Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
30 Savage Burns By Employees Who Are Tired Of Clueless, Dumb And Frustrating Things Customers Say
The customer is always right. Whether they forgot to ask for their pizza with no tomatoes until it arrived at their table or they swear they had a coupon for soup in their basket but now it’s nowhere to be found. One of the unfortunate aspects of working in any customer service job is dealing with customers who seem to have left their common sense at home. From asking stupid questions to making illogical demands, every retail or service industry employee has a treasure trove of stories about customers who should have taken a moment to think before they spoke.
Last week, Westernunion2k tweeted, “Customers will say [stuff] like ‘Uhh it's asking me to remove my card?’” and sparked a conversation where many other employees shared moments from their jobs where customers made them want to facepalm. Below, you can read some of the conversation, and then let us know in the comments what the stupidest thing you’ve ever heard a customer or client say was. Then if you’re interested in reading another similar Bored Panda piece, we’ve got the perfect story mocking even more customers right here. Image credits: westernunion2k
This post may include affiliate links.
Obviously, the customer is not always right, but for some reason, particularly in the United States, that is the understanding that all customers and employees have in the service industry. Workers are expected to bend over backwards for their patrons, while the customers expect to be treated like royalty. While it’s not completely clear where this old motto originated, various American retail pioneers like Marshall Field, Harry Gordon Selfridge and John Wanamaker have all been credited for popularizing the idea. Although, it was not a purely American mindset, as the Swiss hotelier Cesar Ritz, founder of Ritz Carlton hotels, had a similar slogan in the 1890s of “Le client n'a jamais tort”, or “the customer is never wrong”.
RELATED:
#2
Fitz_N_Fartz 3 years ago
'Working in retail taught me how many adults can't read', there, amended it for you......
Phil Vaive 3 years ago
Nah, they know how. They're just too god damn lazy
Load More Replies...
Jo pay me more 3 years ago
Oh yes! Also the ones that ask for a product we don't stock, have never stocked and never will stock, but still insist that they bought it here last week. No, Madam, you didn't, you really didn't.!
Ovata Acronicta 3 years ago
"These mattress toppers are on sale, the sign says-" Let's go look at the sign. Ah, yes, the sign says "*These* mattress toppers are on sale" with logos of the brands in question. "But the sign says-" Yeah, it says the brand you didn't grab. "BUT THE SIGN SAYS-" repeat ad nauseam
Kate Jones 3 years ago
So true. Not only refuse to read but also take out their anger that they didn't read it properly the first time. Then they realize it's their fault and instead of apologizing like an adult tries to find other ways it's your fault.
Penny Lost 3 years ago
I used to work in retail & there was once a woman who brought back a pair of shorts she had purchased a few days prior. Her reasoning for the return? "They've shrunk, like, twice the size!" OK, the shorts were 100% cotton, with a BIG label that said in BIG letters: "COLD WASH ONLY!" Her response? "What, am I supposed to, like, read the instructions?! Are you kidding me??" Considering the fact that the label also had very clear pictures of what not/to do, she would've failed to understand cave paintings as well.
Martin Forbes 3 years ago
At my workplace, we have a Pay and Collect service where the customer buys online then picks up in store, they get an email confirmation to say that it has arrived and that they have 28 days maximum to collect. All they have to do is follow the instructions on what to do when in store as it's 'Contactless" now. We had a customer who literally printed out the "Collect In Store"" button on a piece of A4 sized paper and handed it over to a colleague, who then had to show them what to do on their phone to collect it. this happens on a regular basis, and we get insulted for working for that particular company !!
James G. Currie 3 years ago (edited)
Refuse? The correct word is can't... They graduated. That means that reading is no longer required, so they have conveniently forgotten how. -- EDIT: Apparently at least one person doesn't have to deal with members of the General Public... I see at least a handful a day that in 20 years will proudly announce they have not read a single thing since they graduated!
Sada Singrajphak 3 years ago
I work in retail too & the amount of times adults “can’t read” the signs just baffles me. Like for example, if we have a promotion of buy 2 get 1 free..they will read “buy 1 get 1 free” 🤦♀️
Colin Matthews 3 years ago (edited)
Amen-I used to sell Retail Finance on things. At least 90% of people wouldn't read anything on the contracts. I eventually made all my staff force customers to initial each page as well as sign on the agreement area. Made my life soooo much easier when any complaints would come in 2-3 years later. "Sir/Ma'am, Is this your initials? Is this your signature?"
