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You know how you enter the store to get some milk, only to see the shelf full of pinot grigio right in the way, staring at you with no place to hide? This moment of pure impromptu is basically the essence of the “decisions were made here” meme that shows the lonely product (one intended to buy) standing in the midst of the indulgence section, whether it’s beer or ice cream.

But no matter how funny it may be in the joke format, the reality is a tiny bit different. It turns out, it’s one of the most annoying things customers do while shopping, according to supermarket employees—not even mentioning taking a thing out of its package and leaving it lying out somewhere.

Below is the list of seriously annoying stuff we should all quit immediately if we ever want good shopping karma.

#2

When People Stop In The Middle Of An Aisle And Act Like They're The Only Ones In The Store

When People Stop In The Middle Of An Aisle And Act Like They're The Only Ones In The Store

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#3

"If You Let Your Kids Do This, [screw] You."

"If You Let Your Kids Do This, [screw] You."

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Bardhi's Dad
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is really annoying. What kind of parents are them? How do they educate those children?

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Back in the 1950s and '60s, the vibe at supermarkets was totally different. According to author Blake Morgan, “brands treated customers like they didn’t have brain cells and used loud and obnoxious voices and obviously exaggerated print.”

It all changed with Ogilvy, the father of advertising who said that you gotta treat customers like you treat your family members. Because, essentially, they’re potential clients.

Then, the now-famous phrase “the customer is always right” was pioneered by successful retailers named Harry Gordon Selfridge, John Wanamaker, and Marshall Field. This approach stuck with us for many years to come, and it’s still in use today. But critics claim it doesn’t work in the current times.

#4

If You Really Love Your Heros, Consider This

If You Really Love Your Heros, Consider This

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Laugh or not
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, calling people 'heroes' for doing their jobs is a good way to pat them on the back, congratulate them and avoid thinking about work conditions and salaries.

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#6

Getting Told The Same Joke

Getting Told The Same Joke

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In the times of consumerism, customers are no longer the perfect beings worthy of praise. According to the author Alexander Kjerulf, sticking to the “customer is always right” mantra has multiple adverse effects.

It makes employees unhappy, it gives abrasive customers an unfair advantage, it results in worse customer service, and it ignores the fact that some customers are just plain wrong.

Even if being customer-centric is part of the customer experience, that doesn’t mean brands and companies have to follow it blindly. They should rather seek a smart balance in making both customers and their workers equally happy.

#7

"Working In Retail Is A Special Type Of Hell"

"Working In Retail Is A Special Type Of Hell"

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Martha Meyer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid, customers had to pay for stuff they dropped and destoyed. Doesn't seem a thing anymore.

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#9

Customers Who Don't Say Hi

Customers Who Don't Say Hi

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cybermerlin2000
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always say Hi and I'm very cheerful about it because I feel like they have taken the time to be nice

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#10

When They Act Like Masks Don't Apply To Them

When They Act Like Masks Don't Apply To Them

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#12

All The Employees Have To Do Is Put Stuff Away...right?

All The Employees Have To Do Is Put Stuff Away...right?

"If you do this, f**k you."

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#13

When Customers Leave Stuff From Other Aisles In Places They Shouldn't Be

When Customers Leave Stuff From Other Aisles In Places They Shouldn't Be

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postboredom
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You don't have to work in a supermarket to hate this...I feel for you all.

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#14

"I Think We All Can Relate. Am I Right?"

"I Think We All Can Relate. Am I Right?"

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Tiari
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of the things I really like about Germany. A simple „NEXT“ is common and completely sufficient.

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#15

When They Tell Employees Their Whole Life Story

When They Tell Employees Their Whole Life Story

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup, I have heard about a women having a colonoscopy, a woman being a prostitute and that the fella with her was her pimp and bf, a guy with a big bandage telling me about his infection that was literally oozing pus etc. Some things we just don’t need or want to know.

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#17

When Guests Forget The Entire Reason Employees Are In The Store

When Guests Forget The Entire Reason Employees Are In The Store

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S.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But, the customers are only there because the store is open...? Then isn't it the fault of the management?

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#18

When They Walk In Just Before Closing

When They Walk In Just Before Closing

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just close the doors 5 to 10 minutes minutes before closing time and only let customers out. Common practice in the Netherlands.

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#19

When Customers Forget How A Store Works

When Customers Forget How A Store Works

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#20

When They Come .5 Seconds Before Closing Time

When They Come .5 Seconds Before Closing Time

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Csaba Hegedűs
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my country it is mandatory by law to have 'online cash registers' everywhere, that works like sending all data directly to some tax office or anything. It means if a shop is officially open from like 9 to 18, they can't sell you stuff AFTER 18, because register will note the tax office that out of business hours this shop was doing business. Therefore, shops can legally tell people who come this late that sorry, if you can't make your purchase in the next ten seconds, we can't legally serve you.

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#21

"Black Friday As A Wal-Mart Employee."

"Black Friday As A Wal-Mart Employee."

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#22

When Customers Leave Their Dirty Trash In The Carts

When Customers Leave Their Dirty Trash In The Carts

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Vorknkx
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When one fails to understand the simple fact that the supermarket employee is not their mom, and therefore not there to clean up after them.

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#24

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Bardhi's Dad
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Well, let me think a bit about this generous offer you made... NO!"

