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Welcome to Bored Panda, how may I help you? Ah, I see. So, you Pandas work in the food, retail, and services industries and started the week off dealing with some incredibly dense customers. Denser than the core of Planet Earth, you say? Well, don’t worry about it, plenty of us have been there.

In fact, our team has collected a whole bunch of examples of the dumbest things that customers have said and done, to make you feel better. Trust us, you’re not alone in this. Of course, this isn’t to say that all customers are dumb: most are polite and decent. However, a small proportion of them are nightmare material and don’t even know what chicken wings are. And here’s the proof. Grab a soul-healing cup of tea, scroll down, upvote the situations that made you laugh, and share your own retail nightmare scenarios in the comments.

Bored Panda reached out to Save the Student, a British project that advises students on how to make their money go further, about how the pandemic affected the job market and what to do if you feel like you're stuck at a job where you feel demeaned. Jake Butler from Save the Student said: "It does depend on location and other factors, but finding a job during the pandemic, specifically lockdown, has been extremely difficult for students. It's true that some businesses, such as supermarkets and delivery companies, have increased recruitment, but large student employing sectors such as retail and hospitality have really stuttered due to being closed for many months."

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TmKhr
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I too want to lemonade some important papers while I drink some laminate soda

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Jake from Save the Student added that while some retail and hospitality jobs are returning, many students are "shunning them as there are worries about job security and also working conditions." According to Jake, one of the main worries that many have is that the market is weighted towards the employers and not the employees.

"For those that feel demeaned in their current job, I would suggest it's worth studying the rights you have as an employee," Jake told Bored Panda what we can all do if we find ourselves being treated less than humanely at our workplace. "Even during the pandemic, there is no excuse for an employer to break the law at your expense. And if you feel you're being treated especially poorly I would suggest looking to switch jobs, but doing so wisely."

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TmKhr
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A woman in a Finnish Facebook sales group didn't want to tell her clothes' size because she didn't want anyone to know how big she was.

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Otter
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is "BLT with cheese" going to be the new "See you next Teusday"?

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It’s easy to stay professional when the customers who you deal with are nice, pleasant, and see you as a human being. But the challenges start when you come face to face with someone who demeans you, acts overly entitled, or simply asks incredibly dumb questions. All of which makes you question why the nation’s education system has set the bar so low.

Earlier, I’d spoken about how to deal with difficult customers with Alexander Kjerulf. He’s the founder and Chief Happiness Officer at ‘Woohoo inc.’ and knows a lot about helping keep employees motivated, happy, and using their skills at their best.

Alex put it very simply that if you feel like you’re forgetting that you’re a human being worthy of humane treatment at your job, then you should seriously consider moving on. “Quit, and find a better place to work, where they actually care about their staff. And quit sooner rather than later. The longer you stay, the more they will grind you down until you lose all the energy and optimism you need to move on and find a better job,” he told Bored Panda.

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sarge-m , twitter.com Report

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TmKhr
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You're right, there's no one here, it means you've broken in and police are on their way to arrest you

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He said that it’s common in restaurants to treat their customers like kings. And some places complement this by treating their employees badly. However, this is far from all right! It shouldn’t be the norm.

“99% of people are nice, but the occasional rude client is unavoidable," Alex noted that you will have to deal with difficult customers sooner or later. It’s not something that you can avoid forever and ever, no matter how good (or lucky) of an employee you are. "You can learn tricks to deal with them, and that's great, but no one should have to put up with mistreatment."

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Mihai Mara
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The rule "an eye for an eye" should have been applied: "here's your HOT latte!" *splash*

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Ancsuri
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do you have to give a tip in the US? How does it work? Cause by us, you can give a tip if you want to, but you can choose to pay just the price of the food.

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Working in the service industry doesn’t mean that you have to be a doormat, however. If you find yourself constantly being walked over, belittled, and demeaned, you have to reach out to your manager for help. They should be willing to step in and help you deal with anyone who isn’t acting like a human being should.

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Catlady6000
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember replying something about how if nobody came in to shop, they wouldn't open, and the customer continued to sympathize and wonder why they opened on a holiday

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Ross Warren
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No single snowflake ever feels responsible for the blizzard.

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Stephanie Keith
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually it's the employer that is the reason you're working not the customers. Just throwing that out there.

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Jerry Mathers
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely true. I remember growing up where the only places open on holidays we 7-11s. If the stores are t open, people don't go.

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Danikah
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work in hospitals. Every year patients ask me why I'm working on a holiday. ... like, am I supposed to shut the hospitals down and kick everyone out and tell them to come back the next day?

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Kim Bush
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah I worked in hospitals and nursing homes, rarely ever getting a Christmas holiday off. Two or three times as many people relied on my department during those jovial hours. Being a dietitian, our workers busted our butts to serve hundreds of people an hour. The only ones who never had time to sit down and enjoy the food we worked so hard on was....Us.

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Joe Alcocer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always thank employees for being open on holidays. Probably doesn't mean anything to them since it's not their choice, but it really helps when I don't have food at home.