AspieGirl88 3 years ago
I’m kinda on the fence about this one. I have a sister & at least 1 niece/3 nephews who have ranged from mild to severe dyslexia, all of whom don’t read so well as others, so I can empathise over their struggles. Being the total opposite, an avid bookworm; I strongly believe that if a person is able to read without difficulty, they should at least attempt to read stuff that interests them, as it paves the way to a healthier mind. Also, now that everything is digital, I feel there’s no reason good enough as to why those who are able should avoid reading altogether; especially if they want to build their education & careers for the better. 😅📚🤷♀️
P. Mozzani 3 years ago
It's judgmental to state that people "reuse to read." "According to the U.S. Department of Education, 54% of U.S. adults 16-74 years old - about 130 million people - lack proficiency in literacy, reading below the equivalent of a sixth-grade level. That’s a shocking number for several reasons, and its dollars and cents implications are enormous because literacy is correlated with several important outcomes such as personal income, employment levels, health, and overall economic growth." I am a retired teacher and cannot tell you how many children are "promoted" to a higher grade level when they do not have basic reading skills ("thanks" to No Child Left Behind.) Those children become adults who still lack those basic skills. Let's stop judging and deciding that "we" know best.
DennyS (denzoren) 3 years ago
"I can't read while I'm also trying to see things" - Jon 2, IT Crowd. It was about subtitles but still relevant. Lol
Judy Meade 3 years ago
I used to work in retail many years ago....in the 80s/90s....some customers were worse than others. However, now that I'm "old" and not too computer saavy and forgetful etc etc....you will be there too someday, if you're lucky....I am a lot slower, physically and mentally. Please have patience with your older customers....it might be their eyesight is bad or their medication is off or they are tired and confused....have some patience and be kind.
Leigh Waters 3 years ago
This happens to me on a daily basis and I lose count of how many eye rolls I achieve. Due to the company I work for the pricing labels read £1.5, £2.5 etc and the amount of customers that say the label said One Pound and Five Pence. When did grasping basic maths become so difficult? Point five of a whole is half not one twentieth.
Janet Graham 3 years ago
True, but most retail stores have so many signs it is hard to know which ones need to be read and which ones are just brain junk.
Other countries have their own versions of this saying as well, as Blake Morgan pointed out in her Forbes piece “A Global View Of 'The Customer Is Always Right'”. In Spanish, the phrase is “el cliente siempre tiene la razón”, while “il cliente ha sempre ragione” is the Italian equivalent. These both translate to “the customer always has a reason”, so employees are tasked with understanding the customer’s reasoning and accommodating them accordingly. The German phrase takes it one step further by saying “der Kunde ist König” or the customer is king. In Japan, customers are even referred to as gods. These ideas run deep in many societies, as Blake pointed out that even in 1905, a publication from Sears, Robuck and Co. in the United States said, “Every one of their thousands of employees are instructed to satisfy the customer regardless of whether the customer is right or wrong.”
Customers are not immune to saying stupid things, in fact they might be prone to doing it, but employees are often told to treat them like they are. One reason for this is to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty. I once worked a customer service job where the highest priority was to just make sure a customer never left upset. Offer them a gift card or free service, apologize profusely, but just don’t let them leave thinking they will never come back. This is not always the best tactic, however, because as Kathy Dalpes at Zendesk points out, “Your employees are your customers as well.”
#8
The Panarchist (They/He) 3 years ago (edited)
Yeah because it’s supposed to automatically know it. What kind of Walmart are you? /s
#9
Paul C. 3 years ago
My Father-in-law, bless him, went to the local burger bar, he was in his late eighties. They called out his order but he was a bit hard of hearing. After a few calls, one of the staff shouted "it's for the old boy at the back". To which FIL turned and said why don't these old duffers ever listen. Much laughter ensued, and he was, for some reason, very happy to tell everyone about it for days.
“Some critics of the idea that ‘the customer is always right’ contend that it amounts to putting customers above employees or the business itself, but there doesn’t have to be a tradeoff here,” Kathy explains. “If you treat your employees as well as your customers, and empower them with the technology, processes and creative enablement to deliver truly frictionless experiences, your customers will become advocates for your business.”
It is a delicate balance for business owners to satisfy their patrons without alienating their employees. But Kathy explains that in this modern day, accommodating customers is more about providing a frictionless experience than about believing every silly little thing a customer says.
