(I work for a retail company that is mainly owned by one man but has minor partners. One of the partners is a very arrogant man who owns a company that supplies much of the stock we carry. We’ve noticed that the stock he supplies is often shoddy and falls apart even before we can sell it. This man gets upset with me one day when he finds me on my lunch break, because I am just sitting around in the staff room. I was eating lunch and sorting stock at the same time; I have stopped doing any work during my UNPAID lunch break since then. One of our managers makes a complaint about the faulty products; the partner does not care at all.)

Partner: “Just make the staff glue them together when they are lazing about the shop all day.”

(It’s my daughter’s birthday and we are having a small family party for her. My sister and her partner have come over. The partner is an overbearing, arrogant piece of s*** who expects everyone to work to his rules. After my daughter opens her gifts, he pulls me aside.)

Sister’s Partner: “We bought that–” *indicates toy* “–for [Daughter], with my money, so I don’t want [Daughter’s Best Friend] playing with it because I can’t stand that kid.”  

(If the toy had been of any interest to the kid I would have made sure she played with it. My daughter had no interest, either, and it soon went to charity.)

(I need one of my car headlights changed, so I pop into the nearest auto parts store to get them to do it for me. As I enter the shop, I take note of the many promo banners hanging from the ceiling, stating that if you sign up online using your email address for a store loyalty account you’ll get 10% off your next purchase. I quickly pull out my phone, sign up on their website, and then approach the counter. It should be noted that there are no codes or barcodes in the email I receive that would need to be surrendered; it’s just a generic “show this email in the store for 10% off” email.)

Me: *ready to pay, but before any services have been rendered* “I have this email here for 10% off, too, please!”

Worker: *looks at me like I’m stupid* “You can’t use that. You have to print it out and show it to us on paper.”

Me: “Oh, I’m sorry. I assumed because all these signs say to sign up online and on the spot, I could just show you the email? The email says to present it in the store; it doesn’t mention printing it.” 

Worker: “No, you have to print the email. You can’t just show the email.” *calls a manager over* “She wants to get the discount without printing the email.”

Manager: *also looking at me like I’m daft* “Okay… How about you forward us that email, and we’ll print it out ourselves?”

(I understood that perhaps they just wanted some physical evidence to balance their register, so I forwarded the email while the manager went out the back to retrieve it. And then, I waited. And waited. I waited for ten minutes while nothing happened and no one acknowledged me further, even though I was still standing at the register. Eventually, I walked out of the store and headed to the next nearest shop, whose staff were a breath of fresh air and went above and beyond to help me. They have earned my loyalty for good even without any discount offers!)

Related:
Email Fail, Part 23
Email Fail, Part 22
Email Fail, Part 21

(I work part-time as a cashier at a major grocery store. I am also completing my second university degree. A rather posh-looking, middle-aged woman approaches my register and unloads her basket.)

Customer: “Is this what you do all day?”

Me: “Sorry?”

Customer: *gesturing to my register* “Is this what you do all day? You stand here scanning things. Is this what you plan to spend your whole life doing?”

Me: “No, I do… other things.”

Customer: “Well, I should say so. Hmph!”

(I train seeing-eye dogs and service animals for a living and have for the past ten years. The number of people who ignore a vest on a dog ceased to surprise me many years ago. On this day, I have three six-month-old golden retriever pups with me who are being trained as therapy companion animals — not seeing-eye dogs — so their training is a little different, and it’s not as strict as it is for dogs who need to be alert animals or guide dogs. I’ve taken them down to the dog park for socialising in their little vests that state they’re in training. When we get there, the dog park is mostly empty, save for a young couple in their 20s and their four- or five-year-old daughter. They’re throwing a ball for a chocolate lab puppy around the same age as my trio of loveable idiots, and mine are whining at me because they want to be “freed” to chase the ball. Sticking to their training, they’re sitting at my feet practically vibrating with excitement. The little girl tosses the ball and it rolls within three feet of my pups, who all amp up their whining. The other family’s dog seems to get spooked by mine, so it hangs back, and the little girl comes to retrieve the ball.)

Little Girl: “Oh! Mummy! Puppies!”

(I’m already impressed that she hasn’t barrelled forward to grab at the pups like most kids her age would do; even adults tend to think that because they’re small and cute they are up for grabs. While they all frantically wag their tails at the thought of a new friend, they stay seated. The little girl cocks her head to the side and starts sounding out the letters on their vests.)

Little Girl: “T… tr… tra… Train! Excuse me, are these train dogs?”

(Her parents have come over and we all giggle at her saying “train dogs.”)

Dad: “They say, ‘dog in training,’ sweetie. What does it mean when a doggy has a vest on with words on it?”

Little Girl: *sadly* “To leave them alone because they’re doing a job. I just wanted to look at them; they’re cute.”

(Her own puppy has sidled forward to sniff at mine, who are all ready to explode by this point but are still seated, waiting for the all-clear. The mum calls her dog back and holds his collar, apologising.)

Me: “That’s fantastic! You’re very clever. But guess what? These puppies are learning to be good friends to kids who need to feel safe and loved, so they can play. You ready guys? FREE!”

(The three balls of golden fluff EXPLODED from at my feet. They started running in circles, pawing at the other puppy, yipping excitedly, and licking the little girls’ shoes. Her face was something I’ll remember forever; a kid getting to play in a pile of puppies is something truly magical. She asked lots of questions about different kinds of helper dogs, and promised me she wouldn’t bother any dogs in vests unless their human said it was okay. Her parents thanked me, but I thanked them, as well, as learning to behave around kids is something very important to support dogs and we got in some great practice that day. That kiddo was so great for already knowing what a service animal was. I hope I can meet more like her in the future.)

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