Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard · Podcast summary

Armchair Anonymous: Bad Customer

Amy Bateman shares a wild West End theater hen party story, Alex recounts a bizarre flooring client encounter, and Jamie reveals unsettling experiences with a male Brazilian wax client.

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard · September 25, 2026 · 54-min episode · 4-min read

Key takeaways

🎭Hen parties at family matinee shows can cause major disruptions, including inappropriate props and behavior.6:44
🚨Theater staff often have to balance customer enjoyment with enforcing strict policies to maintain order.10:26
💩One hen party member defied all norms by defecating in the theater foyer, a shocking escalation.13:10
🏠Sales visits can reveal bizarre and uncomfortable client dynamics, including inappropriate advances.24:00
🙏Religious rituals can sometimes be used inappropriately to manipulate or invade personal boundaries.31:05
🧔Male Brazilian waxing clients can present unique challenges, including inappropriate sexual behavior.44:00

Chapters

6:09🎭 Hen Party Chaos at the West End
23:00🏠 Creepy Flooring Client Encounter
41:13🧔 Male Brazilian Waxing Gone Wrong
53:04⚔️ Hatchet Attack at the Bar
1:02:00🛑 Reflections on Customer Service Challenges

The digest

Customer service can be a grueling job, often putting workers face-to-face with some of the most challenging and bizarre human behaviors. In a recent episode of Armchair Anonymous, hosts Dan Shepard and Monica Bateman dive into stories of “bad customers” — ranging from unruly theatergoers to unsettling client encounters in sales and personal care. Here’s a detailed look at these unforgettable tales.

Naughty Hen Party Hijinks at a West End Theater

Amy Bateman, a former usher at a London West End theater known for hosting "Mamma Mia," recounted one of her most notorious experiences during the busy summer holiday season. The theater had a popular promotion allowing one child to attend free with an adult, drawing large family crowds, but also hen parties (bachelorette parties) known for their lively antics.

Amy described a particular hen party that had already been flagged by staff for disruptive behavior. The group sneaked in an inflatable penis, which was blown up and waved around during a matinee show filled with children. When Amy politely asked them to hand it over, it was dropped and bounced down to the stalls below, causing a stir.

Despite warnings against singing and dancing during the performance, the group continued to be loud and intoxicated, prompting security to monitor them closely. At intermission, they were barred from re-entering due to complaints and their refusal to comply with theater policies. The situation escalated with shouting and swearing, leading to a call to the police.

In a shocking climax, one woman from the group defied all decorum by pulling down her trousers and defecating in the theater foyer. Amy praised the theater manager’s calm demeanor throughout the incident, even as she personally cleaned up the mess. This story remains a legendary example of bad customer behavior in the theater world.