I work in a small shop and I’m the only one working since my coworker has gone to lunch. I’m checking out a nice, older couple when I see one of our frustrating older regulars come in the door sans-mask. Masks have been mandated in my state for many months now and he’s been in before while the order has been in effect.

Me: “Hi, sir! I just ask that if you’re going to shop with us today, you put on a mask. Thanks!”

He grumbles a little but turns around to go back out to his car to get a mask. While he’s looking for his mask, I continue checking out the couple and continue to talk with them.

Older Lady: “He’s in an at-risk group, so he should be better about wearing a mask, shouldn’t he?”

Me: “Yeah, he’s a regular and gives me problems about masks every time he comes in.”

Older Lady: “It’s so frustrating when people don’t follow the science.”

Me: “I know. I mean, just look at the numbers here versus Georgia; we’re both mostly open, but there, the governor is refusing to let anyone make mask mandates and their numbers are much higher.”

Older Lady: “Exactly!”

I thank them for coming in and they leave as the other problem customer walks back in. He’s got a mask on but his nose is out. Deciding that I don’t really want to fight him on that until he’s actually within six feet of me, I don’t say anything. While he’s shopping, I check out a few other customers. My coworker comes back from lunch just as the regular comes up to the registers to check out. He says something to her, but she doesn’t quite catch it.

Coworker: “I’m sorry, what?”

Problem Customer: “I said all women look like Muslims with their masks on!”

With that, he comes up to my register and places his items on the counter.

Me: “Do you mind just pulling your mask up over your nose while I check you out, please? Thanks.”

Problem Customer: “I do mind! Last time I did that, I fell down two stairs because it fogged up my glasses!”

Both my coworker for the day and I wear glasses but I doubt he’s noticed. Just wanting to get him out of here, I start ringing up his items.

Problem Customer: “You know, the death rate is…”

Blah, blah, blah… I’m sure no one on the Internet needs reminding of the nonsense that people like this come up with, though it is shocking to hear it in real life. I keep trying to get a word in, but he keeps talking over me.

Me: “Well, no one knows what the long-term effects of this are going to be. There are some who’ve had symptoms for weeks.”

He keeps on going about all the usual nonsense about this particular illness versus the flu and so on. But he adds one last gem in there as I’m putting his purchase, change, and receipt on the counter where he can reach them.

Problem Customer: “You know, the masks are just the government controlling you!”

Me: *Pauses* “You’re all set.”

My responsibilities in cashing him out done, I walked quickly to the store’s back room so I didn’t say something that may get me fired.

A lady comes in to collect a lost credit card.

Me: “May I see some ID please, ma’am?”

Customer: *Furious.* “But I’m a regular!”

Me: “I can’t turn over the card without checking your ID, it’s store policy.

Customer: “I’m a regular and that’s all the ID I need.”

I refused to hand over the card until I saw some ID, she swung her purse at me as she was grabbing her wallet, opened it, and threw it at me. It actually was her card, but she was angry because she didn’t see the point in presenting an ID in-store where everyone was supposed to know her.

I am working at a big box store in the shoe department. Except for the work boots, our most expensive shoes are about $25. A customer approaches me.

Customer: “I need [Brand] non-slip shoes. I need to have that brand because I have back problems.”

Me: “I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t carry that brand anymore. We do have some other non-slip shoes. We can see if any of them work for you.”

I take the customer in that direction and see a pair of the brand he is looking for on clearance.

Me: “It looks like you’re in luck. We have one pair left.”

Customer: “$19?! That’s way too expensive!”

Seriously? That’s a pretty good price for those. The customer sees a pair of $10 shoes. They are not on clearance. That is the regular price.

Customer: “What about these?”

Me: “Those are going to make your feet and back hurt.”

Customer: “But I don’t want to pay more than that.”

Me: “Maybe you could buy a pair of [Brand] insoles and put them in the shoes?”

Customer: “How much are those?”

Me: “Depending on what type you get, $5 to $10.”

Customer: “That’s still too much!”

The customer ended up buying the $10 shoes. I can understand not having a lot of money, but don’t expect good quality shoes for $10.

I often go to a specific store to buy something. Let’s just say it’s bubblegum. They have a display with the different flavors behind the counter. The employee usually hands me the container so I can pick out what I want since it is different each time.

One day, I go to the store and ask the employee to see the display.

Employee: “No.”

I am startled and it takes me a second to realize what she said.

Me: “Oh, I’m sorry. Did the policy change?”

Employee: “No. Last time you were in here, you stole some of the products.”

Now I am really confused and I start getting angry because I have never stolen anything in my life.

Me: “That’s not true. How could I have stolen anything?”

Employee: “I watched you on video. You grabbed them then slipped them into the sleeve of your hoodie. I even showed it to my friends and they agreed with me.”

Me: “I absolutely did not. I demand to see your security tapes so I can prove it to you.”

Employee: “What date did you last come in?”

Me: “I don’t remember. Maybe a week and a half ago.”

Employee: “Well, if you don’t tell me the date, I can’t find the footage.”

Me: “So, let me get this straight. You were able to show it to all of your friends, but when I ask to see it, you don’t have it available?”

Employee: “Tell me the date and I can pull it.”

Me: “I don’t remember! We’re done here.”

I walked out of the store and never went back. How can you accuse a frequent customer of stealing but not have the proof for when they return?

A mother with a toddler in a buggy gives the child a china animal from our display to play with He starts banging it on the front of the buggy.

Me: “Excuse me, ma’am, but that’s dangerous and he could cut himself badly if he breaks it.”

Customer: “Well, you shouldn’t put them where kids can see them.”

Me: “No, you shouldn’t give it to your kid to play with…”