I’m queueing to get into a popular discount store. I’m picking up cleaning supplies and canned goods for my in-laws, who, unfortunately, are suffering from that worldwide bug that’s been doing the rounds.

The wait is ridiculous, and the queue is halfway around the carpark, but they are doing the right thing by restricting the amount of people going in at one time.

After a long, long wait, I am about five people from the entrance. A couple exit the shop, but they are not allowing any more people in. I can overhear the conversation.

Security Guard: “Just need to wait a little longer, folks.”

Customer: “But they just came out.”

Security Guard: “Yes, but the first aisle is busy. We need to allow it to clear first.”

Customer: “I’m not buying anything from that aisle; just let me through.”

Security Guard: “I’m afraid you will have to wait a little longer.”

A few more minutes pass, and still, the queue doesn’t move.

Customer: “This is f****** ridiculous! Why can’t you let us in?!”

Security Guard: “It won’t be much longer now.”

Customer: “I’ve had enough of this!”

He pushed past the security guard and went into the shop. The security guard looked about retirement age, so he didn’t try to stop him. He said something on his radio and then asked everyone to wait. He seemed very flustered.

Before too long, some other security guards turned up, but they didn’t look like they could do much, until the last one arrived; he must have been nearly seven-feet tall and had a scowl. He went into the shop and returned with the man from earlier who was suddenly a lot less mouthy.

It’s time for the February roundup! Our editors have decided among themselves which stories in February deserve the extra attention, regardless of the number of thumbs-ups they received. Out of all the stories we posted in the month, we’ve singled out twenty-six!

If there are any stories from the last month you feel we should have included, please let us know in the comments!

Take Care Of Your Partner. Period. – We’d tell you to marry him, but…

This Customer Has A Screeching Ignition – Hits from the comments: “…I’m not sure if this is ‘chaotic good’ or ‘neutral evil.'”

And That’s The Historical Tea – Wait until she hears that they don’t celebrate on July 4, either.

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I am a manager at a fast food restaurant and have a very packed lobby and drive-thru. We have two windows: one to pay and one to get your food. At the moment, I am the only person in the front. This leaves me to take orders on both the drive-thru and in the lobby. NOBODY IS USING THE KIOSKS.

I take an order on the headset, everything goes smoothly, and the lady is satisfied. I tell her to pull up, and I continue bagging food, making fries and drinks, and taking orders from walk-ins as well as more in the drive-thru. The lady gets to my window after paying.

Me: “Hello!”

I repeat the full, massive order, worth about $40.

Me: “Is that correct?”

Customer: “Yes. Can I get ketchup?”

Me: “Absolutely. Anything else?”

Customer: “No, thank you.”

Me: “Have a nice day!”

I move on to helping more customers in the lobby. I go back to the window with the next two orders after handing out orders in the lobby, but the lady is still there!

Me: “Can I help you? Was I missing something from your order?”

Customer: “No. I would like to place another order for three combo #2s and two #1s.”

Me: “I’m sorry, but I cannot take your order at this window as I have several other orders behind you and their food is ready. You can pull back around or come inside and we can help you then.”

Customer: “I’M CALLING THE POLICE!”

Me: “I don’t understand.”

Customer: “I’LL HAVE YOU ARRESTED!”

Me: “…”

She starts dialing the phone and I can see that she is, indeed, dialing 911! I apologize to the lobby customers for their wait and inform them that I will be just a moment. I return to the window.

Me: “Ma’am, I need you to leave the drive-thru.”

Customer: “I’m on the phone with the police.”

Me: “This is not a police matter and you can be charged for calling with a non-emergency. My customers are suffering because of you. Please leave.”

Customer: “THEY JUST HUNG UP ON ME!”

She zooms out of the drive-thru. The next lady has heard the whole thing.

Next Customer: “Did she just call the police?”

Everyone else was very understanding, and the lady came inside to order the rest of her food.

It’s my first time selling furniture online. I’m offering it for free as long as you pick it up, as there isn’t furniture donation pickup in my area. I post pictures of the bed and shelves and give the address to the closest store near me so people can gauge the distance.

Email: “I’d love to look at your bed! Where are you?”

Me: “We’re near [Store Address]. If you decide to take it home, I’ll send you my home address. When can you pick it up?”

Email: “I want to pick it up today! Send me the real address.”

Me: “Great! Here’s my actual address. You can pick it up now or anytime until nine.”

Email: “I’ll be there at four.”

Later, at 5:00 pm:

Me: “Hey! You didn’t show. Did something happen?”

Email: “I decided it was too far.”

This happened several more times, with slight variations, until I gave up and just trashed it. For the record, I stopped giving out my address and told them I’d meet them at that store. I didn’t want a million flaky strangers to have my address, after all.

I’m working at a big box store during the global health crisis. We are not allowed to say anything to customers that are not wearing masks, but even if we were, I don’t like confrontation. I had been trying to be careful before, but now I have a family member who has a weakened immune system, so I try to be extra careful.

When customers aren’t wearing masks, I just try to stay at least six feet away from them. If they start to come closer to me, I position my cart between them and me. This usually works. One day, I am at the fitting room when a maskless customer comes to try on some items. I move to get behind my cart, but he starts to follow me. I move the cart trying to position it between him and myself. As I move it, he maneuvers himself around it. He keeps doing this.

Me: “I’m trying to social distance!”

Customer: *Mumbles* “Sorry.”

He backed up begrudgingly.