To provide the smoothest experience possible for customers, Kathy notes that businesses must make themselves available. Whether that means running active social media accounts, having specialists available to chat with customers on the website, or having phone lines open 24/7, being responsive means a lot to customers. Zendesk reports that they’ve seen a massive rise in “customer support tickets on social messaging channels” since the beginning of the pandemic, with over a 100% increase just on WhatsApp. Knowing that they can have their problems solved quickly and without any difficulties makes customers feel taken care of, and it encourages them to trust the company. They will be more likely to return in the future, and they’ll even spread the message to friends and family.
#14
Understanding who your customer base is can also be important. Customer loyalty is a huge focus for many companies today, and with the technology we have at our fingertips, there is no reason for a business to not understand customer trends. According to the Zendesk Customer Experience Trends Report, “71% of customers expect companies to collaborate and share data internally, so they don’t have to repeat themselves.” A customer may not always remember the name of the stylist who cut their hair 3 months ago, but they trust that the receptionist will be able to look it up for them. And you might not remember the last time you bought a pair of jeans, but your favorite retail store can probably tell you once you provide them with your phone number. The more information you have for a customer, the less likely they are to ask stupid questions, and the more likely they are to feel comfortable in your business.
#16
Wondering Alice 3 years ago
Going to be honest, before I could double check on my phone, I use to get really paranoid too.
#17
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
yep I do this all the time and I have a genius IQ. You need to just use cardreaders that accept the screen tap because we are all habituated to that now. if you have to tap the head of the device it's confusing. I'm one of those people who pushes doors with a clear sign that says "pull".
The customer does not always have to be treated like they are right, but it does not hurt to make them feel welcomed. Being conversational can also go a long way in making customers feel comfortable, and if an employee provides clear explanations and descriptions of products, the customer might not need to ask as many questions. Making a large purchase like a car or a new appliance can be nerve-racking, which might be part of the reason nervous customers say dumb things, but when an employee makes an effort to engage them in conversation, their fears may dissipate. “With the right tools, your employees— remember they’re customers too! — should be able to deliver true conversational experiences across all your customer touchpoints,” says Kathy Dalpes. “When both sides know each other the experience becomes more engaging, more natural, and ultimately, more successful.”
#19
Phil Vaive 3 years ago
I have been double charged in that exact scenario, though. Technology is FAR from perfect, and 20 years of working in customer service taught me that point of sale systems are the furthest from perfect that you can get without just using a stick and a rock to ring up your order
Now, aside from the dumb questions about when to remove their cards from the chip readers or how much something costs when the price is clearly on the product, there are certainly times where a customer is not only ignorant, but blatantly wrong. If they ask for water at a restaurant for the “second time” when you know it’s the first time, sure, they can be right. But if they are outright rude or bigoted, those customers are not worth keeping in the first place. According to the Pareto Principle, or the 80/20 rule, 20% of customers usually account for 80% of total profits. When you encounter a nightmare customer who is making employees, or other customers, uncomfortable, chances are, your business can afford to lose them. If catering to them is more effort than it’s worth, just hold the door open for them and hope they never come back.
#22
#23
Phil Vaive 3 years ago
If she's old, there's a very good chance that she has memory issues. Most of these are funny, this one is just cruel.
As we all know, it is impossible to please everyone. In one of my previous customer service jobs, within the same day, I would hear excited compliments and heated complaints about the music that was playing in the salon. Everyone has their own preferences, and that is okay. As Kumar Arora wrote in Forbes, “Using ‘the customer is always right’ in your daily business practices works under the assumption that you can satisfy every customer 24/7. This is a fool’s errand. Even the largest and most successful brands know this to be impossible, and so should you. People are unique. We all have different tastes in fashion, food, cars, homes, etc., and if you attempt to satisfy every customer's needs, your business will quickly fail.”
#25
Cactus McCoy 3 years ago
I wonder if this is a sign that sooooo many devices are misdesigned as they obviously do not meet how many people function.
#27
DennyS (denzoren) 3 years ago
"Insert the chip? I'm sorry, I ate all my fries. I didn't realize I needed to keep one for verification."
As much fun as it is to mock dumb things customers have said, it is also a reminder to not be that customer. Employees and patrons are just trying to get through the day, whether they are running an errand or working a job they are less than passionate about to provide for their family, so they both appreciate it when the other makes their life easier. Workers, try to have patience with customers who might be a little bit slow to understand things like card readers, and customers, just take a moment to think before you speak. Or you might end up being roasted on Twitter.
#28
Stoopham McFernybabes 3 years ago
Early’s 2000’s there used to be an option for that - you could swipe your card and enter your pin while the cashier was scanning then you just had to “approve” at the end. Doesn’t exist anymore, and I’m sure I can guess why, but I liked it for those quick trips with a small basket of stuff.
