On A Holy Gum Crusade
(I am purchasing some things from my local petrol station. I know the total comes to under £10, but I need change and decide to give a £20 note instead.)
Cashier: *leaning away from my money* “Umm, do you have anything smaller?”
(I fish around in my wallet and hand over £10. I then notice a pack of gum has appeared alongside my other items.)
Me: “Oh, was this scanned, as well? I don’t want it. Can it be taken off, please?”
Cashier: “No.”
Me: “No? Why not?”
Cashier: *visibly sweating* “You aren’t allowed.”
Me: “But I don’t want it.”
Cashier: “But you must!”
Me: “Well, I don’t. Take it off.”
Cashier: “NO!”
(Our argument alerts the station owner who comes forward and I explain the situation.)
Owner: *to the cashier* “Take it off.”
(She gives him an imploring stare but his face is set in stone. She’s actually shaking as she moves her hand to the register with her eyes shut tight, as if it were about to explode. The second the gum is taken off, she runs away, screaming that she “can’t go on.” The owner sighs and takes my £20.)
Me: “Thanks, but what was all that about?”
Owner: *shrugs* “Sometimes the ultra-religious around here make it hard to shop.”
Me: “Huh?”
(He taps the display saying the total: £6.66.)
Me: “Oh.” *takes my change and leaves*
(Usually the ultra-religious in my area are over sixty, so it was an odd sight to see a young adult with the same attitude. Whenever I go in there now and she’s in, she glares at me the entire time and runs into the back when I get near the register. Thankfully, I don’t go in there often.)
This story is featured in our Religious Customers roundup!
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What is the most stupid reason a customer has asked to see your manager?
