Definition: Given a real-life anecdote of a complex ethical situation, generate a suitable title that describes the main event/root cause of the situation. Imagine that the given text is a social media post, and you have to write the title of the post, so the users can decide to read the main text or not.
Input: Ok I know a lot of posts on here are just for self validation but I really want to know if I'm the asshole. I'm going to try really hard to be objective and not try to let emotions play into my story.


I work for a very well known retailer as a manger. I have been with the company for 7 years with no complaints.


We recently got a new store manager who is very insistent that we uphold all store policies, black and white, as to not discriminate. I agree with this. My old SM would often make exceptions to store policy if a customer was a regular or became irate.


We have a regular customer (we will call her karen.) She is known by name throughout the store as someone who consistently is a hassle to deal with, but we have always been nothing but nice to her. Under old management she always got her way. Two days ago, she tried to do something outside of store policy. I explained to her that since she has been allowed to do this in the past, I would do the same just this once, but she shouldn't expect this in the future. My SM got mad at me for this but I felt it was the right action.


The next day, she comes to shop and asks me to break another store policy regarding returns. I tell her no. She argues. I tell her no again, explaining why. She continues to argue and bully me. This goes on for about 15 minutes until I decide to once more cave in to her wants because my company wants us to appease unruly customers so they won't effect the experience of other customers. I will say I was not the most friendly during this transaction and made it clear that she would not get this treatment in the future. (I did end up getting chewed out by my SM for this choice.) 




I was very worked up and hurt by her treatment of me. One coworker could see that I was feeling upset, and asked what was wrong. I described the situation to her, and pleaded that we all remain on the same page with companies policy from here on out. I will say, I was emotional during this conversation and probably did not sound very professional, but was trying to keep quiet.




Ten minutes later, Karen calls the store and I answer. She asks my name (I give it to her) and she is very angry because she could tell I was "talking shit" about her to my coworker. I did say yes I'm sorry, you did make me feel hurt with your treatment so I vented with a coworker.



My SM isn't upset with me. The customer will most likely report me, which does make me nervous. I shouldn't have talked about a customer on the floor.


I am leaning more towards myself being the asshole here because even if she upset me I should have been professional enough to wait until I was off the sales floor to vent about my feelings.


AITA?

talking shit about a customer in my store and hearing me