#29
DennyS (denzoren) 3 years ago
It should read my mind before you even punch it in or swipe the card. I should just think of it and it happens - Customer
#30
Jo pay me more 3 years ago
I work in a store, but usually shop in another. Often out of uniform, but, once, after I had finished work I nipped over to the other store quickly while still in my uniform. Neither uniforms look similar and both are branded with the names of the stores. While buying my shopping and putting it in the cart another customer came over, stared fixedly at me then asked me if I worked there and did I know what aisle the toiletries were in. I just stared back, dumbfounded!
#32
WordWeaver 3 years ago
People can get flummoxed by things like this - often poor education or dyslexia plus social anxiety. try to be kind and patient.
#33
Michael Lechner 3 years ago
These are the same people who can’t wait for you to unlock the car door so they can open it
#35
Michael Lechner 3 years ago
Customer: I just need a minute of your time (Five minutes later; customer is still asking questions and one of your coworkers walks by and says) Coworker: Hey, I thought you were headed to lunch!
#36
Vepřík Boubelatý 3 years ago (edited)
If the customer looks like this, i´ll say yes to any b******t that drop out from their mouth.
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Emma Dakin 3 years ago
I know all of the above is extremely frustrating but I am one of those annoying people... I suffer with terrible anxiety and I start to panic sometimes the moment I put my shoes on to leave the house then when I get home after shopping I want to close my curtains, cry and never leave the house again after I go over and over in my mind how dumb and annoying I must've been. (typing this is anxiety inducing let alone hitting the post button!) I do apologise! X
Phil Vaive 3 years ago
I have severe anxiety as well, and spent 20 years working in customer service, so I feel your pain. Most service workers won't remember you the second you walk out the door. Honestly, people just aren't paying that much attention to you, because they're paying too much attention to themselves. I'm saying this to be helpful!
Load More Replies...
wowbagger 3 years ago
I don't think a lot of store employees realize how over-stimulating and confusing their shopping environment can be for someone with social anxiety, ADHD, or mild cognitive decline. And they get annoyed if you try to put in your card too fast, but also if you don't do it fast enough. And every store has a slightly different kind of card reader. Restaurants, too, can sometimes be very loud and distracting, plus you're trying to have a conversation with your dinner companions, so you might need extra cognitive processing time when you're asked a question. Can we try to be a little more patient and less ableist with each other?
Phil Vaive 3 years ago
As long as these little rants are just happening outside of work, I get it. It can be annoying for the employees to have the same conversation with people over and over. As soon as they let it affect how they're treating the customer, though, they're the assholes. Because you're right, there are a lot of potential reasons people may not be able to follow the "simple" instructions, and if the customer isn't being a jerk about it, there's no need to be a jerk back to them.
Load More Replies...
Naz Fride 3 years ago (edited)
It seems like 70% of these dealt with card readers, so maybe it’s that card readers really are annoyingly confusing and inconsistent, and it’s not us (customers). As customers we expect you (the employee) to be more familiar with how it works, and that means that, rather than learn how each new one works, we might ask you to walk us through its operation, which is the LEAST you can do.
Emily 3 years ago
100% this. Why are they all so different and difficult!
Load More Replies... Jo pay me more 3 years ago
I really don't know why so many customers do this but a horde will turn up at two minutes before closing and insist on doing a full shop! Why? I feel we should be able to, legally round them up, ten minutes later and chase them out of the store with cattle prods. We have homes to go to, too, you know, and we've worked a long shift. Anything from 8-12 hours for some of us. If customers want to do a full shop then, please, for the love of God, come in earlier
Lost Panda 3 years ago
They do it because of their sense of entitlement, humans are assholes and they get more and assholey daily, common courtesy for others is heading to extinction
Load More Replies...
Powerful Katrinka 3 years ago
I worked in retail for a long, long time. I know how exasperating customers can be. I also know that I don't know a thing about them, or what they may be going through. I had to buy groceries the day I learned my mom had unexpectedly died, and I had to ask for help for everything. I also struggle with severe social anxiety, which often makes it so I can't take in information the first time. My aggravation levels dropped precipitously when I realized that all I needed to do was treat customers as whole, complex human beings.
JessRS 3 years ago
A lot of customer service people bitching about how old people can't do things, b***h, you were born with a smartphone in your palm, some of these people didn't even have a TV at home growing up.
