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"The customer is always right," reads customer service rule number one, popularized back in the early 1900s. Is this slogan truly correct, though? I'm pretty sure that anyone who's ever worked in this field has had the pleasure of encountering at least a few customers that were being rude to them for no apparent reason. I mean, we've even made a list of times customers acted like total jerks and got shamed for it.
And even though in such situations, the staff are expected to suck it up and stay collected, there's always a sneakier and a more subtle way to get back. Recently, TikTok user @officialtbw asked fellow customer service workers to share things they've done to a customer who has been rude to them, and started it all by revealing how he sometimes gives people cold butter instead of room-temperature, because he knows that cold butter will rip up their bread. Since then, thousands of TikTok users have jumped on the bandwagon by sharing their own little stories.
Without further ado, Bored Panda invites you to look through a list of some of the funniest, most savage and passive-aggressive ways customer service workers have gotten revenge on impolite customers. Don't forget to vote for your favorite ones and share your own stories in the comment section!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
someone paid me $17 in change while laughing to their friend that I'd have to count it so I lost count 6 times right as I was about to be done countin
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#2
As a delivery driver I once spent the entire drive en route to a chronically rude customer's house shaking the bottle of soda they'd ordered
#3
I took a deep breath and was extra nice to them. They were so triggered but sounded insane complaining to my boss about how nice I was being
#4
when I was a teacher I had a parent was constantly rude. I told her her baby started walking so she missed her first steps
#5
Under blend their smoothies so the little chunks block their straws
#6
I'm in heating & air and if they're rude...I tell them it'll take 3 days to get the part for their heater..even though I have the part. be cold karen
Anna roberts 4 years ago
Worked at a Wendy's in HS. Do not piss of the people while ordering at the drive thru. JS
#7
Sprayed fart spray in the isle because they didn't wear a mask and cussed me out when I told them we required a mask
#8
When I was a cashier if anyone came to my register on the phone I always talked to them loudly to make it harder for them to talk on the phone
#9
allow them to put their card in to pay and hit escape so they have to do it again. repeat until I feel better
#10
If they threw their money at me to pay, I'd throw their change back at them, smile and walk away
#11
I “accidentally” forget to take the sensors off so they have to come back and I can waste their “precious time”
#12
Be nice to the wedding photographer. If you're not I include all the awful photos of you & sometimes even add some weight in photoshop
#14
Used to work at a grocery store, if people were extremely rude to me I would squash their loaf of bread in my hand while packing it in a bag
#15
I put extra, extra hot sauce in their salsa then do not refill their drinks
#16
If someone was being very rude to me I would save their number at the end of the day and put it in insurance offers and stuff so they would get calls
#17
I worked in the drive-thru at a Wendy's. rude people got broken straws for their sodas. because nothings more annoying than a cracked straw
#19
Sometimes if they get kids meals, I'll give each one a different toy so maybe the kids will fight over it and annoy the parents
#20
I've given a tip back and said “ you clearly need this more than I do”
#21
I work at a deli and when I customer is being a Karen I'll squish the cheese together after I slice it so it's impossible to separate later
#22
One time I gave someone their 99 cents change back in nickels and pennies because “that's all we had in store at the moment”
#23
I put them on my “don't take cake from her” contact list so when they call, i always tell them I'm booked
#24
I worked at Verizon and I would make sure a little dust got under their glass screen protector on their phone
#25
give them decafe espresso shots
#26
I work at a restaurant and I made a lady wait the entire 40 minute wait time we quoted her even tho her table was ready in 20 minutes
Graham Baker 4 years ago (edited)
they haven’t paid, have they? plus now you have an open table!
Load More Replies...
#27
I used to work at a coffee shop and if someone was rude to me, I wouldn't stir their coffee so that all the sugar would just sit at the bottom!
Graham Baker 4 years ago
or you could over-sweeten their coffee. because they could stand to be a whole lot sweeter.
#28
Grocery store worker here and when rude asking To see if a product was in the back politely told him it had been recalled cuz people died
#29
I used to purposely put the french fries at McDonald's upside down so it would spill as they pulled them out
#30
Nonchalantly break their candy bars in half as I bagged them
Average Grizzlies Fan 4 years ago
If this is Kit Kat or Hershey then you are helping them, any other candy and it is just what they deserve
#31
Not offer whipped cream on their hot chocolate because it's the best and they're the worst
Average Grizzlies Fan 4 years ago
I'm honestly not a huge fan of whipped cream. I know a lot of people that love it though; it's always the most popular thing with the Thanksgiving dessert.
#32
I don't say a word to them and the person after them I'm alway extra and hyper with them. the look back like huh
#33
If a customer spells their name out to me rudely, I spell it wrong just to make myself feel better
#34
When I worked at a grocery store & ppl would throw their money onto the moving conveyer belt instead of my open hand, I'd let the belt eat the money
#35
I work at a bqq restaurant and someone ordered $150 worth of food with no tip and I “forgot” all their bqq sauce oopssss
#36
When I worked at McDonald's and rude people would ask for extra sauce, I would give them pancake syrup
#37
In a hotel... put them in a room above the parking garage entrance/valet. Also scheduled 4am wake up calls
#39
I'm an ultrasound tech...I used the COLD gel even though we have gel warmers
Daisy Chain 4 years ago (edited)
I feel like this is a bit rude, as it's someone's body you are being rude to. Also, if it's a pregnant lady, as a women, I know that hormones tend to skyrocket when we are pregnant.
