Everything’s Perfect…Except the People in Charge of Helping Us

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Everything’s Perfect…Except the People in Charge of Helping Us"

Podcast: Everything's Perfect
Hosts: Autumn Calabrese & Donald Stamper
Episode Date: September 23, 2025

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Overview

This episode of Everything’s Perfect dives into a timely and relatable theme: the frustrating decline of customer service across various industries. Hosts Autumn Calabrese and Donald Stamper share personal stories about disappointing encounters with customer-facing employees at grocery stores, airlines, and even accountants. The conversation explores the sense of powerlessness that can arise in these situations, the emotional aftermath, and the hosts' reflections as former service workers themselves on how things should—and could—be better.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter & Setting the Scene

• The show begins with light-hearted catch-up: Donald recounts trips to Ohio and Arizona, highlighting playful family moments with his young nephew ([02:32]).
• Autumn discusses her progress post-surgery and longing to return more fully to her workout routine.
• The duo jokes about their “Will & Grace” and “Jack & Karen” dynamic ([01:54]).

2. Grocery Store Showdown: When Policy Makes No Sense

• Donald recounts a heated encounter at Fry’s (Kroger) in Avondale, Arizona ([04:35-11:13]), where he and his partner Nell are denied a vodka purchase due to an overly rigid ID policy.

  • Nell’s ID (valid but with a chipped corner) is refused, despite being used nationwide without issue.
  • Even when Donald presents his own ID, the store requires both parties to show “valid” IDs.
  • A customer chimes in claiming it's “state law,” but no such statute exists per their research.
  • The staff’s rude tone and unwillingness to help fuels the frustration.

  “There’s no reason for you to turn—I'm 40 years old, he's 33, we both have our identification. If you have some company policy that you can't accept his ID, that's fine, but you can accept mine.”
  – Donald, [07:02]

  “That's like saying, I'm buying alcohol with Dominic with me, and if he's not 21, I can't buy the alcohol.”
  – Autumn, [07:15]

• Discussion on whether to escalate by complaint or social media ('Should I pull out my phone and record?') ([10:39-11:13] & [35:20-36:18]).

3. Airline Aggravation: When Employees Wield Too Much Power

• Autumn retells a distressing JetBlue experience en route to host a friend's birthday in Florida ([11:35-19:37]):

  • Despite being a loyal first-class passenger, she's arbitrarily moved from her seat, then berated by crew for asking questions.
  • Calmly complying, she’s nonetheless threatened with removal from the flight and public humiliation.
  • Ultimately permitted to fly—provided she “doesn’t talk to anybody.”
  • Finds out her paid-for seat wasn’t broken at all, and someone else takes it.

  “This woman was on a power trip like nothing ever seen before… I was like, am I crazy? Am I saying things a way I don’t understand?”
  – Autumn, [20:04]

• Both hosts empathize about how powerless such situations make customers feel, especially given the imbalance of authority.

  “It’s like you’re an assault, but you can’t fight back.”
  – Donald, [22:01]

4. Service Standards Then vs. Now

• Both hosts have customer service backgrounds (restaurants, retail), lamenting the shift from a "customer is always right" ethos to today’s often adversarial, indifferent, or power-tripping attitudes ([28:21-29:49]).
• Sharing quick anecdotes:
  • Donald’s refusal to leave a fast-food drive-thru window until an order is corrected ([24:17-25:46]).
  • Stories of airport staff and “carry-on size” humiliation, suggesting some policies are more about control than logic ([29:49-34:30]).

5. The Power and Pitfalls of 'Calling Out'

• Debate on whether using social media influence to spotlight negative experiences is justified—a way to demand accountability or just seem petty ([35:20-36:18]).

  “Don’t act right...if this is your customer service, then people should know not to use you.”
  – Autumn, [36:19]

6. Catastrophe by Accountant

• Autumn delivers a jaw-dropping story about years of critical tax mismanagement by a reputable New York financial firm, Adeptus ([36:49-44:52]).

  • Despite being on top of her taxes, she’s reassured all is well and even due a refund—until the IRS notifies her she owes a major sum.
  • The firm never filed her taxes for two years, resulting in penalties, liens, and immense stress.
  • After threatening legal action, Autumn gets a partial refund for their services, but faces a complicated—still ongoing—cleanup.

  “It was two years. [The accountant] never filed my taxes for two years. Nothing. So put me in, like, a horrific legal situation where I could have went to jail. I could have lost my house.”
  – Autumn, [40:10]

7. Social Status, Stereotypes, and Discrimination in Service

• Hosts swap stories about being wrongly judged on appearance while shopping or renting:

  • Autumn's experience with a Range Rover dealer assuming she couldn't afford a vehicle based on her attire ([53:47-56:58]).
  • Donald’s landlord making classist remarks when cash rent left in a mailbox was stolen ([57:51-59:09]).
  • Recap of JLo allegedly being turned away from Chanel; the lesson: "Treat everyone like they're JLo." ([52:22-53:38])

  “Maybe that's the thing in customer service—you should treat everyone like they're JLo.”
  – Donald, [53:26]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s not that I want to use [my following] to get my way…but it feels unjust when you’re treated that way. It’s almost like you’re doing it to do right by the people.”
  – Donald, [42:48]
• “If it happened to me, it happened to somebody else.”
  – Autumn, [43:09]
• “Look, the world is hard enough as it is. I just don’t understand being rude for the sake of being rude.”
  – Autumn, [29:34]
• “You should treat everyone like they're JLo. Like you know they’re JLo.”
  – Donald, [53:26]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:35] – Story begins: Fry’s grocery store ID debacle
• [11:35] – JetBlue seat-changing and flight humiliation
• [19:37] – Reflection on post-incident rumination, gaslighting, and emotional aftermath
• [24:17] – Drive-thru fast-food standoff
• [28:21] – Lament over decline of customer care in retail
• [35:20] – Debating the pros/cons of “putting people on blast” using social media
• [36:49] – Autumn’s accountant/tax horror story
• [52:22] – The JLo Chanel incident
• [53:47] – Prejudgment at the Range Rover dealership
• [57:51] – Cash rent, landlord classism
• [59:41] – Closing thoughts: solidarity and invitation to listeners to share “bad customer service” stories

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Tone & Atmosphere

While the episode is filled with righteous indignation, it remains upbeat and comedic, peppered with sarcasm, empathy, and playful banter. Both hosts keep the energy light even as they recount truly frustrating and even harrowing experiences, offering listeners catharsis, a sense of camaraderie, and a reminder that “the messy middle” is something everyone navigates.

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Listener Call to Action

Have your own customer service horror story?
Email: [e-mail]
The hosts invite listener submissions, especially if they're particularly outrageous.

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Everything’s Perfect is a space to process the imperfect, systemic flaws we all encounter—with a few laughs, deep sighs, and the hope that the world (or at least customer service) will get just a little bit better next time.

Transcript

[A]

You know that what we do is work out condition you travel a whole bunch, don't work out for a while, then lift away. You always act surprised. Every bump I had, I was like, oh, oh, girls, not today. Just be ready.

[B]

Just be ready. I'm trying not to chew in this microphone because last week we ate little fruit snacks while we were filming at the beginning and I was like, oh my God, this is embarrassing.