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Anonymous
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to make an emergency trip to the drug store on Thanksgiving once and told the cashier that I was sorry they had to work but thanked them for being open. I was truly grateful and I think it was appreciated

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Nevits Yibble
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've read this (alleged) story before, posted by a totally different person. It's such a chronic thing on social media for people to steal someone else's personal experience and re-post it as their own

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egracec
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't necessarily someone stealing another's story. After 18 years in grocery retail I can guarantee that I got through similar conversations every major holiday.

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Eslamala
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can always close. Well, not you, the owners. Again, it's not the customer's fault you're being exploited.

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Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes it is! If nobody shops on these days they wouldn't open! Personally i never shop on holidays or Sundays! In my country they are trying to keep the markets every Sunday open! If we start shopping it will become a rule! So better to support the workers cause next time it might be your turn to need support!

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Barbara Vandewalle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the store would close then they would plan better. Keep the store open and they will still do last minute shopping because IT's OPEN

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Flavia Slag
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always say "thank you for working" if I have to go to the store during a holiday bc I forgot something.

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Amanda Hunter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never shop on Holidays, I've worked a few and it's bloody awful.

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Damon Hill
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked for 2 of Americas larger auto parts companies, they both open on Sunday (there's an unenforced Blue Law in Virginia). I pointed out we make no money on Sunday and should be closed. They said all stores were open except those in Blue Law areas. I pointed out other exceptions and they said "we have to be open for our customers". What customers? (We had done a total of $200 on the previous Sunday. The reality of it is, the 3 big box auto stores in town (totaling 7 stores in all) each one is open because the other is open. Neither will grow a pair and close. I even tried pointing out just open 1, no need to open every location.

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Kris “ADHD_Carrier” Dudoich
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep, I remember working at K-Mart many years ago and having to work on Thanksgiving. It was amazing how many people were in the store.

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Mrs. Jan Glass
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every. Christmas. Eve. 4:00pm. "-and I need you to hurry! I have to get home to my family!" Really, Linda? Gosh, Bob! SO DO I.

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Calypso poet
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me at the grocery store the day before any holiday with random items telling the cashier I promise I am not the reason you will be open tomorrow! I will improvise.

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Luuta
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually get this one. You CAN sympathise with staff for working during holidays etc, whilst still being grateful that they do because you really did need that missing item you just purchased.

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Jane Petersen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have always thanked the people working and tell them I am grateful they are working. I know what it is like, I did it all through my 20s and part of my 30s. I tip REALLY well.

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Xanthin Cyan Alizarin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had that! Someone asked why the store was open on Thanksgiving, and I said "You're here."

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Lena Flising
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've worked New Year at McDonald's a couple of years, a couple of decades ago. Usually people wanted to be outside at midnight, watching the fireworks, so it was pretty quiet at that time and we could have a celebration of our own in the back of the restaurant. One year, though, a group of teenage girls had decided that what they wanted to do at midnight was to buy hamburgers. So instead of celebrating in the back, the staff had to join in their stupid new-year special. (It wasn't just "Oops, we're hungry at the stroke of midnight"; they sat and waited a while, in order to order precisely at midnight.)

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DT Oltman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

working at walgreens for a couple of years, I would work for someone so they could be home for the holidays...had the same thing said to me many time, and I always said if you didn't come in to shop, store would stay closed...DUH!

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Anna roberts
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to love working holidays, I would tell the customers that it meant, I didn't have to go see relatives I really didn't like and I get paid for it. Some of them left depressed LOL

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Joanne Rust
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2 years ago

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Dori Huszar
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2 years ago

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i thought the 'fckn' reason was your salary....

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Vermillion Ace #443
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2 years ago

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🙄 Holidays at home can be a bit dull anyway, so doing something away from the drudgery is preferable to whatever family nonsense could be going on. ...That, or just holiday pay!

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“You have to remember that in many cases a customer who behaves badly is not necessarily a bad person—it can be a good person having a bad day and that’s why they’re acting out. But the sad truth is that some customers act this way because they’ve learned that it works and will get them discounts or preferential treatment,” Alex said that some customers might be nightmare material by accident while others are very Slytherinish and sneaky.

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Michele Ferretto
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not the first time I hear a pregnant lady be called fat by other woman. For the love of God, what's in their mind!?!?

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Eslamala
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Real actual cheddar or that laminated orange plastic you get in the U.S??

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Pamela H.
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes there is no "grass fed" chicken meat at the store, but Chickens do eat grass. Obviously you don't own a chicken.

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Michele Ferretto
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Since you were there you could make him notice the size of the chip, so it could very hardly be injected with any vaccine (I bet he believes that too).

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Mihai Mara
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Make sure you never run out of blinker fluid. It's very important in traffic!!

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KatHat
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The full original phrase is: "The customer is always right in matters of taste". ie, if they want to paint their house screaming purple or buy a gold sequin pantsuit, you say YES that's wonderful. It was never supposed to mean what it's come to mean.

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Mihai Mara
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now I am curious how you explained it and what the customer finally understood.

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WilvanderHeijden
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's the entitlement of "I orderded a cheeseburger without cheese and that's what I'm getting and paying for. You do not chance my order without my divine consent, you underpaid wage slave."

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RaroaRaroa
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The guy's an idiot, of course, but who ever cuts anything in quarters at Subway? Sure, if someone asked, but they don't normally do that do they?

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