Jude Laskowski 3 years ago
Sometimes I wish stores would have a line just for folks over 65.
Load More Replies...
Lily Robertson 3 years ago
I love the ones who have me ring up 47 items, THEN the ask if we take apple pay. It's always the apple pay people. Nobody waits till I've entered 47 items then ask if we take credit cards. They ask first.
Java Addict 3 years ago
Apple pay people are some of the most annoying customers ever. Why do they all assume that everywhere takes it and never bring a physical card with them?
Load More Replies...
Data1001 3 years ago
I've worked many jobs where I dealt directly with customers, and once again, articles like this convince me that there are a lot of people who shouldn't be working in jobs that deal with the public.
Helena Hultström 3 years ago
Absolutely. I work in retail and I really shouldn't. I do it because I need my job to survive. And I am probably not alone in this. It's no use telling me I shouldn't be working in jobs that deal with the public. I should because I need to pay my bills. I nonetheless try to be empathetic because it makes the job easier.
Load More Replies...
Jill Bussey 3 years ago
Every customer should be aware that the full quotation is "the customer is always right in matters of fashion."
kath morgan 3 years ago
My favourite is when they’ve already paid, I rang it up, I’m grabbing change, and they suddenly try to alter the money they gave me. You want me to go through the process of refunding this and doing it over, do you? You think that’s helpful to anyone?
kcanded 3 years ago
I often think that EVERYONE needs to take a customer service job or a sales job when they graduate from high school. Perhaps then we'll get more thoughtful and patient customers.
Load More Replies...
Carrie Divine 3 years ago
As a server and someone with anxiety, I have no problem with customers who forget or panic when asked a question. It's how you respond as in, your level of manners, kindness, etc. There's a right way and a wrong way to everything and guess what the right way is going to get you more often than not? As long as customers are considerate and patient, we will be fine. Act like an a*****e and rude and you can find your way out and never come back.
Step 3 years ago
If you are this impatient with errors or human error/mistakes. You should not be dealing with people.
Helena Hultström 3 years ago
Retail is low income jobs. People who work there do it out of necessity, not because they love dealing with customers/want to work with people (there are exceptions of course). If you are the misanthropic kind you have to lie to your boss that you LOOOVE working with people because you need the job to live. This from personal experiance.
Load More Replies...
Sydney-Kate 3 years ago
I work at a soda place (it’s called fiiz) and we’ve been out of these little churro-donut things for a few months and every day people call and ask if we have them. When i say no they always swear at me and say that I’m ruining they're day because we’re out of chonuts, like lady the whole time I’ve worked here I’ve never seen a freaking chonut. People are also so rude coming through the drive through if they’re drink isn’t made in like 0.2 milliseconds
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
Hmm to me it seems that these store employees do not buy stuff with digital solutions and they're not used to the glitches that occur. Which is strange. You'd think working in retail they'd know that GLITCHES DO OCCUR with electronics. ALWAYS.
removebeforeflight 3 years ago (edited)
I had that situation once 😅 Still remember it. I worked in a small convenience shop for a while back then. One guy came inside and asked me where was the underground station for a line nr.50. I stared at him and announced there was no underground at all at this city. He was really annoyed and said I was not helpful. Like guy, how can I help you with that? Dig an underground for you?
Helen 3 years ago
Have you ever realized how many signs are there in shops? It's overwhelming. If it's not your regular store, then it's likely you will oversee something obvious. I can't tell you how many times I stood in line for 10 items only pushing full shopping cart in front of me. And if something is happening too often, then it also may not be because of stupid customers but because of bad design.
Chonky 3 years ago
High pitched beeping is one of the first things you lose the ability to hear when you get older. They are standing looking at you because they can't hear it. And older people take longer to process things, this happens to everyone including you in the future. Also, shops are confusing noisy bright and overstimulating for a lot of people. Help instead of being snarky ffs.
Carol Stephen 3 years ago
Cashiers have a lot of experience with their checkout process and machinery. Customers have to deal with many different machines with many different processes. Time to take a deep breath and think about how the customer feels. Just occasionally right?
ReggieTx 3 years ago
My local pharmacy got brand new electronic readers that not only took the payments but allowed for customers to sign off on required documents so they wouldn't have to waste so much paper. The head pharmacist was a good friend and he was so happy to be getting these, he started telling me about them weeks before they arrived. The very day they got them, customers started ruining them by trying to write on the digital screen with real pens. Because people are stupid.