[A]

So funny because I didn't see this yet, but someone commented on Spotify and was like, enough with the chewing. When I notice others focus, I just realign on my mind trying. But speaking of, why don't I start by sharing one of the five star reviews we got?

[B]

Let's do it.

[A]

So on Monday, Fit Teacher 88 shared. This is a fun podcast. I love the topics that Autumn and Donald are discussing. Definitely more than just fitness, lifestyle trials and soul lifting. I enjoy, enjoy listening to this podcast every week. Well, thank you so much, Teacher 88.

[B]

We love it. We're glad you're here. Thank you for listening. Every week we're bringing you fun topics every time we sit down. What are we talking about today? You just got back from Ohio? Well, no.

[A]

Kind of. Yes. But I immediately. I got back from Ohio and immediately turned around and took a road trip to Arizona.

[B]

Arizona. He just keeps leaving me. And I'm really over your travel schedule.

[A]

It's that post restaurant job itch that I got. Now I'm like, I'm free on the weekends. Well, let me tell you, like, not.

[B]

That I'm either gonna need an invite or you're gonna need to stay your ass foot.

[A]

Oh, you're all open invite.

[B]

Every time I turn around, I'm like, I open Instagram and it's like road trip to Arizona. I'm like, son of a, like, what? He's gone again.

[A]

It was so fun though.

[B]

So did you know you're my Will.

[A]

And you're my Grace?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. I'd rather be Jack and Karen because they were the ones.

[B]

Much better. Oh, definitely a Jack and Karen situation.

[A]

You drink less than approved. Anyways, it was really fun. My nephew. So I have three nieces, I have two dive into the family tree. I have two younger brothers. They each have two kids. And my brother in Arizona and his wife, they have a boy and a girl. Okay. So my nephew just turned 2 and it was really, really fun. It's like a fun age to play with kids.

[B]

Super fun age.

[A]

And it's the first time, like they start to really notice you. And since I've hung Out with him Anyways. And there was a moment we were playing in the playroom and he wasn't tired. He was just like sitting up next to me, grabbing toys, doing different things. And he looked over at me and then he just laid his head on me and I was like, okay, that is all I need.

[B]

That's what gets girls going. Like, I need a baby.

[A]

Yes. But then I'm reminded and this is good. I. When they. When he starts crying and needs to go to bed, Wakes up in the middle of the night. I don't have to be the one. I love being an uncle.

[B]

Uncle Donald.

[A]

How was your weekend?

[B]

Super great. No, I'm like, what did I do? I think it was uneventful.

[A]

Oh, that's good.

[B]

I don't. Honestly, I don't even know what day it is. It was Labor Day weekend, right? It was 17 starts in country songs. Yeah, I didn't do much.

[A]

Oh, that's good.

[B]

I got nothing.

[A]

That's great. I love that. Consistency is key. Ask my sore ass muscles. Like if you just do a little effort.

[B]

Yeah, I saw my girlfriend for a matcha.

[A]

So are you starting to be able to work out a little bit more? Like how farther away from your.

[B]

I'm two months right now, so I've got a few ish more weeks. I'm trying to make it to that three month mark, but let me tell you, those weights are just like calling my name. So I am still doing mostly just all my pilates body weight. I've pulled out the resistance band. So like, because we have our group doing 80 day, so I'll do certain moves from it. Like I'll do all the resistance band stuff. So booty day, like phase one is all resistance band. So I could do that and then some of the moves in aaa. Like I can go through that because I'll just look at the tracker sheets and be like, oh, yeah, okay, okay. I can do these, these, these. And then I might add a little bit more to it. Sliders. I haven't. But no, not the weights yet. So close.

[A]

That's awesome.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So here's the thing. Everything's perfect except customer service. And I had the worst experience while I was away and I want to vent about it.

[B]

Okay. I'm always here for a good vent way. This is gonna be good.

[A]

We were at my. We were at my mom and dad's. My brother and his wife and their kids are there. We're having a family day and Nell wants to make some Moscow Mules. And so he's Like, I'm going to take your car and run to the store and get some stuff. So he got a bottle of vodka. Well, he. In his cart. Some like, of some. All the stuff you need. Also some snacks and chips, hummus, veggie tray stuff just for the family, which is really cute. And he calls me and he's like, they won't accept my ID because it's chipped in the. And so at first I was annoyed. His driver's license, it show. It literally is what he uses for everything else that we need anywhere we go. And we are pretty well traveled couple. Like, we're all over the states all the time, and it's never been an issue. But this. It's not called ral. It's called fries in Arizona. It's the same company is like taking issue with it. So I'm like, okay. So he told him he was going to go get his passport. Well, he then realized he didn't bring his passport to Arizona. So I was like, all right. Right. He came, I went back. They were holding the stuff. I went in the line. I have my id. I'm like, first of all, okay.

[B]

Nell doesn't look like he's 21.

[A]

Thank you. He. He doesn't. He definitely looks old enough. And it's a valid driver's license.

[B]

And you're a grocery store. Like, he's not trying to buy a weapon. He's trying to buy vodka. So. Okay, go ahead. Sorry.

[A]

I get out my ID and my driver's license, and the manager came over, by the way, to handle us. The. The. The cashier didn't even stay. She saw us in line. She called the manager over. But maybe I was like, maybe that's because they have to reopen whatever ticket he rang up. Whatever. And so I have my id and without even looking at my D, he says, I need to see his. And I said, you saw his. It's. You're not accepting it because there's a chip in the corner, which again, doesn't cover up anything. It still scans. He uses it at airports.

[B]

Okay. And why would they need.

[A]

That's like being.

[B]

Okay, I. Sorry. I'm. I'm. I'm fired up for you, but go ahead.

[A]

He says, you both have to have a valid ID for me to sell this to you.

[B]

No, that's like saying, I'm buying alcohol with Dominic with me, and if he's not 21, I can't buy the alcohol.

[A]

Thank you. And. And literally talking about this, getting mad because it felt like we were somehow Being discriminated against. And I was like, he has a valid id, but you're not accepting it because it's chipped. So I'm here with my ID to buy this stuff.

[B]

And now all you're like, now go sit in the car.

[A]

Then they wouldn't sell it to me, Autumn. And I was like, literally I was like, I'm visiting with my mom and dad, my brother and sister in law and niece and nephew are in the pool playing. We're getting this stuff. There's like I said there were veggies and chips and all kinds of stuff that we were bringing everybody. We just want to buy this stuff and go like, this is not this. There's no reason for you to turn. I'm 40 years old, he's 33. We both have our identification. If you have some company policy that you can't accept his id, that's fine, but you can accept mine. He says, not if he doesn't show his. I said, well, how long do I have to wait? He said, you can go back tomorrow.

[B]

Stop it.

[A]

Is it that crazy?

[B]

First of all, you should have pulled out your phone.

[A]

I'm.

[B]

I would have put this on blast so, so fast.

[A]

I thought, I thought it's so interesting being in that situation because. And then there was this.

[B]

So they didn't sell it to you?

[A]

They didn't sell it to me. And there was this woman customer that says, it's true. It's a law in Arizona which I have to say I have not found. So I said, show me the law.

[B]

That makes no sense. Like I said. And so if you're telling me if I'm with my child, right at the grocery store and I want to buy a bottle of wine because my child is underage, I can't buy the bottle of wine. It's not a nightclub. I'm not trying to bring everybody in to buy.

