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If you want to know your limit to the amount of nonsense you can tolerate, just get a job in retail. From intense and long shifts to poor management, it gives you plenty of reasons to sigh and roll your eyes. But it's probably the customers that generate the most fury.

The subreddits 'Target' and 'Trader Joe's' unite many of the chains' employees, providing a well-needed space for venting. But scroll through their content and you'll see that these people would be a lot happier if it weren't for us barbarians burdening them with our ignorance, pettiness, and nastiness.

#1

No Excuses

No Excuses

TraderJoesUnion Report

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Chich
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, "Freedom" - You keep using that word, I do not think It means what you think It means

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#2

Old But Gold

Old But Gold

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Headless Roach
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*while the kids play the game of how high they can reach to pull everything off the shelves*

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We reached out to both subreddits' mods and the folks behind 'Target' were kind enough to reply. "[Our] community is great," they told Bored Panda. "It's like one big, giant, friendly breakroom where Team Members can feel the same relief they do when they enter the physical break room. The community is almost exclusively Target Team Members."

Because everyone is so tight-knit, they don't have to do much "policing" too. "All the mods on the team are volunteers and have lives, jobs, families, and other responsibilities. The automod BullseyeBot is helpful to keep some simple tasks complete," they explained. "The most common problem is spam or other trolling comments. We try to be pretty hands off but when comments are threatening, harassing, etc. we step in and remove them and potentially ban the user."

#3

Every Single Sign In The Store

Every Single Sign In The Store

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Lace Neil
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could make the sign six foot tall, in neon pink, with glowsticks and dancing bears surrounding it and they still won't see it.

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#4

Facts!

Facts!

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Bernd Herbert
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When the store would have been closed, the same person would ask: "Why don't y'all work on Holidays???"

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The mods of 'Target' think the biggest complaints the Team Members have about their job is low pay coupled with the high expectations of their work but there are other cyclical problems too.

"This time of year, you'll find complaints about not being given a day off or being scheduled too much, and then early in the calendar year, you'll see complaints about low hours," they said.

When asked about customers, the mods said that what really grinds employees' gears is when they put unwanted items back in random spots in the store and also when they leave trash in random places like on shelves or in carts.

#6

Gotta Love It

Gotta Love It

Target_tech_consult Report

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Hotdogking
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Got their free ticket to heaven, time to go make someone else’s life hell

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#8

Me Staring At The Customer Who Just Came Within 12 Inches Of Me With No Mask On To Ask If We Sell Covid Tests

Me Staring At The Customer Who Just Came Within 12 Inches Of Me With No Mask On To Ask If We Sell Covid Tests

El_Floyd Report

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According to its new survey, Mercer said 48 percent of retail and hospitality workers are looking to leave their jobs. And of those polled making less than $30,000 a year, 58 percent said they have their eyes on the door.

While some are considering career changes, many are stuck in low-paying jobs with few benefits or avenues to advance.

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And while retail workers say their jobs keep them socially connected and mentally stimulated, researchers at Mercer noted that “the drawbacks outweigh the benefits for them right now. They find the work chaotic, overwhelming, and unfulfilling on a daily basis."

#10

Happens Almost Every Shift

Happens Almost Every Shift

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Queen Julius Her Majesty the 3rd
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The mask is a BLESSING! Now a days i feel insecure and paranoid and anxious without it. Imm keeping the mask on forever. Introvert paradise

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#11

An 8 Year Old Kid Can Destroy An Aisle With More Speed And Efficiency Than A Category 5 Hurricane

An 8 Year Old Kid Can Destroy An Aisle With More Speed And Efficiency Than A Category 5 Hurricane

HectorZeroniGaming Report

#12

Every Time

Every Time

Two_Faced_Harvey Report

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Joroches
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand how annoying most of the things on this list must be but this one just seems a bit petty. People feel awkward and talk sh*t in these situations, it's human nature.

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#13

Raise Your Hand If You “Ruined A Christmas” Because You Didn’t Have Some Popular Item In Stock The Day Before Christmas

Raise Your Hand If You “Ruined A Christmas” Because You Didn’t Have Some Popular Item In Stock The Day Before Christmas

JEBERNARD Report

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keighterz
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Day before Thanksgiving is a riot as well. Like yeah, good luck thawing you giant frozen solid turkey by tomorrow. Sorry we have nothing you need because everyone is cooking the same exact thing and you waited til the last possible minute to shop.

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Aside from not feeling supported, valued, or heard, respondents said that "they are exhausted by repetitive and physically demanding jobs."

The researchers also highlighted that many retail and hospitality jobs "are customer-facing, and employees have to be always 'on' and cheerful, even while customers are increasingly negative and demanding, taking out their frustration over supply shortages, price increases, under-resourcing and/or dissatisfaction with health and safety policies."

Which we can clearly see in the subreddits' posts.

#14

Absolutely Hate People That Abandon Carts With Food

Absolutely Hate People That Abandon Carts With Food

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Fembot
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this should be treated the same as actual stealing, especially with items that are fresh or chilled/frozen. Bottom line: You took something without paying and it can’t be sold to anyone else. It’s just ffing wasteful.