#40
Leave them on hold..... for a long time.... and then *accidentally* hung up and turned off my phone for lunch
#41
I work at checkers/rally's fast food. Rude people come thru all the time. I full their cups up with so much ice so they get barely any soda lol
#42
Used to cut off the ends of mustard packets
#43
I used to double charge them so they had to go wait in the customer service line to get a refund
#44
When I worked retail I made sure to charge for each and every bag they use. Where as usually I just charge for one or two but never the full amount
#45
Karen got angry because we aren't allowed to hold anything, second she left the store i hid every single item she was after so she wouldn't find it
Daisy Chain 4 years ago
But she had already left the store? Isn't this just making it inconvenient for other customers? And your fellow employees have to somehow find those things when other people need them,
#47
Late arrival guest didn't tip when I help them with the luggage I phoned them in the middle of the night and hang up
#48
I unscrewed their shampoo bottles and put all their stuff in a really big bag!
Heather Atwood 4 years ago
This is not inconvenient and costs money to the store when they bring it back to be replaced.
#49
When they leave their cards behind, I throw them away now they have to wait 5-7 business days before they can get a replacement
#50
When i worked at mcdonald's we'd charge karen's and rude customers for extra sides, sometimes $5 worth
What do you think ?
Caroline 4 years ago
Some of these are funny and revenge is sweet, I'm just not very amused if someone is being stressed. When I'm upset or having a really bad day I can sometimes be rude, but when I calm down a little I'll apologize (if I'm still there, say like McDonalds, I'll go back to the cashier to apologize) for my behaviour. Everyone can have a bad day or be very stressed. I would feel really stupid if I did something mean to a customer in secret, only to have the customer apologize later.
Candy Rae 4 years ago
Its not ok to be rude but its also not ok to mess with peoples orders/ sabotage stuff aka not do your job. Id rather be the better person.
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Candy Rae 4 years ago
I think this article is somewhat harmful. Its one thing to be petty in your personal life but i dont think i want to celebrate people purposely do ing a crap job because someone was was a bit rude. Lower yourself to their level...does that make you a better person? I like the " act super fake nice so they cant complain" thats the only one i would do.
Ray Lebowski 4 years ago
Some people just don't get it when you're overly nice, trying to make the point that they shouldn't be jerks. Sometimes you have to hit them twice with a 2 x 4 before they realize it's wood.
Load More Replies...
Awsomemom52 4 years ago
I had these two annoying regulars while working at a poolside cafe. They were loud, rude and never obeyed our rules ... like not putting drinks on the edge of the pool table, not smoking at the table (that was almost 30 years ago) etc. So I was always polite to them ... but no more. When they were back, other regular customers came, whom I greeted warmly, we made short small talk, exchanged compliments and I smiled warmly the whole time. When the "annoying guests" paid, they said I would never get a tip from them because I was never so nice to them. I just put on my "customer smile" and said: This is how I treat guests who I like because they are always nice ... as opposed to both of you!
Dorothy Cloud 4 years ago
There is no end to rude people. I know, I used to work with the public. I didn't do anything except get slow and if necessary.......slower.
*sigh*, The Yellow Teletubby 4 years ago (edited)
There's this one candle store I'd really like to work at, and it being a candle store, it tends to attract a LOT of karens. I'm going to get to know all the employees there, and when I leave/quit, I'm going to put up my number in the back room for the newer/younger employees to call me if a karen comes in there and starts screaming at them if they can't do something. I don't care WHERE I am, WHAT I'm doing, I will drop it if someone calls me and asks for help with a karen. I could pose as a customer or a manager "on break", and depending on the situation, either be really extremely calm with them if it seems they've had a bad day and give them (really quickly expiring) $5 coupons (bc it's an expensive candle store and $5 don't do anything lmao), or I'll just yell at them and/or take the blow for the employees. No one working ANYWHERE deserves to be yelled at by a karen. I'm pretty good at calming karens down, since 3 of my parents ARE karens and I have experience with it.
christopherahrendt1 2 weeks ago
SO this article is way old but I want to chime in about a get back I had. I was working for at a popular mall in a store that sold body lotions and potions,. This man came in 5 mins to close on Christmas eve to purchase a gift for his wife, He was rude and demeaning to me but did not want to have anything to do with the thought of what is good. I spent a little extra time and built a beautiful gift basket that I assured him she would love... It was all firming creams for the skin that is loose. B**t Firming cream, eye creams... nothing that says Merry Christmas than gifting her with items that point out her aging flaws. I imagine his Christmas was spent with the mistress . Lol
John Baker 4 years ago (edited)
Such childish pettiness. None of these people would last long working for me. When you work with the public, you're going to have to deal with rude people. That's just a given. If you can't do so in a professional manner, I don't need you.