[A]

Exactly. And it would be different if it was some 17 year old or someone came in with a fake ID and they were like, he's definitely trying to buy that. But it's from everything I searched on chat GPT. And it's not a law. And it's a policy. It's a policy. We are two grown adults. And I'm just so mad because the cuff in this situation, it just was not right. And you know what?

[B]

That's not right at all.

[A]

And this, this, the woman who was the teller was giving me a dirty look the whole time. And on the way out I was like, do you have some kind of problem with me, I was like, can you see? I understand, but if you're frustrated by this event, which I don't really know why, would you like to think that we're putting up some fight or causing an issue? But can you see why I'd be upset right now? I'm here with my family. I'm coming to the grocery store to get some things for our gather. And you're not selling it to me.

[B]

And you're 40 and I'm. You're not 21. Where it's like, this could be fake or like you're trying to buy for a minor.

[A]

Yeah. When I was, when my parents were my age, they had a 20 year old, like. Like they almost had a kid who could legally drink. So it's just very annoying to me that that happened. And, and I've been thinking, like, okay, what am I gonna do? Do I write a complaint? It feels so unjust. And these people who were telling me no, I'm like, this is just because it gives you power, but it's so bizarre to me. And I was like, well, I'm gonna about it on the podcast.

[B]

Well, for sure. So what was the name of the grocery store?

[A]

Fries.

[B]

Where in Arizona, because we hate you Fries.

[A]

Yeah, it's in Avondale, Arizona.

[B]

Okay, so boycott that because you are wrong.

[A]

Yeah, it's. It was so wrong. Like, I was so rattled. I was like, I just need a minute to cool off. And you know, I. I even told myself I thought about it and I was like, let's say everything happened the same way. But the manager was like, I'm really sorry. I know there's a way to handle rule or silly. It's. It's just out of my hands. It's what I have to do.

[B]

I could have trouble, said, I can tell you all the snacks.

[A]

Yeah, well, they would have done that.

[B]

Obviously they would have, but he was being rude.

[A]

He was being.

[B]

He wasn't even trying to get the sale of the food, which tell that you have a different problem. This is not about alcohol.

[A]

Yeah. So it pissed me off. And I was like, let's bitch about poor customer service.

[B]

Well, speaking of poor customer service, you have heard this story, but this is one of the most traumatic things that has ever happened to me. And it was a customer service thing, but literally traumatizing. So I want to say it was. It'll be a year ago. It was a year ago. Okay. I was flying to Florida. I was hosting my friend's 50th birthday at the Florida House. So tons like, 20 people flying in for it. Okay? So that sets the stage of, I have to get to Florida. They're coming to my house. Now, let me preface this by saying I love JetBlue. And I actually still fly JetBlue. And this is the only time I've had a bad experience, but this was the worst experience I've ever had. Okay, So L. A airport, I fly first class. Pay for my ticket, right? I bought that ticket. I bought that ticket a month or more in advance. Okay? I go. I'm getting. I'm boarding the flight, and I scan my boarding pass, and I was in seat 1D. It's the aisle seat, first one. I like to be the first one off the plane. And the woman says, okay, we're moving you to 5D. Your seats broken. So we're not sitting anybody there. I'm like, okay, so it's still first class, but it's the last seat in first class. Whatever. It doesn't matter. Like, we're talking about five seats. Not the point. So I get on the plane, and that seat, my seat 1D that I have been moved from, is set up for somebody to sit in. And I say to the male flight attendant, and I said, just curious, is that seat broken? And he looks at me and he's like, no. And so I show him my original boarding pass. And I said, well, that was the seat I booked. And I said, am I allowed to sit there, or do I have to sit in the one that they assigned me because they said it was broken? And he's like, you can sit there. Okay. So I sit down, blah, blah, blah. And two minutes later, the woman that was up taking the tickets comes storming the plane, and she starts yelling at me, and she's like, I need to see your boarding pass. And I show her my boarding pass, the original one that says 1D. She said, the one I assigned you. And I show it to her, and she's like, you need to sit where I told you. And I was like, okay. Now, mind you, I'm on an airplane. I know how this goes. I know you have to be very calm. I know you cannot freak out. You can't say anything because they have so much power nowadays, right? So I'm like, okay, I had just asked, and he said the seat wasn't broken and I could sit here. And she's like, you can't talk to me that way. You need to get up and move right now. And literally, this is how she's talking to me. And I'm like, I am. I understand. I'm just saying that I didn't. I didn't go against you. I asked if I could. And she's like, if you keep being combative, I'm going to kick you off this flight. And I looked at her and I said, ma', am, I'm doing exactly what you're asking me to do. I'm getting up, I'm getting my stuff, I'm moving. And she's like, if I told you, if you keep talking to me that way, you're off this flight. And I am literally looking around waiting for somebody else. I'm like, what Twilight Zone am I in? Because I am speaking so calmly and everybody is staring. And I know this sounds so petty, but, like, I never know if somebody recognizes me or not, right? Which is more embarrassing. Okay? So I, again, I'm like, trying to get my stuff because I had, like, sort of settled into the seat. And I said, ma', am, I'm not raising my voice to you. I'm not talking back to you. I'm doing exactly what you asked. Could you please stop yelling at me because I'm doing exactly what you're asking me to do. And she's like, that's it. You need to get off this flight. And I am looking around. I'm waiting for somebody to, like, record with their phone. I'm waiting for somebody to step up and be like, she's not. She's not being combative. She's not arguing. She's doing what? Nobody's saying anything. And I'm standing there like, what the. So I walk off the plane, and I start to walk up the. The Jetway because she told me I had to get off the plane. So I'm like. And she's like, you need to get off and talk to me. And as I'm walking up the Jetway, mind you, there's a line of people boarding the plane. She's like. She yells at me because she's like, a step behind me, and she's like, where are you going? And I was like, you asked me to get off the plane. And she's like, if you don't stop acting this way, you're not going to be allowed to fly at all. And I was like, again, I'm standing there calm as can be.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

I turn around very nicely. So she makes me stand at the doorway where everybody's boarding. So everybody's watching her now yell at me as we're boarding the plane. And I said, ma', am, I'm Gonna ask you again. I am not being combative. You asked me to step off the plane. I stepped off the plane. I thought you wanted me to go up to the gate. I apologize. Could you please stop yelling at me? I'm. I'm doing everything you're asking. She tells me, that's it. You can't fly. And I'm like, what the fuck? So now I'm like, you. I'm enraged.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. I'm sitting here, like, fired up thinking about that.

[B]

I can't scream at this woman. You could get banned from flying, period. Right? So this is, like, every bit of my composure. And I'm a person that when I'm angry, if I can't express my anger, I'll cry.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. Yeah.

