So we went to a Chemist today to buy a water bottle for my son. My wife decided on one bottle but then realised it might be too small so she took the bottle out of the box and tested it by sucking into the draw! As soon as I saw her sucking the bottle, I told her it is too late to change as she already sucked it, in our language (not english).
She continued holding the bottle while I was assessing other bottles, then there was a male staff coming towards us started to rant. "You shouldn't suck the bottle and test it like that …", my wife politely said sorry and told him we will buy it.
He continued ranting for like 2 mins. I calmly waited for him to finish and said: "mate, we had decided to buy the bottle." and he then started threaten us: "I appreciate it but make sure you buy it because I will check the camera up front and I will make you buy it" We were speechless for like 10 seconds did not believe what we've been told from a store staff, so I decided to tell him: "you don't have to do it mate" and proceeded to buy the bottle and left.
We left the store feeling threatened & so empty that I & my wife did not say a word to each other in 5 mins as we never experience something like this before, my wife went bursting crying in the car. I mean, we both acknowledged that my wife was wrong sucking the bottle but the way we treated by the staff was very inappropriate & unprofessional. I have been to this local shop for years and have not had any bad experience with it and I am not sure if I would return after this.
I believe by the situation should have been handled a lot more better by the staff. Should I report this to the store manager? What would you tell the staff if he said that to you?
Update: Just want to be clear that we admitted the fault, at the shop to the store person and also said we would proceed buying the bottle. What I hoped that he would've stopped after that, but was very shocked hearing this: "I appreciate it but make sure you buy it because I will check the camera up front and I will make you buy it". I know he might have been triggered but if you were him, would you have handled differently in a proper manner? What bothered me most was the language used, threatening language, the way he rant that should never come out from a staff.
Update 2: So a lot of people have commented how bad my wife's action was, we knew & admitted it so disgusting, ewe, etc, all you can say but we've had enough, we've done our reflection. My questions actual questions are should this had been handled in an appropriate way by the staff person or differently? What would you tell the staff if he said that to you?
The idiot is likely racist and won’t change their behaviour based on what you do. The store manager will very apologetic and do nothing when you’re gone. Best you just move on, shop elsewhere and chat about it on ozbargain.