Customer: “Why do all your shirts say ‘Canada 1867’?”
Me: “Oh, that’s because it’s Canada’s 150th year.”
Customer: “Oh, wow. Hey, babe!” *calls to his pregnant wife and two young children* “It’s Canada’s 150th. Who knew?” *to me* “Guess that’s another thing the US beats you at!”
(I am working as a cashier supervisor at a large store. I’ve just clocked out since my coworker has taken over to do the closing shift. A cashier stops me as I’m about to leave the store, not in any uniform and clearly dressed in my winter outdoor clothing.)
Cashier: “Hey [My Name], [Coworker] is busy. Can you override this markdown on your way out?”
Me: “No problem.”
Customer: “I’d suggest you get here a little faster next time.”
Me: “I’d suggest you don’t take that tone with me. I barely get paid enough to give a f*** about you when I am on the clock. I certainly don’t care when I’m punched out.”
(The cashier high-fived me and I smirked and walked out the door.)
(I work at a store where everything rings up at full price until I total it all. Then, the sales prices are used. A customer kept comparing her list to what I had on the screen and claiming it wasn’t matching up. I had a very long line of customers and was doing my best to assure her she was getting the best sales on all of her items. The customer behind her was an old man. I started to ring out his cart.)
Customer: “What was she asking you all of those questions for?”
Me: “Well, our sales prices don’t show up until I hit the total button, so she was confused when everything rang up full price.”
Customer: “Did she need to take up ten minutes comparing? Jesus, we should take everyone who asks questions, gather ’em up, and just SHOOT ‘EM!”
Me: *looks extremely uncomfortable and continues scanning*
Customer: “RIGHT?”
Me: *still continues scanning and doesn’t look up*
(I am a contract truck driver doing short haul. This means I catch a train to where the truck is, drive it and then catch a train to the next job or home. I have a large bag of essentials and a small folding bike with me, but above all I am wearing a hi-vis jacket. I catch a LOT of trains. I have just dropped off a truck at Gatwick Airport and am standing perusing the departure board for the trains when someone comes and taps me on the shoulder.)
American Lady: “Excuse me, can you tell me where the train to Victoria goes from?”
Me: “Erm… From Platform 4 or 5, they alternate. Take the lift over there and listen to the announcements.”
(I turned back and work out my own train was going in 20 minutes from Platform 7. As I was about to head there another couple approached me with the same question. I directed them, too… and the next… and the next. At one point I had a small queue. At no point did anyone question that I had a bike and bag with me. They just saw the hi-vis and made the assumption. After 15 minutes I made my escape and caught my own train.)
(A few years ago, I was working nights in a convenience store to earn a little extra money while I was in college. One evening, a lady pulls up on her motorcycle and comes inside to pay for a pack of cigarettes… entirely in change.)
Me: *counting out the change*
Customer: “Can you get on with it?”
Me: “I apologize, ma’am, but it’s store policy to verify the purchase amount.”
Customer: *disgusted noise*
(Finally, the purchase is squared away.)
Customer: “Also, can you give me directions to [Neighboring Town]?”
Me: “Of course! It’s only a few blocks to the turn, but there’s some construction on [Local Street #1] so you’ll have to make a detour onto [Local Street #2].”
Customer: “What?”
Me: *explains again, this time drawing a map on a spare piece of paper*
Customer: “Well, that makes no sense at all. You know, this is probably why you work at a place like this. You’re not smart enough to get a job anywhere else.”
(I was too stunned to reply before she left the store. For the record, I graduated in three years with a degree in microbiology.)