[B]

So, like, I'm welling with tears because I literally want to just, like, fucking rip this woman's head off because I'm like, what is happening? So I go up to the gate. I'm. I'm scared to death they're not going to let me fly at all, that I'm going to miss my flight and have to get a different flight, which means people are going to get to Florida before me, which means they. They have no way of getting into my house. So I'm like, at the gate, I'm like, okay, you have to do everything to, like, get on this flight. The manager comes over. I'm explaining to the manager what happens, and he was really nice, but he was getting a different story. So he. I don't know. This woman's, like, telling him whatever her story is. He talked to the flight attendant. So it turns out this male flight attendant was the one that started. So she made me give up my seat. Essentially, she moved my seat, telling me it was broken. It was not. Wait till I get to that part. But when I asked that male flight attendant, all he had to say was, you. You should sit wherever they gave you the ticket. I'm not really sure what's going on, but you should sit wherever they gave you the ticket. He should not have said to me, that seat works and you could sit there, because after he said that, he radioed up to her, apparently, and told her I was causing a problem. And I was like, oh, my God. All I did was ask to sit in the seat I spent over $2,000 on.

[A]

Right.

[B]

So you. Very much.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So, okay. Long and short talk to the manager. The manager is debating whether letting me on the flight. He finally says, mind you, my suitcase is still on the airplane, which is Got to be against some sort of FDA regulation. You pulled me off the flight, you should have made me grab my suitcase.

[A]

Absolutely so.

[B]

Because at first I was like saying to him, I was like, well, my, my suitcase is still on that plane, like, so I'm gonna need to. If you're not letting me on, I'm gonna need my suitcase. And he was like, I'm gonna let you on the flight, but you can't talk to anybody. And I'm like, it's a five and a half hour flight from LA to Florida. Not allowed to talk to anybody. Like, like. So I'm like, okay, at this point. So I have to now board the flight with everybody in first class now looking at me, and I have to sit in that seat that the. The other seat they gave me. Here's the best part. I sit in the seat they gave me, the seat 5D that they gave me. Broken. 1D, not broken. And they let some guy sit in it.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

And I have to fly. And this flight attendant, this douchebag that started the whole problem is coming over and trying to like, can I get you anything? I wouldn't even look at him. I was like. So I had to fly all the way there. I wrote a complaint. Of course, nobody ever responds. So. Talk about poor customer service.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Never responded. Nothing. No apology. I didn't fly JetBlue for a few months after that because I was so infuriated by it. And just like, how dare you?

[A]

I should have absolutely done something that is.

[B]

And, and, And I'm like, I'm like, I have status with them. I fly with them all the time.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I'm like, it's insane. And again, if you don't pull out your phone and record, then it's your word against theirs. And on flights nowadays, like I said, you know, because people are crazy, these flight attendants have the power to just. I mean, this woman was on a power trip like nothing ever seen before. I could not have. I was like, in my head, I was like, am I crazy? Am I saying things in a way I don't understand that I'm saying, right. Like the most timid, calm, quiet, don't rock the boat. You got to get on the flight.

[A]

It's so frustrating because you feel like you're going against these huge. Like there's. You're powerless, you're powerless.

[B]

And it's.

[A]

And someone. You know, people spend a lot of their hard earned money to buy plane tickets to choose the seat that they're doing. Some people, it's a big deal to pay for a seat, let alone if you're paying for his class. And for them to treat you like that is crazy.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That's how I felt about like at Ralph's. I was. I mean, it's not Ralph's there, it's called fries. But still I was just like, this is mind blowing to me that. With a straight face. You're gonna sit here. Look at. We're two full grown adults.

[B]

Right.

[A]

There is zero reason for you not to do this. It's so infuriating.

[B]

It is one of those things where like. And I don't know if you're like me, but I mean, you. We've learned from my brain scans that all ruminate. Right? So when I tell you that bothered me, like it, it was lived rent free in my brain for a minute.

[A]

I literally. That happened on.

[B]

You're like, not over it, right?

[A]

No, I'm not over it. No. Because I like, wake up, stop thinking about it.

[B]

You're like, I want to and I'm gonna find you and I want to tell you why you're wrong. Because it is, it feels like a. It's like you're an assault, but. But you can't fight back.

[A]

Yeah. It, it, it's like they somehow gaslight you into thinking that you did something wrong. And you're like, I didn't do anything wrong. Like, I was like, I'm not trying to buy anything illegal. Like I'm not trying to get a special discount. Right. I actually, I shouldn't have had to go to the store.

[B]

The fact that you even had to go there.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And they should have said, because if Nell, I'm sure if Nell, when he was leaving, said, oh, let me go get my boyfriend and blah, blah, they should have just said, just so you know, we won't tell. And why would you hold the order then?

[A]

Right?

[B]

Like at that point you could have just went back re. Grabbed everything without him. They would have never known you guys were a quote unquote.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Couple together. And of course they would have sold to you. You would have been by yourself.

[A]

Right. Well, and that's sort of what bothers me about this policy that I don't even know if it actually. Which again, I understand if it looks like a pack of teenagers with their 121 year old friend. I understand. But also, frankly, like, it's sort of like when I was waiting tables, if not everyone at the table was 21, I wasn't, but someone at the table was. They got to order a drink I didn't say no because you might share it with your friends.

[B]

They can't order three at a time, of course, but they can order one. That's the law. Like, you're 21.

[A]

Yeah, everything I've looked up, they were like, like, like chat. GBT was even like, this is a silly question. Of course. Like, if you're over 21, you can buy alcohol. And I was like, that's what I.

[B]

Chat GBD is like, I don't understand.

[A]

Neither do I, girl. Yeah, I'm just trying. But it's funny because, like, well, one, what I do when I'm in those, even if it's not like an anger confrontation, but any uncomfortable conversation, I start shaking and I'm like, maybe it's not noticeable, but I feel like I'm on one of those vibration plates that, when, when they just wouldn't. So one time, it's happened a long time ago. I still lived in Ohio and I, my family, we were getting like fast food. I think it was a Burger King. And so I ordered food and they, they got it totally wrong, okay. And I don't remember if I brought it back or if I called and they said, throw it away, we'll just give you a new one. But whatever happened, I drove back and I was like, you guys did this wrong. And they were like, well, I think I just threw it away. I don't remember exactly what happened, but they were like, we're not going to give you a new one. And I was like, well, you guys messed up. And they said you didn't bring it back. And I was like, well, it's your job to make it right the first time. It's not my job to come here, pay for the right food, go home, see that I have the wrong food, pack up the wrong food, bring it back, present it to you and ask for you to do your job a second time. Like, you should be you, you should. Customer service would be you saying, we're so sorry, give that to a friend, we'll make you a fresh one. Something like that. But anyways, I was there in the drive thru and they were like, we're not going to give it to you. And I threw my car in park and I sort of like sat my knee up like this and I was like, well, I'm not leaving. And when I did, the person at the window was like, are you fixing to kick me? I was like, through my car window? Through the, like, are you just making up threats so you can call the police? I'm not gonna kick you through these two windows at the thing. I want you to give me the sandwich I ordered and I'm not leaving here till I got it. And I literally, when I was at fries, I looked around and I was like, is this about to be another not moving moment? I was about to be like, look at the people online like, y' all better go to another line because I'm gonna have to be moved. But I was like, no, because I have a feeling my ass is gonna get moved. Get. Get move, get moved.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, get moved.

[A]

That's not how I want this day to go.

[B]

And yeah it is like, because then, you know, I mean, if we're just living in a messed up time where it's like, you're not wrong, but they can call, they could say you're causing a problem. All of a sudden here come the cops and the cops are. And then like can go sideways so fast, right when you're like, I'm just trying to make a point. I'm just trying to buy something that legally there is no reason you're discriminating against me. For whatever reason, you're making this a problem that it doesn't need to be. So Nell can go outside. He's not here anymore, right? You can't tell me like, you can't.

