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30 Humorous Comics By Stephen Beals Illustrating Absurd Situations Retail Workers Face Daily (New Pics)
Interview With Artist
Stephen Beals is back with more of his funny and relatable "Adult Children" comics, and we couldn't be more excited to share them with you. Known for capturing the ups and downs of working in retail, Beals turns everyday frustrations into humorous art that resonates with anyone who's ever dealt with customer service.
In this new batch of comics, Beals continues to explore the amusing and sometimes absurd situations that retail workers face daily. From interactions with customers to the dynamics between coworkers, these cartoons might make you laugh and nod in agreement.
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#1
Daniel Marsh 1 year ago
"Because I'm getting food on my break. You really don't want to mess with me after I've missed a meal."
veryvenasaur 1 year ago
I actually had to wear an oversized jacket so no one could see my employee shirt while I took my lunch break since I'd often supplement my lunch with food from the store and I got tired of saying "Ma'am/Sir I am clocked out on my legally required break and working during it is a crime that I do not plan to commit please go find one of the 15 other employees." of course I would only say it after "Sorry I'm on break." doesn't work since it's met with "Oh will you just help me real quick." NO no I will not.
Stephen Beals shared with Bored Panda that he has been creating comics for as long as he can remember, driven by his passion for art. Although his degree is in animation, he found himself more drawn to print and graphic art.
During college, he enjoyed working with people, except when he was exhausted, unwell, or dealing with difficult customers. He humorously referred to these challenging customers as "uppity raccoons." He said, "Sometimes customers are uppity raccoons, and love has left the air."
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#2
ConstantlyJon 1 year ago
working over on repeat only kills you for no compensation. not worth it. leave on time.
#3
veryvenasaur 1 year ago
Again, I will say from my experience if you politely ask me to check the back I will I almost certainly won't find what you are looking for, but I will try. If you are rude, I take a five-minute break in the backroom and tell you I couldn't find it. I do not work in stocking I can't control if the store is out of something I'm a teenager not a demigod overlord of cheese and cabbage.
According to Beals, he titled his comic series "Adult Children" because being an adult seems like a made-up story we tell kids to make them behave. "Sometimes it works and a child will master the art of pretending to be responsible. They become politicians, incarcerated, or potentially both."
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Kelly H. Wilder 1 year ago
I like that so much I screenshotted it to share with people who know my sibling. So much truth.
For Beals, the trickiest part of his work is often the message he wants to convey. Some cartoonists compare writing comics to poetry, which might sound odd at first, but it makes sense. According to the artist, getting the pacing and dialogue right is crucial. He has learned this through trial and error, admitting to making countless comics that just didn't click. "Honestly, that's the way I learn everything. A few hundred failures equal success."
#6
FluffyDreg 1 year ago
If someone tells you they are the store manager don't argue because duties are split in a different way than you like, just accept it and move on.
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#7
Lotekguy 1 year ago
Whiskers? Whoever said it first has spent more time in a coffin than most of us have been breathing.
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"I receive more personal responses to my comics about retail than anything I've ever made in the past. People have written me to share some very hilarious stories as well as others that describe painful work scenarios. Really, that's more rewarding than any amount of money. As far as I know. I'd like to test that theory by getting a large amount of money and comparing the two, but this experiment lacks funding."
#8
Teresa Spanics 1 year ago
I would do the same by first asking if I could hug them in case they are still not well enough, and then gently hug them while saying "I hope that you make a full recovery, and that the cancer never returns.".
MyName'sLisaMontoyaYouKiltMyPa 1 year ago
I was going to say the same thing!
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️️Upvote faery️ 1 year ago
To an extent, I agree. Most places cannot seem to pay high enough to make those other factors tolerable enough.
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Epona 1 year ago
I like how the signs keep saying something different in each panel. "Open 24/7 for possible service" is pretty funny
Danish Susanne 1 year ago
Thank you for making me see it too. I almost choked on my tee over the last sign.
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Melanie 1 year ago
Her name is actually Tabby. I don't think Bobby remembers it
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Claire Kaplan 1 year ago (edited)
Acme, if you're reading this: NOBODY WANTS TO DOWNLOAD AN ENTIRE APP JUST TO GET COUPONS ON APPLES, YOU DOLTS!
Sven Horlemann 1 year ago
Call me old school, but I will never use self-checkout. I do not work there. If someone is not willing to do the job, I simply leave. In Germany they just started. Let's see where this ends.
Faith 1 year ago
Honestly I love self checkout, it makes lines go much faster and no small talk. That being said, I also worked as a cashier and really enjoyed it so when I was working I wished there was no self checkout so more customers would come to my line. Maybe I just like scanning things haha
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#14
Mimi La Souris 1 year ago
When I was working for social services, a woman was denied a single parent allowance because she was living with her boyfriend. when she came to challenge the decision, I explained we had evidence she's not single because they share one room, she replied that they slept together in the same bed but he kept his pants...
Danish Susanne 1 year ago
I suppose the rules are about sharing expenses, not sex
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Mimi La Souris 1 year ago
i HAAAAAATE these people, so rude.I always wanted to push theirs headphones into an anatomical place without network
#18
Jaya 1 year ago
April Bloom makes me so happy. Whenever I see these comics on BP, I'm hoping there's a lot with her in it.
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Vira 1 year ago
I've had this experience countless times, but the weirdest one is when it's the cashier talking to me as I buy things. Cashier will tell me how everything is bad, or how to take care of items I'm purchasing. It's unbelievably awkward and irritating to have someone explain to me how to use an item I've been using for multiple decades, and I darn well know their "advice" is B.S. One lady tried to tell me only to use spring water to wash my baking sheet.
#21
Kelly H. Wilder 1 year ago
But the little signs are the best part of these comics!
Load More Replies... Epona 1 year ago (edited)
Isn't that info in the car's manual that should be in the glove compartment? Also, it's usually a lever under the driver's seat (depending on the kind of car). Same with the lever to open the trunk
Papa 1 year ago (edited)
I haven't bought a vehicle in a very long time, but the owner's manual is probably online now instead of in the glove compartment.
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#23
Vira 1 year ago
Honest to God, how lazy are you that it's that hard to find things in a store? Inventory shifts. Businesses stop selling items so new items are stocked, so items shift around. It's fine. Just ask an employee for help, or read the hanging signs. What a ridiculously trivial complaint.
Gavin Johnson 1 year ago
Tell me about your compassion for people with challenges that you are unaware of.
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#26
Griffy 1 year ago
Cell phones and internet caused this problem, unfortunately. Always connected.
Load More Replies... Tasha Love 1 year ago
One time at the school I used to work at, the office manager called a teacher over the summer...the teacher was in her wedding gown about to walk down the aisle. 😅
Sven Horlemann 1 year ago
It is always the same: They try to make their problems your problems. You do not need to do anything.
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SheamusFanFrom1987 1 year ago
Paul? I don't know, I always thought Tabby was more of a Tom guy XP
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