Game Store Hell: Dad Saves Daughter From Propositioning Custy Creep

Call me Gamer Girl (or "GG" for short), as I work in a small video game store.

Being the only female employee, I get my fair share of attention and good-natured ribbing from the customers. 95% of them are polite and respectful. However, "CC" (or Creeper Customer), is not one of them. He comes into the store on average 4 times a week (almost always on the days I'm working), and makes sexist, disparaging comments to me.

It's gotten to the point where the manager will shoo me into the back room when Creeper Custy is coming. However, he spends lots of money and hasn't said something bad enough to get barred, so I suck it up and deal.

The other day I found myself the only employee working in the store. The manager was on vacation and I couldn't get anyone else in. Luckily it was a slow day and my Dad (who's also a gamer), stopped in to say Hi. I was feeling pretty good until who else but Creeper walks in.

My stomach drops.

My dad notices him and steps away from the counter to browse. CC looks around and asks "You the only one working today, sweetie?"

I grit my teeth and say yes, then try to change the subject by asking if he was looking for something in particular. He leans in and gives a creepy smile. "Well, I was going to buy some games, but since your boss isn't here I think I want you to have the money instead. But you're going to have to work for it."

He raises his eyebrow and nods his head toward the storage room. It takes me a few seconds before it clicks. He's propositioning me! My face flushes and I stammer out "If you're hinting at what I think you are, then you have to leave. Now." He scoffs and says he was only joking and not to be such a prude.

I'm about to call my manager on his emergency line when I see my dad, who I completely forgot was in the store, walk up behind Creeper and tap him on the shoulder.

Now, my dad is 6'3, a former rugby player and very intimidating. When CC turns around, my dad grabs him by the collar, gets right in his face and growls "You piece of shit, did you just proposition my daughter? You're going to apologize to her and then leave or we're going to have a problem."

Creeper turns back to me, pale as a ghost and mutters "sorry" before running out of the store.

I call my manager and tell him what just happened, figuring this was going to be thing that would finally get CC banned. Nope. Manager says I handled things well and says he'll have a talk with Creeper about his behavior when he gets back.

Are you shitting me? While I appreciate that my manager is taking steps to make things right, the fact this asshole offering me money for sex WHILE I'M WORKING isn't enough to warrant a ban is infuriating.

My dad isn't too happy either and says he will be having his own talk with the manager, so we'll see what happens.

--GG

Comments

[Cherry IScream]

Don't you just love assholes who think that they can justify being completely inappropriate with the words "just kidding!"

What a douchebag. You need to make a note of every time he says something inappropriate to you. It's possible that management don't realise quite what a problem this is becoming, whereas if you can show them pages of separate incidents, they'll have no choice but to act.

[Mcarp555]

I think Dad needs to also have a talk with the Manager's boss and suggest that perhaps the local newspaper would be interested in a good story about how the store allows creepy custys to proposition female employees.

[L]

You know, the police might also be interested that this man solicited sex. It's sexual harassment, plain and simple, and the manager shouldn't be able to stop you from filing charges. It's certainly not part of your job!

[DXKramer]

If management does not doing anything, call the police.

[Brayn]

The guy broke the law and you have a witness. It's not even up for debate. If he comes into the store again call the police. Fuck your spineless idiot manager, there's no such thing as having to do something bad enough to get barred, management have the right to refuse service to anyone without a reason.

[Julia]

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

*ahem*

When I worked at Hoarders, we had creepers banned for far less. I agree with the others, call the police.

[Kay]

Go, Dad!

When you talk with your manager, make it clear that you felt decidedly unsafe and that you think you lucked out that your father was there to run the guy off.

In addition to calling the police non-emergency number and seeing if you can file a report (assuming you want to) you might also want to call your company's HR and see if corporate has any policies in place to cover this. If it is left up to the manager you're out of luck but there could be something you can use to get the guy banned.

Sorry that happened to you. Nice job keeping your cool, though.

[Evie]

What a fucking freak. I hate creeps like that. Good on your dad for putting the fear of God in him.