[A]

Get like, they couldn't have been like, he can't be here, wink, wink. We could have just walked out, got new things.

[B]

It doesn't make sense though. He doesn't. Again, he's so.

[A]

And he had an id. A valid non expired.

[B]

Right? You should have been like, call the cops and let's see what the cops say.

[A]

I was so tempted because one other time we were trying to go in the Abbey during a Pride and oh, I rem. Somebody looked at his. The door guy looked the like security guard at the door. The Abbey, for anyone's listening, who doesn't know, is a very famous gay bar in West Hollywood. And he was like, this is a.

[B]

Fake because it's a. The. The ID from Puerto Rico is very different. It does looks very different than what we have in la. But nonetheless, if you're going to be a doorman, you should probably know IDs from different states, whatever, or call for help.

[A]

But he confidently said with arrogance, this is fake. And we were like, no, it's not also. And so because it was pride, there were cops around. So a cop came over and told him. And I was actually very impressed because I could. It's uncomfortable because I know people in those kinds of positions, want to support each other. Like, we're. We're the public and they're. They're on. I get that. But the cop was like, it's real. You can tell it's real. And told him why. And he was like. The guy was like, I don't think it is, but I'll let you guys in. I want to be like, see, you're still a dick. Again, I'm not someone. I want the best for everybody. But like, that. I'm like, I want you to pay.

[B]

And also, I just want to go back to the fact that nell doesn't look 21. I'm not saying he looks 50, but he. He looks old enough to buy alcohol. To buy alcohol and enter the Abbey. And also, I'm sorry, but. But nowadays, for a club like the Abbey, they really should. They have scanners for IDs to tell immediately if they're real or they're fake.

[A]

Right.

[B]

So for pride, you should probably have a scanner. Yeah, I just think too, like, I. I worked in the service industry for years. You know, I waited tables for years. I worked at clothing stores. Like, what happened to one, the customer's always right? What happened to, like, doing it with a smile? What happened to, like, God, Fl. Buying used to be a privilege. It used to be a luxury. Now it's like herding cattle is what it feels like. And they used to have to treat you like freaking gold. And then if you were in first class, they really had. And now it's just like, we can yell at you, we can move your seat without issue. Like, all the things grocery store. You're like, I worked at grocery stores. I just can't imagine being rude.

[A]

Like, they were so rude.

[B]

That's the thing. It's like. It's mind blowing to me how rude people can be now.

[A]

And it would be different if I was like, if they were rude because I brought in some random products and said I bought it there and was demanding a return.

[B]

Again, if you weren't. If you obviously weren't 21, if it really was a fake or whatever.

[A]

But none of that was the case.

[B]

Right? I still don't see. Look, the world is hard enough as it is. I just don't understand being rude for the sake of being rude. Like, I'm sorry if you're having a bad day.

[A]

But it's not my fault.

[B]

It's not my problem.

[A]

Don't take it out of me. When we were flying to Ohio, even I had we. If I can do a carry on, I always Same try, like, if I check a suitcase, I'm going to be gone for a month because otherwise. And there's no washer and dryer. Because I just like to get off the plane and get to my destination. I do not want to be waiting with baggage claim, anything like that. Well, anyways, my bag was totally packed closed, and the extender part was not unzipped. It was fine. And this person, like, as I'm walking, already scanned my ticket to go onto the plane. The person who wasn't scanning them, but next to them was like, he needs to put his bag in the. Like, you know, the little metal thing to make sure if this is a carry on. So I'm like, okay. But I try. Literally, I travel all the time.

[B]

And also, if you work at the airport and you work at the ticket encounter, you should be able to eyeball that. But go ahead.

[A]

So I go and I put my bag and I. I had it, like, just soft clothes in there. So I pushed it down to make it go in the sizer thing. And they're like, no, you. You pushed. Needs to just go in without being pushed. And I was like, like, okay. And so I had, like, my carry on. Then my personal item is sort of like a small duffel. So I was like, I'm just gonna take. I had a jean jacket in there that I just took out. So I'm taking it out to do this charade. That doesn't make any sense because if it fits in that little size or thing, it's gonna fit in the overhead and there. And the guy. Same guy who said it on. And behind the counter was like, on the microphone. You cannot change your bag items at the gate. It's like, well, then don't ask me to. Don't make this so difficult.

[B]

Yes, you can. Because I've literally had them say, like, oh, just move, blah, blah, blah, over.

[A]

Well, and that was also. Yeah, because the person who. He said he told one of his colleagues make him check his. Like, what happened is it was a full flight and they wanted me to.

[B]

Have to check it because they wanted to let somebody else have the room or they had already overbooked it. It. By the way, airlines stop overbooking your flights.

[A]

Right? And it's also not like, it's not my job to make room for other people.

[B]

So today's episode is our.

[A]

Yeah, literally, I needed it.

[B]

Sometimes you got to just vent it out with your bestie, though, like, because I'm sure the people listening, we've all had it. We've all had these experiences. That's just ridiculous. Like.

[A]

Like, it's so ridiculous.

[B]

If I have a carry on bag and it has a thing where it can make the bag extend a little bit, it is still a carry on bag. And they wouldn't design it to extend if you couldn't. Like, if it still fits in the overhead and the overhead bin closes, then I should be allowed to use the extender. I had that happen once where I had the thing extended, and the woman was like, you can't have it extended. And I was like, but it's already up there and it fits. She literally, first of all, it was on its side, the way it needed to be. Everything so everybody else could fit their stuff. She made me take it out. I had to, like, freaking sit on that thing and get the thing to close. And I was like, I don't understand. It was up. It fit. It was not jammed in where it was like, oh, my God, this is going to cause a problem, right? What? Why do you need me to zip it?

[A]

I feel like those. Those sizing things make sense. Like, let's say someone gets a huge duffel, right? And says, this is my carry on. Well, it actually is. Takes up much more space. But those carry on suitcases, like, the dimension I got is so it can fit it as a carry on. So it's just like the charade that they. And then it's a humiliation tactic.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Saying that on the microphone while I'm doing it. I'm like, you're gonna have to do a lot more to humble me, because I will pop off in here.

[B]

I am not the girl and today is not the day.

[A]

That's right.

[B]

In my sending you memes, I don't know if I ended up sending it to you, but there was this one, and it was like, it's Ben Affleck. And what's his name? I don't remember. I. I forget the actor right now. God, it's going to drive me nuts. But it was like, oh, an enneagram 2. Telling an enneagram 8 that there was a problem. And so. And I'm an enneagram. And so the 2 is like. And the enneagram is 8 is like, I got it. I'll take care of it. And he's like, no, no, I don't want you to take care of anything. And he's like, yeah, no, right, exactly. You shouldn't know anything. I got it. He's like, looking at him and he's like, no, I don't want you to do anything. And he's like, right, Right. Yeah, it's me at my core.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Oh, I'm gonna take care of this.

[A]

Yes. I mean, I. Honestly, there was a little. It's just like, I'm mad that that happened, but there was a little bit of me that was like, yes, the fighter's back. I'm ready.