Lady Luna 3 years ago
In my country we use our banking app to pay with qr for everything: groceries, taxes, services, gas, streaming services, transfer money, etc. I barely use cash now. It's so weird that you americans can't do that.
Jude Laskowski 3 years ago
I pay cash for everything. I don't have to carry a phone around, and I don't have to check my bank statement for errors. There is also no trail of what I purchased. You keep loving your country, and I'll love mine.
Load More Replies...
GirlFriday 3 years ago
It isn't retail, but here is one thing that drives me absolutely crazy. We do not accept cash for business. This isn't my rule, this isn't the company's rule, this isn't the CEO's rule. THIS IS A FEDERAL LAW. WE CANNOT ACCEPT CASH OR CASH INSTRUMENTS. The number of people that tell me, "I will just drop the cash by in the morning, or I can bring cash to you if you give me your address." NO YOU WON'T DYLAN. WE WON'T TAKE IT. DON'T BRING IT IN THE BUILDING. The next day, Dylan walks in with cash, drove 45 minutes to get here, we refuse the payment and explain why AGAIN. Dylan gets mad and wants to complain about me to my boss. I TOLD YOU NOT TO BRING CASH YESTERDAY!!!
Jill Chesterman 3 years ago
To all people passing through airport security: When they ask if you have any liquids, water counts. Does this really need to be explained?
Justme 3 years ago
Six years ago I was promoted to another department, they hired a new person to replace me. One woman in my old department still comes to me every week asking about one thing or another. My answer is always, “did you ask Christina?” Six years of this and she STILL comes to me with a question at least once a week.
JayWantsACat 3 years ago
Having worked lots of retail, yup. All of this. But a customer: "Can I please have a medium #2 with a diet coke?" "Them: "What size?" Me: medium." Them: "And to drink" Me: "DIET COKE.' Me trying to same them some them some time costs me more time. And, yes, I get that they're probably on auto-pilot because the they have to drag the info out of other customers. But still...
Jef Bateman 3 years ago
"That'll be $3.02." "Here's a five...Wait, I have the two cents." "Too late, I rang it up." "Can you just take the two cents and give me $2 back?" "Wait...wait...." *Counts on fingers for a while* "My machine calculates change...Here's your $1.98." This happens all the time. I realize that some people struggle with numbers, but when it happens as often as it does it indicates a problem with the education system.
Java Addict 3 years ago
Simple way to calculate the new change: add the change amount the register shows and the change the customer hands you together. So in this case, 1.98 + .02 = 2.00.
Load More Replies...
Wicked Moon216 3 years ago
You're probably one of the same people who replies to posts online about the shortage of workers in retail/food service that says "no one wants to work anymore", while also saying "get a life and another job if working with people is too difficult for you". Can you guess WHY there is a worker shortage?!?!
Load More Replies...
Emma Dakin 3 years ago
I know all of the above is extremely frustrating but I am one of those annoying people... I suffer with terrible anxiety and I start to panic sometimes the moment I put my shoes on to leave the house then when I get home after shopping I want to close my curtains, cry and never leave the house again after I go over and over in my mind how dumb and annoying I must've been. (typing this is anxiety inducing let alone hitting the post button!) I do apologise! X
Phil Vaive 3 years ago
I have severe anxiety as well, and spent 20 years working in customer service, so I feel your pain. Most service workers won't remember you the second you walk out the door. Honestly, people just aren't paying that much attention to you, because they're paying too much attention to themselves. I'm saying this to be helpful!
Load More Replies... wowbagger 3 years ago
I don't think a lot of store employees realize how over-stimulating and confusing their shopping environment can be for someone with social anxiety, ADHD, or mild cognitive decline. And they get annoyed if you try to put in your card too fast, but also if you don't do it fast enough. And every store has a slightly different kind of card reader. Restaurants, too, can sometimes be very loud and distracting, plus you're trying to have a conversation with your dinner companions, so you might need extra cognitive processing time when you're asked a question. Can we try to be a little more patient and less ableist with each other?
Phil Vaive 3 years ago
As long as these little rants are just happening outside of work, I get it. It can be annoying for the employees to have the same conversation with people over and over. As soon as they let it affect how they're treating the customer, though, they're the assholes. Because you're right, there are a lot of potential reasons people may not be able to follow the "simple" instructions, and if the customer isn't being a jerk about it, there's no need to be a jerk back to them.
Load More Replies... Naz Fride 3 years ago (edited)
It seems like 70% of these dealt with card readers, so maybe it’s that card readers really are annoyingly confusing and inconsistent, and it’s not us (customers). As customers we expect you (the employee) to be more familiar with how it works, and that means that, rather than learn how each new one works, we might ask you to walk us through its operation, which is the LEAST you can do.
