When a customer really, really dislikes you...and won't shut up about it!

[CatFanatic]

I would be willing to bet that the other customers don't think anything bad about you when they hear her (loud) remarks. I've heard similar things and all I've ever felt is sorry for the poor staff member. It sounds like she is 'off' enough that it is very noticeable and immediately evident that you are doing exactly what you shoudl be doing.

BTW, your profile pic is full of awwwwwwww!

[sparksals]

Sounds like a whack-a-doodle-loon times infinity.

[Scuba_Dog]

It's clear that she is dealing with some sort of mental illness. 

I'm sorry you've had to deal with some of the behaviours that are a symptom of that.  I think you handled it fine. 

Now, it's up to your boss to decide what to do.  In your shoes, I would go to my boss, explain the situation and leave it to them to handle.

I've really tried to be more aware and therefore (hopefully) more kind and gentle when it comes to people who show symptoms of mental illness.  In most cases, the person has not chosen this for themselves and in my opinion, deserve the all of the patience and kindness I can offer.

Again - I think you handled it with kindness and grace.  Now it's up to your boss to make some decisions.

[SamiHami]

I would be willing to bet that the other customers don't think anything bad about you when they hear her (loud) remarks. I've heard similar things and all I've ever felt is sorry for the poor staff member. It sounds like she is 'off' enough that it is very noticeable and immediately evident that you are doing exactly what you shoudl be doing.

BTW, your profile pic is full of awwwwwwww!

 :)That's my little pillow thief!

[LEMon]

The challenge with the way you are approaching this problem is you want to change her.  Only one person you can change - you.  So stick with what you are focusing on and let go of her impacting you at all.

Personally I would focus on how hard it must be to be her.  Can you imagine what that level of upset regularily would do to you?  Perhaps feeling sorry for her will allow you to let go of the negative impact she is currently having on you.

[PeterM]

I think whenever she shows up you should sneak outside and jimmy her trunk open.

I'm willing to concede the faint possibility that this course of action would be neither polite nor wise.

[oceanus]

I would not "kill her with kindness" and I certainly would not hide from her (even if that was possible).

When she starts in, call your supervisor.  Boss should be handling the disruption, even if it means escorting her out.

@PeterM.
or..........."Mrs. X, we just got a call from Costco.  They need to meet with you right away!  Hurry!"

[Raintree]

Agreed that something is not quite right with her mentally, and it's sad. Aggravating to deal with, but easier not to get angry when you look at it that way.

By the way, I once had a job in one of those post offices in the back of a gift store. I have had other customer service jobs as well, but I have to say, nothing compares with the bat poo craziness or just downright nastiness of post office customers. What is it about post offices that attract the crazies? I had one person (adult) throw a temper tantrum on me because I required her to sign for a parcel. The sender had used a service that required a signature of receipt. I wanted to say, "Well then tell your friends not to send you packages that require a signature if it offends you so much" but I refrained.

[SamiHami]

I think whenever she shows up you should sneak outside and jimmy her trunk open.

I'm willing to concede the faint possibility that this course of action would be neither polite nor wise.

If I thought I could get away with it...maybe! 

[crella]

Many people with dementia get fixated on a 'bad guy' who, in their minds, is responsible for all their problems. For FIL it was someone who worked for my husband. Nicest guy in the world, but the devil incarnate for FIL for absolutely no reason. Flew into a raging tirade whenever he saw him. You might try being extra nice etc but if you're 'it' you won't be able to do much about it . It 's a characteristic of the disease process, Stage 4-5, roughly.

[oceanus]

Many people with dementia get fixated on a 'bad guy' who, in their minds, is responsible for all their problems. For FIL it was someone who worked for my husband. Nicest guy in the world, but the devil incarnate for FIL for absolutely no reason. Flew into a raging tirade whenever he saw him. You might try being extra nice etc but if you're 'it' you won't be able to do much about it . It 's a characteristic of the disease process, Stage 4-5, roughly.

We don't know the woman has dementia.  I don't think we should get into medical diagnosing.

[Scuba_Dog]

Many people with dementia get fixated on a 'bad guy' who, in their minds, is responsible for all their problems. For FIL it was someone who worked for my husband. Nicest guy in the world, but the devil incarnate for FIL for absolutely no reason. Flew into a raging tirade whenever he saw him. You might try being extra nice etc but if you're 'it' you won't be able to do much about it . It 's a characteristic of the disease process, Stage 4-5, roughly.

We don't know the woman has dementia.  I don't think we should get into medical diagnosing.

The post was about her FIL's stage in dementia - not the woman in the op.

It would be nice if we could stop with the leveling of mocking names that are attributed to mental illness.  It's not funny and it's most certainly not polite. 

[oceanus]

The post was about her FIL's stage in dementia - not the woman in the op.

Actually, the last two sentences are about the woman in the op - the subject of the thread - and the conclusion is drawn that she has dementia.

Specifically,   
"You might try being extra nice etc but if you're 'it' you won't be able to do much about it . It 's a characteristic of the disease process, Stage 4-5, roughly."

We don't know that, and I believe medical diagnosing is against ehell rules.

[Scuba_Dog]

The post was about her FIL's stage in dementia - not the woman in the op.

Actually, the last two sentences are about the woman in the op - the subject of the thread - and the conclusion is drawn that she has dementia.

Specifically,   
"You might try being extra nice etc but if you're 'it' you won't be able to do much about it . It 's a characteristic of the disease process, Stage 4-5, roughly."

We don't know that, and I believe medical diagnosing is against ehell rules.

Report it to a moderator then.

[Audrey Quest]

I don't think you can stop a crazy person from acting crazy as long as they aren't acting too crazy.  I think you just need to ignore her.  At some point, if her behavior continues or worsens, your employer may have to take steps to keep her from coming into the place of business.
 
As far as what happened to spark this, I don't know what the policies are, but I would refrain from sealing an envelope for anyone else.  Hand them the envelope and let them put into what they want sent.  Then, if they mess it up, its on them.  When its their fault and they had to pay for the unusable postage, I doubt they would be so insistent on it being "neat."

Of course that would presume that the person is reasonable which this woman obviously is not.

At least by her acting out so obviously, people know that you are not at fault.