[B]

D. Do you remember what they look like? Because I'm about to go to Arizona. We could stock this store. I'm about to take photos of them and be like, it was him.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. It was just so. Such poor customer service. Like, I said I would feel differently if they were just polite. And we're like, we're really sorry. It's out of our hands. We know. It sucks, because I'm fully. Like, we're both two grown adults who have done nothing wrong, have no record, have our. All of our documentation that every place else in the country accepts, and this grocery store is not letting us take these things home to my family that I was already pulled away from.

[B]

So here comes the question, though. Is like. Like, I said, oh, it's too bad you didn't pull out your phone. Like. Like, do you pull out your phone? Do you take a photo? Do you rec. Like, for me? Should I have tried to pull out my phone and record her? That probably would have sent her, like, right over the top. I wanted to, but it's, like, in. And also, let me ask you this question. In the world of social media that we live in, you and I both have a following. I have a fairly big following. Do you know, many times I have been done dirty by. I buy a company or a service, and I'm like, I just want to put this on my social media because you deserve it. Like, if this is your customer service, then people should know not to use you. I act and. But I rarely ever do it because I'm like, I don't want it to look so petty, like, on social media that I'm putting somebody on blast, like, on purpose. Like, oh, I'm using the fact that I have a following, but at the same time, I'm like.

[A]

Don'T act right.

[B]

Don't suck. But, like, the people that did my gym floors the first time, and I mean, God, remember, like, what a disaster it was. And finally, I did put them on blast, and I was like, this is insane. Like, the photos were crazy, and people were messaging me, and they're like, what? Oh, my God. Like, contractors were messaging me. Like, they're like, that's insane. I'm like, thank you. So one of. Let me just tell you another quick story. I. I obviously do well for myself. I am not somebody who could do my own taxes, especially in the tax.

[A]

That I'm in, but not remain in the free world.

[B]

Honey, no.

[A]

Have your ass locked up.

[B]

It was so quick. So I had this one accountant for years, amazing guy here in la. And then I switched to this firm in New York. And the only reason I switched was because I was like, I needed. I wanted somebody that was going to help me figure out a little bit more of, like, where my tax breaks were. Because I fall into this weird category being in the fitness industry, but then also falling under this sort of like, quasi influencer thing and how, like, what I spend money on.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And. And this firm in New York not only was supposed to do taxes, they were supposed to do, like, money management, planning, and even potentially help me get other business opportunities. And when I switched to them, they were not a cheap investment. And I fully, like, vetted them. Right. Like, I researched them, all the things. Great. And this was during COVID So I'm. I am the person, though, who is very on top of my finances, like, control freak. I know what's happening. I know when taxes need to be paid, all the things. So. And I pay quarterly. And it comes up, and I'm messaging my. The guy from this new firm, and I'm just going to put them on blast. Adeptus in New York, who supposedly works with, like, top celebrities like Chrissy Teigen and John Legend and all, and Jessica Simpson, all this stuff. Okay. So I'm messaging him, Howard. And I'm like, hey, you know, don't I owe for my taxes? And he's like, no, we. We did an audit and you're actually getting money back. Like, you're getting this rather large lump sum back. You overpaid. Blah, blah, blah. Like, okay, great. When? Because like, a month went by, two months went by, three months went by. I'm never seeing these. A check come in. And he's like, oh, you know, the system. It's old, it's antiquated. It takes forever. And I'm like, okay, the next quarter comes. And I'm like, so don't I owe taxes? And he's like, no. And I'm like, are you sure this doesn't feel right, Like, I've always owed. And he's like, no, you're getting the refund, blah, blah, blah. And I'm like, okay, third quarter comes, still tells me same thing. And I'm messaging him constantly, like, I'm asking, don't I owe? Blah, blah, blah. And I'm saying to him, too. I'm like, like, well, are my taxes filed? Like, where's the return? Like, can you send me the paperwork? And don't I need to sign something? Like, it's always been my taxes. Get prepared, but I have to sign it. He's like, no, it's done. It's filed. Okay. This goes on for two years, Donald. And when I tell you I am on top of it, I mean, emails and text messages and all I'm getting back is it's done. It's handled everything. You don't owe right up until I get a letter from the irs.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

That I owe a lot of money. And I'm like, what? So I message them and, no, you don't. That's wrong. But then I get another letter from the irs, and so they said it's wrong. Yes. So the long and short is I finally get somebody else from the firm. Because I'm like, something's not right. There's no way the IRS is telling me I owe this much. And I know now I'm like, I haven't signed anything. I haven't paid anything. Like, something's not right. Right. But I don't know how to go and look and do all this stuff. They have all my paperwork paid them.

[A]

So well to handle it. Yeah.

[B]

Come to find out, this guy never filed my taxes for two years. Nothing. So put me in, like, a horrific legal situation where I could have went to jail. I could have lost my house. They were putting liens against the house. And I'm very good about setting money aside to pay for the taxes, but the money I had set aside at that point was for the current year because he kept telling me I was getting money back. And since he was telling me I was getting money back, I was super proud of myself that I had saved all this money and I furnished that Florida house rather quickly instead of taking the longer time.

[A]

And you click the links that I send you of stuff I need you to buy. Like, girl, you would look real cute.

[B]

Yeah, I did. And that's right. Yes. And it is still something that I am cleaning up to this day, because it was two years.

[A]

What was their excuse?

[B]

They didn't have one. I had to threaten legal action, which is not easy, but I had to threaten his license. So they ended up refunding me a little bit of the money that I had paid over those two years, but not. But it doesn't matter. I Still owe the taxes. Then it was like, all this interest.

[A]

And they should be paying all of that.

[B]

So they are supposed to be okay, but they haven't sent me a check for it. And even now, like, trying to get all my documentation back from them because I'm going back to the guy here in LA. It was like July 2nd that I was like, I need my paperwork. Like, I need everything for the last four years that you guys have. It is still, like, I have to harass them. And I get a little bit here and a little bit there. And it's crazy serious. It's so serious. And it's like, you should be the ones that have to pay. Yeah, Like, I did all the things I was supposed to and I paid you. Like, but again, I would have to hire an attorney, which would cost a lot of money. I'd have to take them to court. You know, like, the legal battle that would ensue would cost me so much money and time and energy.

[A]

That's what sucks.

[B]

People know that. Yeah, they know that.

[A]

Like, oh, yeah.

[B]

The system is not set up to person being wrong.

[A]

I wish that I had. Like, it would feel so good even if nothing would come of it, to just be able to file litigation against this grocery store. Like, even if I knew to, it would be so cool. Like, if I win the lottery, I'm gonna definitely have some money set aside just to pay. Like, have an attorney who gives people what they deserve. You know, I'm here for it because.

[B]

Vigilante justice up.

[A]

Yes. And that's the thing about it. So it is a fine line because even I don't have a following like you, but even with my following, I'm like, it's not that I want to use it to get my way or when these are. But it. It feels like you're unjust when you're treated that way. And it's almost like you're doing it to do right by the people. That's how I feel.

[B]

Because you're like, if it happened to me, it happened to somebody else. Here's a. I don't care if you're having a bad day. You're in customer service. I don't know. Don't show up to work or figure out how to be a nice person. But, like, you took that job. If you don't like that job, then don't. Don't have that job. Yeah, like, that. You just have. Like, you can't be the person in customer service and act that way except that you're allowed to nowadays.

[A]

Yeah, there's no, there is no.