[Delusional Convenience Store Clerk]

Call the FUCKING police. It would be ignorant of you not to. That guy actually offered you money for sex & your manager isn't banning him from the store? FUCK THAT. Get a restraining order, present a copy to your manager, let that bitch of a manager swallow that.

Y'wanna know why? Because people like Creepy Customer are fledgling rapists. They already don't respect women enough to ask that sort of disgusting trash, so what is next, huh? YOU TAKE MEASURES TO ENSURE YOUR SAFETY. Do not leave your workplace alone, have soene there that you know if you ever have to close.

This is so seriously wrong that I am infuriated.

[Hellbound Alleee]

Is there an HR for your store? Go there.

[Wolfycat]

No. No. No. NO just sucking it up and dealing with it. Your manager is an asshole and doesn't give a shit about you. If your dad wasn't there, who knows what could have happened? The guy could have fucking tackled you and dragged you to the storage room and did who knows what. What about next time when you're left alone in the store and creeper comes in? I would nip the problem in the bud RIGHT NOW. Report him. Document any incidents. Tell your manager that you want the asshole banned. Your well being is more important than some store.

[Bookstore Slave]

Argle blargle! My skin just crawled so hard it's now hiding under the sofa. Anybody able to help me pull it back out?

I add my vote to everyone else's. Call the police and your boss's boss, or however high up the chain of command you need to go to get this resolved.

[photoslave]

This guy went from creepy to stalker, and your manager won't do anything? Screw that! Next time he's in, get his name and address by pretending you're interested. Then give it to the police.

[Soft Ice Girl]

First, I would talk to the manager. He should ban the asshole. If he disagrees after having heard the whole story, and how you felt unsafe, you should go over his head to his boss.
Second, you should file charges against this motherfucking asshole.

Besides: I understand that you used to suck it up until now, and I would have, too. But this is point that is not allowed to be crossed, or else your well-being is in danger.

[cspradlin]

If your country/state allows it, I highly suggest taking a Concealed Carry class and getting the permit. FUCK the store policies, what if there is no one around next time?

Call the police, maybe the news as well. That will really let not only the manager, but the whole company know they suck and are shitty people.

[Lady Red]

Wow forget your manager, I agree with the others here and call the police. Also talk to HR because that guy needs to be banned pronto and your manager should not wait for him to do something. What he did right then was enough for a banning , and make sure you write stuff down when he does do something so you have proof on why he needs to be banned.

[Stockroom Slave]

I'm with everyone else - you need to push to get the guy barred, and you should definitely report the incident. If he gets away with this, he'll most likely try it on other people - and may very well have done so already. He needs to see that disgusting behaviour like this has consequences.

[MahiMahi]

Yay for Papa bear.
But on a serious note, you should tell the manager it is NOT okay to just let it slide.

[MamaZoe]

I SOOO wanna know how the promised conversation between Spineless Manager and your father goes!

You WILL keep us posted, won't you? Please?!?

[Nic]

I'm somewhat surprised that you didn't get in trouble for your dad being there and doing that. In this fucked-up world, I could see that as grounds for termination somehow. That being said, do NOT let this go.

[Aunty]

Please, please, please do what everyone has suggested. Scum like that gets off on harassing women and it gets worse the longer it goes on. Your manager is scum too, for allowing it to go on.

[pagemaster]

Go FAR above your manager. Who by all means is endangering you.

[Petey]

Go above your managers head if he doesn't do anything, and definitely call the police and report the incident. I'm pretty sure he's done enough to justify a restraining order, and reporting him puts everything on the record. I disagree with photoslave on pretending to be interested to get his information, because he is already stalking you and in his head probably thinks you are just playing hard to get. If you show any interest - even fake interest - he could escalate to following you home after a shift. Pepper spray and/or mace are always a good thing to have on hand as well.

[photoslave]

Sorry Petey, I was tired when I wrote that and not thinking. A chronic problem I suffer from :/ I guess next time he's in, don't even talk to him. Go into the storage room, and call the cops from your cell. Fuck store policy and your manager.

[Chicajojobe]

I agree go above your manager's head to HR and make it clear you felt that threatened. Not just that the guy was rude and inappropriate, that you felt you were in danger!