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#25

Even Though Zebra Says 1 But Not Binned In Anywhere

Even Though Zebra Says 1 But Not Binned In Anywhere

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Bardhi's Dad
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You just go in the back, rest for 5 minutes and come back to tell him "No. We don't have it. I checked everywhere"

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Katy McMouse
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha! I was just about to spill that dirty little retail secret to the world. You beat me to the punch, Mr. Bardhi's Dad.

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I disagree with this, there have been MANY times where items are out the back but not on the shelves. This is as a customer and a retail worker. The stock doesn’t just magically appear on the shelves once delivered. The shelf stackers may not have had a chance to put the new stock out yet.

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Daria B
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All true. However, usually it happens to me that the employee would offer to check in the back, so when they don't, I just assume it's out of stock and "oh, well, better luck next time". And maybe choose something else, if possible. So, I guess this one refers to customers who aren't really being kind, but too persistent instead.

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Ella Worley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad always asks people to check in the back and I always tell him not to because I know they are thinking this Lololololololol 😂

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Okay Dokey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well to be fair, there is one store where i always insist they check the back. And guess what? Miracle! It was in the back. Given i know that they are morons in that place, usually i trust employees when they say they are out of it.

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Tara B.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a perfectly acceptable question when it comes to shoes. Aside from that, amazon that ish.

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Billy the kid
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yes we do have it in the back but you cant have it as it is not on the shelf.

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Jaybird3939
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always ask that because occasionally, they actually do bring stuff out from the back!

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Kelly Hartle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, but I'll leave this long line of customers waiting to be checked out to cater to you.

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Clever Dog
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked in a large music store in the 90s the computer stock list updated at night it wasnt live, if it said we had 1 cd it could have sold that day but if it showed 1 customers would always say can you check the back, I would always think to myself "seriously dude have you seen it out there is massive we have thousands of cds out there that have not been booked into the system yet no I F**cking cant come back tomorrow" but I would say yeh sure (smile)

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Boopie Dew
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Say, someone else was just here so I just checked the back. Sorry.

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Hollie Newton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate playing this game cuz I always end up losing the customer and I'm just like well that was a waste of my time like I am doing you a favour at least stay put for five minutes

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Lauren Lee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Working at Costco this is a common question, seriously it’s a warehouse there is no “back” if we have any more pallets of an item they’re in the steel above your head and it takes a forklift and some patience on the members part to wait for it.

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Adrián Kovács
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh yes... Are you out of this certain flavored piece of sh!t? Yes. Could you check at the back? There aren't any at the back. Could you check anyway? Sure... *staring at the wall for 2 minutes at the back. Ma'am, I checked. There aren't any.

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.gas.
Community Member
3 years ago

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#26

Things-Supermarket-Employees-Hate

Things-Supermarket-Employees-Hate

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A.M. Pierre
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And yet I did get charged twice at a bookstore once when this happened. Took forever to get my money back. I realize that's an exception, not the rule, but I am wary now.

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#27

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Nemopoint
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually... my wardrobe looks like this. But i didn't shop any outfit since a year so, it'just my wardrobe.

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#28

"Why I Hate Working In Retail."

"Why I Hate Working In Retail."

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#29

When Customers Disappear After Employees Go Into The Back To Get Something For Them

When Customers Disappear After Employees Go Into The Back To Get Something For Them

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Bardhi's Dad
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me the scene with Rowan Atkinson and Alan Rickman in the movie "Love Actually"

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#30

Cough Cough

Cough Cough

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel awful for my son. He spits when he talks because of a few reasons. He has a lateral lisp which causes excess saliva and he has low muscle tone in his mouth which causes him to still dribble and not have as much control as most people do. I worry how that will impact him as he gets older.

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#32

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Something
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But sometimes people who don't work at a store can be found folding things because they unfolded them.

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#33

When People Leave Food In A Cart

When People Leave Food In A Cart

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Shelli Aderman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Carts need a sign, like, “Don’t complain about rising prices of food when you do this s**t!”

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#34

When People Take Something Out Of Its Package And Just Leave It There

When People Take Something Out Of Its Package And Just Leave It There

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Tiari
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I admit: I did that once or twice. The packaging had no information about the fabric on it, but I need that info for my decision. Afterwards I really really tried getting the stuff back in the packaging, but gave up after 5 to 10 minutes. If the damn manufacturer is not able to print the f*****g type of fabric on the packaging and I have no chance getting the stuff back in the packaging because it was packed under a vacuum... sorry. And yes. I asked staff about the type of fabric, and mostly the answer is a blank stare and an „I don’t know...“

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#35

When They Beckon An Employee Over Like They're A Trained Animal

When They Beckon An Employee Over Like They're A Trained Animal

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#36

Things Supermarket Employees Hate

Things Supermarket Employees Hate

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.gas.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Customers hate being asked this, too. Why does it matter? Is there a price differential?

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#37

Who Just Decided "No" On The TV?

Who Just Decided "No" On The TV?

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#38

When They Don't Recognize The Difference Between In-Store And Online

When They Don't Recognize The Difference Between In-Store And Online

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Tiari
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So the customer went the extra mile to check if the item he wants is still in stock before he makes the trip, with a service the store provides for exactly that purpose, and you hate him for it? Wow. That’s entitled.

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#39

"98% Of Customers Are Illiterate"

"98% Of Customers Are Illiterate"

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troufaki13
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes this discount applies only to certain items and it isn't always clear which one

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#40

People Who Shop At The Absolute Last Minute

People Who Shop At The Absolute Last Minute

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In a way I wish we had coupons like they do in the US but as a past checkout operator I am also glad we don’t. Takes up so much time.

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