[B]

There'S no like recourse against it other than, like I said, the power of social media.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Calling them out. Adeptus fries.

[A]

That's very serious.

[B]

JetBlue, your. No, the taxes is like one of.

[A]

The worst that tax situation.

[B]

And you want to talk about hormonal imbalance and stress.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I would literally, I would be on the phone like cussing them out and. And I was like, I'm sorry. But I was, I was like, what the fuck?

[A]

How like, I mean, you, you have told me a little bit about that before. So I know when you say a lot of money that you owed, no matter if anyone's listening, like, oh, I. You can still be polite. You wouldn't. In that circumstance, you would lose your. Because the fact is if. Let's say that like things could happen in someone's life where they couldn't recover, that they, they spent it because they thought that they.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Had it because their accountant that they were paying. So it's. That's very serious.

[B]

Listen, I am like, where I was, where we were financial three and four years ago is not where I'm at financially right now. But I still have to pay the taxes from when I was three and four years ago. Like, my Florida house is up for sale.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And honestly, it's been up for sale for a hot second. The market sucks right now. But it is one of those things where I'm like, okay. I mean, part of the reason. It's not that I can't afford the house. I still can't afford the house, but it's like, I'm not going as much as I was. It's a big investment for not going as often as I was. But also I'm like, great. I need to get the equity out of that, that get this tax situation handled and then use the rest of it for investing in my beverage line.

[A]

Girl, I'll buy it. You have like a rent to own situation, though. I need a, like a buy now, pay later. Girl, I love that house.

[B]

Same. I love that house. I just want the furniture out of that house. Honestly, I just want that house to sell so I can take my furniture from it and put it in this house.

[A]

Oh my God. Can you imagine if I bought that house with no furniture? We would do literally be like some bean bags in the middle of the great room. Like all you need no place to rest your head.

[B]

That's true. Listen, we'll pull out some sleeping bags. No, actually, you and I are talking about. Listen, D, you did not respond to my text message the other day. Also, why I need you to stop traveling.

[A]

I'm here. Huh? I'm here.

[B]

Donald and I are talking about doing a retreat.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

In November at that house. Since it hasn't sold, it's perfect for it. It's perfect for it. And we'll get into details, but retreat at the house? A one day event. And I sent you the hotel for the one day event to look at.

[A]

I did. I looked it over, but you didn't respond. I didn't know what to say. I was gonna. Well, here's the thing. I started right. Oh, I do like it. I started writing a text to be like, love it. Do you want me to call? Get information? Get. And then I was like, don't. Don't write checks your ass can't. Your ass can't cast. Baby, you're playing with your new nephew. You can't be calling a hotel right now. But I. I was like, okay, I'll get on that as soon as I get back.

[B]

Here we are. I am dead that you just said, don't write check so you can't get back. Because I was like, huh. Okay. Are we planning this retreat or not? Like, I'm trying to figure out what to do with this house. Am I leaving it on the market? Am I taking it off the market? Am I planning a retreat?

[A]

No. I actually randomly texted you when I was in Arizona, like, when I came in to use a restroom or something from the pool, and I typed out something like, love the hotel. Let me know if you want me to. And then I was like, no, I was like, what you doing? Having a good day. That's. That.

[B]

Okay. That was the most random text. I got this text from D, and it was like, literally, he's gone. He's in Arizona. It's a. It's like a Saturday. And he's like, like, hey, boo. How's your weekend going? Yeah, honestly, I'm gonna be. I don't even know if I should say this. It was such a mind. Because I'm a girl and I'm pathetic at times, and. And I responded to you, and I was like, good. How are you? And you didn't respond for a really long time. And I was like, is he checking to see if I'm home for some reason? Is somebody asking him to check and see if I'm home?

[A]

Oh, my goodness.

[B]

I, like, went down this whole thing because I was like, why did he ask? Like, you're away with, like. It was just such A weird.

[A]

Well, that's what happened. I wrote this whole thing, like, about the retreat. What needs that next steps. And I was like, it's a holiday weekend. But then I was already invested to texting you, and I was like, I wonder how she do it.

[B]

I'm glad to know where that came from, because it really was. I mean, listen, I'm here for a check in always. But it was just really funny because it's. Because it was like, hey, how you doing? And I responded back immediately because my phone is always hours later. I think I said, yeah. He responded back. And I was like, huh, that is funny. Well, customer service.

[A]

Yeah, maybe. You know what? I like to think that us talk, bringing this issue to the world will cause a shift in the current way that things are done, because it just ain't right and we should be treated with a little more respect and a little less of the bullshit. People.

[B]

I just think. Yeah. Like I was saying.

[A]

And also, I'm sorry, but it does come from two people who worked in customer service forever. Any kind of work. When you work with people, there's customer service aspects, of course. And so it's not like, anti. If anything, I empathize inside with and understand customer service workers, especially people who are, like, on the front lines.

[B]

Right.

[A]

You know, like a cashier.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I can't imagine. I was watching. We went to the movies the other day, and the person who was scanning everyone's tickets or we went at Universal City Walk. So it was when we drove into the parking garage and they just check in one car after the other. And I was like, bless these people, because that's a hard job. Even though that's not hard to do, it is hard to over and over and over again deal with people.

[B]

Yes. However, I'm gonna take. I'm gonna play the devil's advocate and say, usually people at the grocery store are not very rude. Like, when I'm checking out to get my groceries, I. There's no reason. Like, I'm. I'm. You're nice to the cashier.

[A]

How are you?

[B]

They ask you how your day is. Great. You're buying the things they usually, oh, this tastes good. Oh, I like that. Like, you're not getting harassed.

[A]

Right.

[B]

You're checking in at an amusement park. There's like. For the car. Yes. It might be monotonous, but you chose the job. But usually that's not a position where you're getting yelled at. I could see the airport, because again, the airport is like, stress for people. But nonetheless, first of all airlines check your people when you hire them. Make sure you're treating your people well so that then they treat your customers well. But, like, there are a lot, like, servers. You know, you wait tables, you get. Man. You know, you're coming out to eat. You would think, like, just be nice. Like, don't be rude to your server.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You never know. I never did anything terrible. Like, but you. Like, these are people handling your food.

[A]

Be nice.

[B]

Listen, if you want to send something back, fine. Be nice about it. Like, they didn't cook your food. The kitchen did. And if the kitchen's busy, sometimes they mess something up, not because they have it out for you. And I understand you're hungry, and then all of a sudden, you know, you get hangry and blood sugar's imbalance, and you can't believe they messed up your salad.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay, let's take a deep breath.

[A]

I need a shake.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, on the set of 80 Day, I had a. I need a shake meltdown moment. But the. When we were. They wanted me to film for the reality portion of it was like, I'm not a shake. I'm not a robot.

[B]

I mean, listen, I've had definitely moments on set that is very high stress. And that's not really yelling at anybody. That's more just like the pressure. Like, you're in a pressure cooker, totally under the light. You're hungry, you're performing, it's hot, you're tired, you're sore sometimes. But again, it's just really more being aware of that. You're a human being. I'm a human being. Let's treat each other with respect. Unless somebody starts being rude to you first. But again, if we just both enter into situations knowing not to be rude to each other.

[A]

Yeah. Like. Like, we're. We're here to do. Literally, that cashier is there to check people out.

[B]

Yeah. You have a service to perform.

