1. No USPS employee can ask you what is in the box.
2. No USPS employee can tell you what needs to be in the box.
3. All they can ask is the HAZMAT question.
4. Ask the idiot to show you the regs (you can printout and bring your own copy)
5. File a written complaint (registered mail) with the USPS IG and tell the employee you're going to.
How close is another post office ?
https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c4_008.htm