Also, if he comes back never again tell him you're in the store alone. Refuse to answer the question. Dodge the question by any means necessary, and if he won't let up lie.

[NC Tony]

I agree with everyone else. Fuck going over your managers head, go straight to the police and the press, I'm sure your managers boss would just LOVE the negative publicity. In the meantime, get yourself some mace. Next time he comes in, have it IN HAND, even if you're fully staffed. Guys like this never learn unless something is done, and since your dad can't be there all the time the next best thing is getting this asshole banned (and possibly arrested).

[Kay]

Before you think about carrying mace or pepper spray, check your local laws. Some cities/states/what have you get weird about stuff like that.

[Redheadactress]

Do you live in a state where prostitution is illegal? If so, even propositioning prostitution is illegal. You could have him arrested not only for harassment, but for propositioning and soliciting. BAM.

[Humor_Me]

Police. Restraining order. Pepper spray. HR. That guy is a total creep and shouldn't be anywhere near you no matter what your manager says. Thank heavens your dad was there and stood up for you. Give your dad a hug from me.

[Framer-Fatal]

I agree with all the above. If your dad hadn't been there, I don't doubt that the guy may have waited until the other "customer" was gone and then forced himself on you. He is a serious danger. Go to the police and file a report. Then go to your manager and tell him you have filed a report because you seriously felt threatened, and the guy is banned, period. Have your dad come along, let him give the manager an earful. If he balks or tries to punish you at all, go above him immediately. If you can legally carry pepper spray, by all means get it and keep it in your most handy pocket.
And if you ever see the guy again, get away from him and call the cops. Whether or not you want to tell him "I'm calling the police" while you get away is up to you. Also alert all your coworkers. They likely have a lot more care for your well being than your idiot manager does.

[Book Baby]

Screw being nice. Get a Louisville Slugger and USE IT. If you aren't able to defend yourself, who will? If your dd hadn't been there, God knows what may have happened.

Keep us posted.

[Burger Bitch]

That's fucking disgusting and I think you should have a talk with the head boss or the police.

The fact that your manager won't ban him for that is just ridiculous.

[Bitch Boy]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again when dealing with stalkers:

If your country, state, county, whatever, allows it, get a freaking stun gun!

http://www.beststungun.com/streetwise-stun-gun-pen.html

http://www.beststungun.com/immobilizer-cell-phone-stun-gun.html

Better to live and go to trial for assault rather than be found dead in a dumpster...

Just my $0.02

This of course means that I could also be wrong...

[Bitch Boy]

I should probably point out that I just ordered the stun pen to replace a much older (but perfectly functional) unit that I gave to my parents. Some shady break-ins have been happening in the neighborhood and police have issued warnings concerning locking doors, keeping a light or two on, et cetera et cetera...

[Ted the 'Flayer]

I understand the situation GG is in, I've been there before. And it's hard to stand up for yourself when you know that you're going to be fired and possibly not find another job for months for doing so. And creeps like this can do a surprising amount of damage by spreading the word to his fellow sperg-lords who literally have nothing better to do than this.

[JenEm]

Wow, just wow. I agree with everyone above: if he isn't banned for that, get a damn restraining order. That's scary shit, your personal well being could be at risk (and I'm sure your company doesn't want a lawsuit for enabling that).

What kind of mongoloid moist-lipped child toucher thinks that that kind of behavior is ever acceptable anywhere?

Your dad should have curb-stomped that bastard.

[KittyKatzchen]

Stun gun. Pepper spray. HR. Cops. Body Guards. Scary Father. Scary guy friend. Scary freaking regular. Hit man. Rigged anvil trap. Pistol. Poison. Flame thrower. Chris Hansen.

All of these options are acceptable.

[Minidoc]

I agree with everybody else: your manager is putting you in danger by allowing this POS in the store. I am so glad your dad was there. Otherwise this creep might have decided to force you. Go over your idiot manager's head, carry whatever sort of self-defense item is legal where you live, and make it clear you will NOT serve CC again. If he comes in the store when you are alone, lock yourself in the back and call the cops.