[A]

Exactly. And I was just there to do my part, buy some stuff. And there was no shadiness about the transaction at all. You know, it made me think about. Did you read about the recent story of JLO being turned away when she was. I think it was from a Chanel store, and she might have been in Europe. It was another country for sure.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And she went in and the security guard stopped her.

[B]

Why?

[A]

And I don't. There's a lot of speculation in this story, but she handled it so classy and was like, okay. And left and went to another store. And. And the store was like. Like, I guess later, very apologetic. But she was just like, no, like, But I was like, man, if they can do that, if they can act.

[B]

Like that to JLo, why would you stop JLo?

[A]

None of us have any hope. That's what I mean. JLO could literally come curl up next to me and Nell in bed if she needed a place to stay. Like, Jayla should have an open door policy as far as I'm concerned, any place.

[B]

But by the way, even if you don't know she's JLo, which, what rock are you living under? Why would you stop anybody from coming into your store?

[A]

Well, and then, yeah, like, and then they felt bad when they found out it was JLo. But you know what? Maybe that's the thing in customer service. You should treat everyone like they're JLo. Like, you know they're JLo.

[B]

Yeah. It shouldn't be about if I'm JLO or not. Like there are some. Listen, okay, one other time. Are we okay on time?

[A]

Yep.

[B]

So when I. Things were taken off with body. Like, like think 21 day fix. 21 day fix. Extreme. Maybe hammer and chisel era. Okay, so I'm like three years deep in doing well and I wanted, it was time to trade in my car, like to my lease and get a different car. And I wanted to get a Range Rover and I went to a Range Rover dealership here in la.

[A]

And what was the car you were trading in?

[B]

I had a, like a four door Mercedes.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

That I had leased. The lease was up, up. I wanted to go into an suv. And listen, especially then because I was working so much, I was always in my workout clothes. And listen, if I had been at the office and developing and blah, blah, blah, my hair was probably in a crazy bun and I didn't have makeup on my face and I was in my workout clothes. So I came, blah, blah, blah. I go in, I know what I want. I want the white, I want the black. Like I know what I want. And gentleman comes up to me, can I help you? I said, yes, you know, know, looking for Range Rover, this one. And I'm explaining to him what I want. And he like, he's kind of got an attitude towards me a little bit, which is weird. Like I'm walking in, I want to get a car from you.

[A]

You're here to sell cars? I'm here to buy a car.

[B]

Your car is very expensive. Yeah, I'm here to buy it. And he's giving me attitude as if I can't afford the car. And he like walks me outside and he Shows me, like, this gold one. And like, he's like, oh, and it has, like, the foot rail when you open it. And I was like, no, that's not what I want. I want the white with the black, and I definitely don't want the foot rail. I definitely don't want gold. And he was like, basically, like, well, I don't think we. I don't know if you could afford this anyways. Like, that's what he said to me. I don't know. Like, we went back inside because he was like, well, let me see if we have anything in stock. And he, like, types it in, and he's like, I don't think you could afford it. Okay. This is the one time I would I ever said this, but it was so perfect in the moment. I looked at him and I said, my name's Autumn Calabrese. Why don't you Google me? And I got up and I walked out, and I drove to a different Range Rover dealership, one on Sunset. And I'm there, and literally, they're awesome. They help me. Da, da. I'm like, signing the lease there, and my phone rides rings, and it is this guy from the other dealership. And he's like, I'm really sorry. I was just intimidated by you. Like, if you come back, I can help you. And I was like, no. I said, I'm at the dealership on Sunset and I just signed my lease. You weren't intimidated. You thought I couldn't afford it because I didn't come in dressed up head to toe.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I just hung up. But it was like that one time where it was like. Like, you're judging me because I didn't come in dressed to the nines. You have no idea what I can afford. There's plenty of people that are like that. Hard workers, you know, have done well, save their money, budgeted their money, and they can afford. And they get judged because maybe they're not dripping in finesse. And it's like, oh, you know, like Pretty Woman.

[A]

My.

[B]

Yeah, I don't think we have anything for you. I have to go shopping now. Yeah, like you. That's such the ultimate fuck you. Like, telling that guy to go Google me? Like I said, I don't. I've never said that since. And I just would. Like, that was so not typical. Oh, but it was so good, because I knew he did. Like, I knew. All of a sudden, he was like. As soon as I said it, he got this look on his face like, oh, my.

[A]

My first apartment Ever that I paid my rent in cash. It was a different time. And. And the. It was in my hometown. And the woman who was like the property manager who I signed my lease with, all the things. I was about to go on a road trip, vacation. We were doing a houseboat vacation at Lake Cumberland and she was coming to pick up my rent. That's what she always did. I literally handed her the cash.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

It was my first go around. I know there's a lot about that that's also not good for me, but whatever. That's what we were doing and had been working for like 10 months, I'd say, at this apartment. Well, my friends were all there. We needed to leave. We had to be at the marina by a certain time. And she was late. She hadn't showed up. So I called her and I was like, where are you? I told you I had to leave. You said you were going to be here 30 minutes ago. She was like, I'm 15 minutes away. Just put the envelope in your mailbox.

[B]

Tell me you didn't.

[A]

I did. Oh, that was a mistake. I know. But. So I leave. Whatever. We're on the vacation and. And two days later into the vacation, it's five day vacation. She calls me and says, I just got to your house. The money's not there. I was like, what do you mean you just got to the house? You said you were 15 minutes away two days ago.

[B]

Days ago. The mailman has come in.

[A]

Exactly. The mailman is richer now. Like, it's not my fault. You said you were going to be there. And she said, if you can't afford to pay your rent and go on vacations, maybe you shouldn't go on vacations. And autumn. Oh my Google me moment. I said, said, Are you kidding? Do you know who I am? I could buy and sell you in a week. I don't even know where I came from. But I was so mad. And I wanted her to feel small.

[B]

Because that's how these make you feel.

[A]

That's how they make you feel. Like there's nothing you can do. You're trash. You're disposable.

[B]

Yes. And like you couldn't really afford.

[A]

That's why. It's not like. It's not when anyone does something like that. It's not us trying to be like we're better than you. It's just trying to get some of the humanity that they stripped away from you back. Like, I'm sorry. I didn't know that I was going to be shamed for walking in here trying to buy one of your brand new Range Rovers. I thought that was something you wanted to happen.

[B]

Sorry, I didn't know you didn't want to make money today.

[A]

Yeah, my bad.

[B]

Yeah, I'll take my money somewhere else.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I hope we made other people feel a little seen today.

[A]

I definitely feel better. So thank you all for listening and indulging in our customer service bad experience.

[B]

You've had bad customer service service experiences and you need to vent about it. You can always email us everything's perfect. Podcast gmail dot com. Let us hear it.

[A]

That's right.

[B]

Also, I'm here for a little of the salacious. Like if it went a little crazy.

[A]

We're here for all that.

[B]

Tell us.

[A]

Also, if you're an attorney, you want to take down these big. I'm just kidding. Call us. We can work together. Yeah, we'll start a class action.

[B]

Yeah, let me know. We gotta. We got a list, people.

[A]

But until then.

[B]

So next week I think we'll be in a better place.

[A]

Yeah. Join us then for a little bit more uplifting episode.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Until next time.

[B]

We'll see you guys next week.