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#15

It’s Called Etiquette

It’s Called Etiquette

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Noltha
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depends on the country. In Japan you are supposed to put money in a special tray.

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#16

Target Employees Hate When You Think Your Tiny Car Can Fit The Biggest TV On Planet Earth

Target Employees Hate When You Think Your Tiny Car Can Fit The Biggest TV On Planet Earth

naaeee__x Report

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Will Cable
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ikea is a great place for watching this, when they buy a wardrobe, drawers, coffee table, bookcase and a TV stand and try to fit them in the back of a VW Golf/Rabbit while having brought their 3 children, usually Tarquin, Placenta and Quinoa

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#17

Ah Yes, Those Guests That Tell You Their Whole Life Story After You Told Them In What Aisle The Item They're Looking For Is At

Ah Yes, Those Guests That Tell You Their Whole Life Story After You Told Them In What Aisle The Item They're Looking For Is At

ramos-squared Report

When those polled were asked what would best support their mental health and ease burnout, retail and hospitality employees prioritized a reduced workload and flexible work schedule.

According to the researchers, this “is a key area employers need to act on to improve retention — especially because they cannot financially afford a further change in pay."

To give the data more context, Mercer added that hospitality and retail workers "didn't get to stay home during the pandemic — some were laid off, and the rest went to work, wore masks, installed glass barriers, and kept the consumer economy afloat.”

Then, at the end of 2021, the industry was hit with supply chain issues and labor shortages, followed by the war in Ukraine and now, inflation.

And it's inflation that continues to take its huge toll. Mercer discovered that any money the workers had stashed away is now being used for food and rent as well as unplanned expenses. When asked about their top concerns, financial security was a prominent theme of those polled.

#18

Coworker Found This Hidden In The Wine Section…. Yes Those Are Bite Marks

Coworker Found This Hidden In The Wine Section…. Yes Those Are Bite Marks

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#19

Actual Guest Interaction Today

Actual Guest Interaction Today

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Chich
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On the other side, i once knew a shop that stopped carrying a very popular product. When I asked them they said it kept selling out and they were always restocking the shelf and didn't want to anymore ?!???

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#20

Same Feeling When My Weekday Closing Lead Says “Have A Good Weekend Team” Over The Walkie On Friday Night

Same Feeling When My Weekday Closing Lead Says “Have A Good Weekend Team” Over The Walkie On Friday Night

_Not_A_Fed_ Report

#21

I'm Dead

I'm Dead

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The report also stressed other concerns, which included better balancing of work and life; being able to retire, and maintaining emotional and mental health. Personal fulfillment, debt, and personal safety were other factors that made the list.

Action items that companies can do to mitigate some of these issues and maintain employee retention include offering competitive pay rates, offering wellness resources and working with employees on “designing a career” and other career development efforts.

Additionally, we, the customers, can do a lot better, too.

#22

A Guest Decided To Have Breakfast In Our Paper Aisle. Worst Part Is They Used Chocolate Milk

A Guest Decided To Have Breakfast In Our Paper Aisle. Worst Part Is They Used Chocolate Milk

ihatedanielpelletier Report

#23

Is It Me Or Are Guests, Target (Things In General), Getting Worse

Is It Me Or Are Guests, Target (Things In General), Getting Worse

oxrox88 Report

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Bernd Herbert
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How dare you close the store at closing time? Didn't you know I'll be arriving too late??

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#24

Yea Cus It’s Our Fault U Came In Less Than An Hour Before Closing

Yea Cus It’s Our Fault U Came In Less Than An Hour Before Closing

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Green Tree
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stores like this always give multiple countdown warnings on how many minutes till the store is going to close. So with 45 minutes to shop and then presumably closing warnings at 15 minutes etc this guy and his wife just ignore and keep shopping? Then have the audacity to complain? What is wrong with people?

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#25

Not A Target Worker But I Thought This Will Make You Relate

Not A Target Worker But I Thought This Will Make You Relate

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Snowhater
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This has an easy solution. Around here we have to put a coin in a lock to get a cart and then you return the cart you get your coin back.

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#26

There Should Be A Limit To How Many Items A Guest Can Order For Drive Up…

There Should Be A Limit To How Many Items A Guest Can Order For Drive Up…

luskiloo6 Report

#27

So, A Customer Tried Paying With This Today…

So, A Customer Tried Paying With This Today…

Burn1at420 Report

#28

Every Time!

Every Time!

No_Bus8767 Report

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Akshara Panduga
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the customer shd have like sorted out what they wanna buy first *rolls eyes*

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#29

Every. Damn. Day

Every. Damn. Day

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Jaya
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is really annoying though, if the information on the website is incorrect and you travelled all the way to a specific store for that item. And I don't mean the last few items getting sold in the meantime, but if the information is just wrong and doesn't get corrected (if it says we still have 20 and days later it still says that even though in reality they have zero).

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#30

Why… Just Why?

Why… Just Why?

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Will Cable
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Logan (if that is the drinkers name) should be hunted down and have that container inserted up his chuff without the aid of lubricant

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Note: this post originally had 71 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.