Emily 3 years ago
100% this. Why are they all so different and difficult!
Load More Replies... Jo pay me more 3 years ago
I really don't know why so many customers do this but a horde will turn up at two minutes before closing and insist on doing a full shop! Why? I feel we should be able to, legally round them up, ten minutes later and chase them out of the store with cattle prods. We have homes to go to, too, you know, and we've worked a long shift. Anything from 8-12 hours for some of us. If customers want to do a full shop then, please, for the love of God, come in earlier
Lost Panda 3 years ago
They do it because of their sense of entitlement, humans are assholes and they get more and assholey daily, common courtesy for others is heading to extinction
Load More Replies... Powerful Katrinka 3 years ago
I worked in retail for a long, long time. I know how exasperating customers can be. I also know that I don't know a thing about them, or what they may be going through. I had to buy groceries the day I learned my mom had unexpectedly died, and I had to ask for help for everything. I also struggle with severe social anxiety, which often makes it so I can't take in information the first time. My aggravation levels dropped precipitously when I realized that all I needed to do was treat customers as whole, complex human beings.
JessRS 3 years ago
A lot of customer service people bitching about how old people can't do things, b***h, you were born with a smartphone in your palm, some of these people didn't even have a TV at home growing up.
Jude Laskowski 3 years ago
Sometimes I wish stores would have a line just for folks over 65.
Load More Replies... Lily Robertson 3 years ago
I love the ones who have me ring up 47 items, THEN the ask if we take apple pay. It's always the apple pay people. Nobody waits till I've entered 47 items then ask if we take credit cards. They ask first.
Java Addict 3 years ago
Apple pay people are some of the most annoying customers ever. Why do they all assume that everywhere takes it and never bring a physical card with them?
Load More Replies... Data1001 3 years ago
I've worked many jobs where I dealt directly with customers, and once again, articles like this convince me that there are a lot of people who shouldn't be working in jobs that deal with the public.
Helena Hultström 3 years ago
Absolutely. I work in retail and I really shouldn't. I do it because I need my job to survive. And I am probably not alone in this. It's no use telling me I shouldn't be working in jobs that deal with the public. I should because I need to pay my bills. I nonetheless try to be empathetic because it makes the job easier.
Load More Replies... Jill Bussey 3 years ago
Every customer should be aware that the full quotation is "the customer is always right in matters of fashion."
kath morgan 3 years ago
My favourite is when they’ve already paid, I rang it up, I’m grabbing change, and they suddenly try to alter the money they gave me. You want me to go through the process of refunding this and doing it over, do you? You think that’s helpful to anyone?
kcanded 3 years ago
I often think that EVERYONE needs to take a customer service job or a sales job when they graduate from high school. Perhaps then we'll get more thoughtful and patient customers.
Load More Replies... Carrie Divine 3 years ago
As a server and someone with anxiety, I have no problem with customers who forget or panic when asked a question. It's how you respond as in, your level of manners, kindness, etc. There's a right way and a wrong way to everything and guess what the right way is going to get you more often than not? As long as customers are considerate and patient, we will be fine. Act like an a*****e and rude and you can find your way out and never come back.
Step 3 years ago
If you are this impatient with errors or human error/mistakes. You should not be dealing with people.
Helena Hultström 3 years ago
Retail is low income jobs. People who work there do it out of necessity, not because they love dealing with customers/want to work with people (there are exceptions of course). If you are the misanthropic kind you have to lie to your boss that you LOOOVE working with people because you need the job to live. This from personal experiance.
Load More Replies... Sydney-Kate 3 years ago
I work at a soda place (it’s called fiiz) and we’ve been out of these little churro-donut things for a few months and every day people call and ask if we have them. When i say no they always swear at me and say that I’m ruining they're day because we’re out of chonuts, like lady the whole time I’ve worked here I’ve never seen a freaking chonut. People are also so rude coming through the drive through if they’re drink isn’t made in like 0.2 milliseconds
censorshipsucks 3 years ago
Hmm to me it seems that these store employees do not buy stuff with digital solutions and they're not used to the glitches that occur. Which is strange. You'd think working in retail they'd know that GLITCHES DO OCCUR with electronics. ALWAYS.
removebeforeflight 3 years ago (edited)
I had that situation once 😅 Still remember it. I worked in a small convenience shop for a while back then. One guy came inside and asked me where was the underground station for a line nr.50. I stared at him and announced there was no underground at all at this city. He was really annoyed and said I was not helpful. Like guy, how can I help you with that? Dig an underground for you?