Isabel Care 4 years ago
Parents had quite a big house, when people phoned and were rude I would never know if someone was in. I would have to go and see if I could find them, even if they were standing right next to me. I worked as the lowest ranking office wallah in the civil service, but had to order the stationery, including loo roll. One of our offices was closer to naval stores than to us, so they often got stuff from there...until they discovered that I ordered soft, absorbent loo roll. If they offended me, I made them use the Izal Medicated navy issue stuff. Power.
Ray Lebowski 4 years ago
What gives them the right to take their frustrations with others out on the service person? You have a problem with someone, TAKE IT UP WITH THEM, not with the Wendy's/Starbucks/McDonald's/Kroger/Etc. clerk.
Load More Replies... 
Imtiredandiwannagotobed 4 years ago
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Caroline 4 years ago
Some of these are funny and revenge is sweet, I'm just not very amused if someone is being stressed. When I'm upset or having a really bad day I can sometimes be rude, but when I calm down a little I'll apologize (if I'm still there, say like McDonalds, I'll go back to the cashier to apologize) for my behaviour. Everyone can have a bad day or be very stressed. I would feel really stupid if I did something mean to a customer in secret, only to have the customer apologize later.
Candy Rae 4 years ago
Its not ok to be rude but its also not ok to mess with peoples orders/ sabotage stuff aka not do your job. Id rather be the better person.
Load More Replies... Candy Rae 4 years ago
I think this article is somewhat harmful. Its one thing to be petty in your personal life but i dont think i want to celebrate people purposely do ing a crap job because someone was was a bit rude. Lower yourself to their level...does that make you a better person? I like the " act super fake nice so they cant complain" thats the only one i would do.
Ray Lebowski 4 years ago
Some people just don't get it when you're overly nice, trying to make the point that they shouldn't be jerks. Sometimes you have to hit them twice with a 2 x 4 before they realize it's wood.
Load More Replies... Awsomemom52 4 years ago
I had these two annoying regulars while working at a poolside cafe. They were loud, rude and never obeyed our rules ... like not putting drinks on the edge of the pool table, not smoking at the table (that was almost 30 years ago) etc. So I was always polite to them ... but no more. When they were back, other regular customers came, whom I greeted warmly, we made short small talk, exchanged compliments and I smiled warmly the whole time. When the "annoying guests" paid, they said I would never get a tip from them because I was never so nice to them. I just put on my "customer smile" and said: This is how I treat guests who I like because they are always nice ... as opposed to both of you!
Dorothy Cloud 4 years ago
There is no end to rude people. I know, I used to work with the public. I didn't do anything except get slow and if necessary.......slower.
*sigh*, The Yellow Teletubby 4 years ago (edited)
There's this one candle store I'd really like to work at, and it being a candle store, it tends to attract a LOT of karens. I'm going to get to know all the employees there, and when I leave/quit, I'm going to put up my number in the back room for the newer/younger employees to call me if a karen comes in there and starts screaming at them if they can't do something. I don't care WHERE I am, WHAT I'm doing, I will drop it if someone calls me and asks for help with a karen. I could pose as a customer or a manager "on break", and depending on the situation, either be really extremely calm with them if it seems they've had a bad day and give them (really quickly expiring) $5 coupons (bc it's an expensive candle store and $5 don't do anything lmao), or I'll just yell at them and/or take the blow for the employees. No one working ANYWHERE deserves to be yelled at by a karen. I'm pretty good at calming karens down, since 3 of my parents ARE karens and I have experience with it.
christopherahrendt1 2 weeks ago
SO this article is way old but I want to chime in about a get back I had. I was working for at a popular mall in a store that sold body lotions and potions,. This man came in 5 mins to close on Christmas eve to purchase a gift for his wife, He was rude and demeaning to me but did not want to have anything to do with the thought of what is good. I spent a little extra time and built a beautiful gift basket that I assured him she would love... It was all firming creams for the skin that is loose. B**t Firming cream, eye creams... nothing that says Merry Christmas than gifting her with items that point out her aging flaws. I imagine his Christmas was spent with the mistress . Lol
John Baker 4 years ago (edited)
Such childish pettiness. None of these people would last long working for me. When you work with the public, you're going to have to deal with rude people. That's just a given. If you can't do so in a professional manner, I don't need you.
Isabel Care 4 years ago
Parents had quite a big house, when people phoned and were rude I would never know if someone was in. I would have to go and see if I could find them, even if they were standing right next to me. I worked as the lowest ranking office wallah in the civil service, but had to order the stationery, including loo roll. One of our offices was closer to naval stores than to us, so they often got stuff from there...until they discovered that I ordered soft, absorbent loo roll. If they offended me, I made them use the Izal Medicated navy issue stuff. Power.
Ray Lebowski 4 years ago
What gives them the right to take their frustrations with others out on the service person? You have a problem with someone, TAKE IT UP WITH THEM, not with the Wendy's/Starbucks/McDonald's/Kroger/Etc. clerk.
Load More Replies... Imtiredandiwannagotobed 4 years ago
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