(I work in a college residence hall. In addition to visitor information, we also provide services to residents, such as equipment rental and cash exchanges. Two customers approach the desk at the same time, both with $10 bills.)

Customer #1: “Hi. Can we get change here?”

Me: “Yes, you can, provided you don’t need ones. We only have two at the moment.”

Customer #1: “Can I get ten ones?”

(I figure she just misunderstood what I said.)

Me: “I’m sorry, but we only have two ones. I can really only give you two fives for a ten. Will that work?”

Customer #1: “Yes, that will be fine.”

(She steps aside, and [Customer #2], who has heard the whole exchange, steps up and puts her $10 on the counter.)

Customer #2: “Hi. Can you exchange this for a five and five ones?”

(I work night audit at a long-term stay hotel in an upper-class area of town. We are booked solid for the next several weeks, as it is the week before Memorial Day and graduation kicks off the start of our busy season. I am also the only one on duty. A gentleman storms in at about 12:15 am and gives his name. I have already checked in my last reservations for the night and we are full up, so I am wincing as I am looking up his name.)

Me: “Sorry, sir, we don’t have a reservation for you tonight… It’s tomorrow night, the 22nd.”

Guest: “Well, do you have anything tonight?”

Me: “I’m sorry, sir, we’re sold out and everyone’s already arrived.”

Guest: “You don’t have anything?”

Me: “No, sir, there is a person currently in every single room on our property.”

(I begin the calls to the nearest hotel, fanning out in a spiral. By the third hotel that’s booked solid, he’s pissed and calling his travel agent — who made the original reservation, incorrectly — and stands there telling his travel agent how incompetent I am. In front of me.)

Guest: “She says she has no rooms; I don’t believe her…”

(He finally gives up and waves at me in disgust, storming out. At the door, he pauses and pulls the phone away from his ear.)

Guest: “I just think this is bulls***. By the way, I was a Platinum member for ten years…”

(I check his account; he may HAVE BEEN, but he isn’t now. Ten minutes later, his travel agent calls me all upset because I won’t book him for a room.)

Travel Agent: “It says you have rooms available starting today, the 22nd.”

Me: “Yes, sir, but check-in isn’t until three, because all my rooms are occupied and I have to have guests check out and get the rooms cleaned before I can resell them.”

Travel Agent: “Don’t you have anything? Your website says you have availability!”

Me: “Yes, sir, but he cannot check in until 3:00 pm. I simply have no room.”

Travel Agent: “Not even for Platinum guests?”

Me: “Sir, I have 117 rooms. I have 117 rooms occupied. Even if your client was [Hotel CEO] himself, I couldn’t and wouldn’t turn a guest out of their bed.”

Travel Agent: “Ooookaaaay…”

(I work at an office supply store in our tech center. I am the only girl in that entire department and I pick things up from our computer techs. Other than the boys behind the counter, everyone else is fairly new to the department. A customer walks into the store and heads directly to our computer section; I walk over to ask if he needs assistance.)

Me: “Hello, sir. May I answer any questions for you today?”

Customer: *gruff* “No, I’ve got it.”

Me: “All right, well, if you have any questions for me, my name is [My Name]; feel free to let me know.”

(About thirty seconds later, my male coworker walks over to ask the same question.)

Customer: *lit up at the sight of a man* “Yes! I have a ton of questions. I have no idea what I need. I want to know [technical questions], about battery life, and about what would be right for me to run my business with.”

Male Coworker: “Um… You know, I’m still fairly new here. Let me grab our computer expert.”

(He then runs to grab me to assist.)

Me: “Hello again, sir. I heard you may have some questions for me. [Coworker] is still fairly new so he’ll probably stick around to learn some things, just like you.”

Customer: “Oh, I, uh… Okay. Well. I guess. So, you’re the best with all this.”

Me: “Yes, sir, I’ve picked up quite a lot working here. I’m sure I can send you home with a lot more knowledge, too.”

(I then spend a couple of minutes explaining a few details about our computers.)

Customer: “Well, I have to go to a meeting.”

Me: “All right, I hope this helped. I hope to see you in the future.”

(The customer then leaves.)

Male Coworker: “So… he didn’t want your help because you’re a girl. Does that happen a lot?”

Me: “Unfortunately, yes.”

(The customer came back about an hour later and I helped him get everything he needed. I wish I could say that this was rare, but it happens often, even with female customers.)

(I have just finished taking a woman’s order, and she drives up to the window to pay.)

Me: “Hello! Your total is [total].”

Customer: *angrily* “What’s with the happy voice all the time?!”

(I have an annoyed customer come up to me at the ticket check podium.)

Customer: “WHY is The Great Gatsby in 3D?”

(I don’t know what to say, apart from the obvious.)

Me: “Because it’s a 3D film.”

Customer: “That’s not a very good answer.”

(Then, his friend pipes up.)

Customer’s Friend: “What the h*** did you want her to say? Just because you’re angry, don’t take it out on her.”

(That guy’s friend totally made my night.)