stupid comment based on that. 4. No, I didn't notice the shaking associated with Parkinson's Disease. I know that people think Cashier's are all idiots, wasters and the job is really easy, but you do have to focus on the screen in front of you to check the identity and the price of the item is correct. Therefore, I was barely focusing on his movements or his mannerisms. I was just doing what I'm paid to do. 5. As soon as he told me what was wrong, and I then focused on him properly, I then noticed he had a mild tremor in his hands. 6. I immediately apologised for what I said, feeling terrible. I then opened all the bags for him and offered to pack. He declined because, like you, he thought I had made fun of him because of his disability. I tried to explain, but he didn't want to hear. 7. If I knew he was struggling because he had a medical reason for not being able to open the bags, I would never had said it and would have made him let me pack. I would hate it if I saw someone who clearly had a disability not being able to do something and I'm just standing there ignoring it - That IS evil. 8. He left angry and hurt. I was left feeling horrible and guilty for being so stupid. 9. I wanted to post the FML not to get sympathy. As I said, I felt terrbile for upsetting him, and I just wanted to get it off my chest. I wanted to show people how much of an ass I'd been that day. 10. FML is all about bad things that have happened to you or that you have done. I felt that my stupidity for saying that to a man I didn't know was an FML moment. In retrospect, I realise that the way I worded the FML sounds like I was being cruel. I can understand why you are all upset. But to say I deserve to die or have all this offensive language thrown in my direction was ok? You know nothing about me. To assume that I always behave like this, that I'm this evil, vindictive bastard, based on one stupid comment... Well, I really don't know. Furthermore, why would I post this as an FML moment if I enjoy being horrible to people? It's because I hate myself for being so stupid that I posted this. Again, I really am sorry if I offended anyone. The last thing I wanted was all of this, so I just hope this post will clears it all up.

Top comments

Comments

you must be such a dumbass. my grandad has parkinsons and arthritis. how the hell could you miss it? he would have been swaying around and looked like he was drunk! what the hell is wrong with you, bell end?!?

"Do us all a favour & just kill yourself?" Thats a bit harsh. But what kind of ****** insensitive bitch are you? YDI.

Idontcare123456 0

YDI...Maybe you should keep your mouth shut..Your lucky you didn't get fired. Last time i checked you were suppose to treat the costumer with respect...jerk!

That's just rude! I hope you got fired!

bet your one of the people I beat the shit out of for making fun of others in highschools. pussy ass ******. wait no I don't want to affend any homosexuals or people with a ****** by using that insult on you, I'm lost for words

newsgit 0

you only need to read "i thought it would be funny to make fun off him" before you click YDI.

In what kind of supermarket do you work? I've worked part time in a supermarket when I was in high school and we were always told to treat the customers with the utmost respect, no matter how annoying (or how many times they've been denied access to the supermarket) they might be. You talk to/help them as politely as possible and under no circumstances do you make fun of them! Hope the customer filed a complaint and your boss fires you! YTDI!

b1a2n3a4n5a6s 0

Wow OP, way to fail at being a decent human being. YDI for being a complete and total ******* asshole. I hope that guy talked to your manager, because it's dickheads like you that need to be fired.

Thanks all for calling me an asshole, but I would like to explain what actually happened. This website only allows you to type 300 characters, so I couldn't fully tell the story. Firstly, you guys have no idea about 'how' I said what I said. I didn't say it maliciously, or in a taunting manner. I said it as minor tease, after he began laughing TO HIMSELF because he couldn't open them. I only said it because of that reason. I then said "I guess it's because all us men are useless at packing, right?". After I knew his situation, I apologised over and over, and I DID offer to pack all his shopping for him. I know it was stupid of me to say it, but that's the reason why I'm on this website. I honestly wasn't trying to make fun of him or be cruel.... It was just a spur of the moment stupid comment, Anyways, just wanted clear it up before I start getting death threats...

The fact is, you said it. Not your place to. He probably laughed in embarrassment - that's not an invitation for open season on the guy. I self-deprecate all the time to break the ice (and because I've been conditioned to), but that doesn't mean I won't be offended if some random asshole I've never met decides to open their mouth and have a go at me. If you're looking for a chance to redeem yourself, that chance will only come if you keep your mouth shut next time, if you can realize that people have situations beyond your awareness and if you can be respectful of that.

I'm not trying to redeem myself. The whole point of this website is to tell people some of the horrible things that have happened to you or you have done that make you feel terrible about yourself. What happened then was one of those moments. You and all these other people are making out like I make a habit of being cruel to people - You've never met me before. I hate bullies. I condone making fun of people. I agree 100% with you all that it was horrible of me to say that. But surely you've said something really stupid without really thinking about it beforehand? Again, I can only say that it was an incredibly stupid thing to say, and I now know that I need to think before I speak. Sorry.

I'm honestly not trying to be a grammar nazi, but if I'm following you correctly, I think you mean you DON'T condone making fun of people. It changes the whole context of what you're saying without that vital word, lol. But again, if I'm following you correctly, I do see what you're saying. In my case, I grew up being judged and criticized, even unintentionally, and from the get go it was a habit to treat others the way I wanted to be treated. I know not everybody has those ethics, and some people choose not to have them even when a situation occurs where the idea hits them square in the face. The reason I'm so adamant about trying to get people to realize the effect they have on others, is because people have said things to me not knowing my situation and having no idea that what they said was hitting home -- and I understand that it wasn't malicious...but it didn't make the sting any less severe. And then of course, you've got the naive people that run around thinking it's perfectly okay to insult everybody in their path, and not have it bite them in the ass someday.