Helen 3 years ago
Have you ever realized how many signs are there in shops? It's overwhelming. If it's not your regular store, then it's likely you will oversee something obvious. I can't tell you how many times I stood in line for 10 items only pushing full shopping cart in front of me. And if something is happening too often, then it also may not be because of stupid customers but because of bad design.
Chonky 3 years ago
High pitched beeping is one of the first things you lose the ability to hear when you get older. They are standing looking at you because they can't hear it. And older people take longer to process things, this happens to everyone including you in the future. Also, shops are confusing noisy bright and overstimulating for a lot of people. Help instead of being snarky ffs.
Carol Stephen 3 years ago
Cashiers have a lot of experience with their checkout process and machinery. Customers have to deal with many different machines with many different processes. Time to take a deep breath and think about how the customer feels. Just occasionally right?
ReggieTx 3 years ago
My local pharmacy got brand new electronic readers that not only took the payments but allowed for customers to sign off on required documents so they wouldn't have to waste so much paper. The head pharmacist was a good friend and he was so happy to be getting these, he started telling me about them weeks before they arrived. The very day they got them, customers started ruining them by trying to write on the digital screen with real pens. Because people are stupid.
Lady Luna 3 years ago
In my country we use our banking app to pay with qr for everything: groceries, taxes, services, gas, streaming services, transfer money, etc. I barely use cash now. It's so weird that you americans can't do that.
Jude Laskowski 3 years ago
I pay cash for everything. I don't have to carry a phone around, and I don't have to check my bank statement for errors. There is also no trail of what I purchased. You keep loving your country, and I'll love mine.
Load More Replies... GirlFriday 3 years ago
It isn't retail, but here is one thing that drives me absolutely crazy. We do not accept cash for business. This isn't my rule, this isn't the company's rule, this isn't the CEO's rule. THIS IS A FEDERAL LAW. WE CANNOT ACCEPT CASH OR CASH INSTRUMENTS. The number of people that tell me, "I will just drop the cash by in the morning, or I can bring cash to you if you give me your address." NO YOU WON'T DYLAN. WE WON'T TAKE IT. DON'T BRING IT IN THE BUILDING. The next day, Dylan walks in with cash, drove 45 minutes to get here, we refuse the payment and explain why AGAIN. Dylan gets mad and wants to complain about me to my boss. I TOLD YOU NOT TO BRING CASH YESTERDAY!!!
Jill Chesterman 3 years ago
To all people passing through airport security: When they ask if you have any liquids, water counts. Does this really need to be explained?
Justme 3 years ago
Six years ago I was promoted to another department, they hired a new person to replace me. One woman in my old department still comes to me every week asking about one thing or another. My answer is always, “did you ask Christina?” Six years of this and she STILL comes to me with a question at least once a week.
JayWantsACat 3 years ago
Having worked lots of retail, yup. All of this. But a customer: "Can I please have a medium #2 with a diet coke?" "Them: "What size?" Me: medium." Them: "And to drink" Me: "DIET COKE.' Me trying to same them some them some time costs me more time. And, yes, I get that they're probably on auto-pilot because the they have to drag the info out of other customers. But still...
Jef Bateman 3 years ago
"That'll be $3.02." "Here's a five...Wait, I have the two cents." "Too late, I rang it up." "Can you just take the two cents and give me $2 back?" "Wait...wait...." *Counts on fingers for a while* "My machine calculates change...Here's your $1.98." This happens all the time. I realize that some people struggle with numbers, but when it happens as often as it does it indicates a problem with the education system.
Java Addict 3 years ago
Simple way to calculate the new change: add the change amount the register shows and the change the customer hands you together. So in this case, 1.98 + .02 = 2.00.
Load More Replies... Wicked Moon216 3 years ago
You're probably one of the same people who replies to posts online about the shortage of workers in retail/food service that says "no one wants to work anymore", while also saying "get a life and another job if working with people is too difficult for you". Can you guess WHY there is a worker shortage?!?!
Load More Replies... You May Like 41 "Nice Girls" That Got A Reality Check Online For Their Delusional Behavior (New Pics) 50 Times People Left Hilariously Honest 1-Star Reviews Online 165 Of The Funniest Customer Service Jokes That Will Crack You Up
Justinas Keturka
Mindaugas Balčiauskas
Eligijus Sinkunas
Related on Bored Panda
