I read a most interesting article in a magazine lately (Sr moment prevents me from remembering which magazine -- sorry). It was written by a woman who was so tired of having other people's days ruined by someone's "bad day." She decided that she would try a personal campaign of being extra kind and polite when someone was rude to her or to someone in her presence. She would do things like "apologize" for not understanding or for being in the way, etc. She said on each occasion, the act of kindness would turn the situation around. So perhaps the rude customer could have been asked if she was tired or bothered by something to make her react to your comment. I have found if you can back a rude person "into a corner" they will invariably apologize or back off. Congratulations for just letting it go. I am especially irritated by people who try to cut into a line or rush to enter a door before I do. Sometimes I just want to lash out, but then, what would that solve. I would be the fool.