Notes From The Coffeeground

What would make a usually mild mannered member of the public turn into an hateful accuser? What would cause a lady, wearing NHS id, to spit venom at an innocent cafe employee? Splitting multi-packs and selling the contents individually, apparently.
I hold my hands up. I do on occasion split a multi-pack of pop or crisps. I justify this with the argument that it saves me a few pennies and helps keep my prices down. The manufacturers don't like this. They would like me to pay much more than the supermarkets for my stock. I have checked with trading standards and there is no actual law banning me from sourcing my stock in this way. Of course the ingredients labels etc must still follow regulations. But, no law saying thou must not split. 'Not to be sold separately' is guidance from the manufacturer.
A couple of days ago one of my staff was challenged very angrily over a 45p bag of cheese n onion. The vitriolic outburst obviously shook her. We were 'breaking the law'. The customer 'hated' this type of thing.
Hmmmm. I'm not causing starvation in a once prosperous country, while preventing any form of democracy. I haven't imprisoned my family in an Austrian cellar. I am, however, breeding hate!
This has brought back memories of working in Our Price at the time of Princess Diana's death. The public was unified in a surge of grief but more importantly they had to have Elton's tribute single the moment it was released. We were unprepared, short staffed and mostly indifferent. The main problem being logistics. Delivery companies couldn't keep up with demand. On the morning of release a queue of approx 300 people had built up. Us poor record shop monkeys tried not to meet their stares as we waited for the stock to arrive. An angry woman approached the counter and announced 'If it was Oasis yers would have it in stock!' She held a look of pure hatred for us. Probably in equal measure of my contempt for Oasis.
My point, if I'm allowed one, is when did it become acceptable to rant at innocent, unsuspecting workers? How and when are we encouraged to take out our petty grievances on easy targets. Is it the meek lady behind the counter at the petrol station who has increased the price of a barrel of oil?
Anyway, must dash. Asda are selling Dr. Pepper 6 packs in a 2 for £2 deal.