I am at a store buying some silk flowers.

Cashier: “Come on, girl, smile for me. Girls are prettier when they smile.”

Me: “Sir, the last thing I want to do right now is smile. I’m going to the cemetery after this.”

He turned bright red and apologized. My aunt was next in line, and she told him he’d better not tell her to smile, too. He was silent for her transaction until he told her the total.

I went up to the cashier (late teens, male) at the grocery store. Among other things, I had a see-through package of bleu cheese. As he went to ring it up, we had this conversation.

Cashier: “Sir, this cheese is moldy. Let me get you a fresh one.”

Me: “No, that’s fine.”

Cashier: “Are you sure? It won’t take a minute.”

Me: “Really, it’s fine.”

Cashier: “You know, since you bought it like this, you won’t be able to return it.”

Me: *Internally eye-rolling* “Okay.”

I stop at a convenience store and see a disheveled woman sitting outside with a cart full of clothing and blankets, not looking at anyone.

Me: “Hey, are you okay?”

Woman: *Surprised* “Oh! I… Well, I’m hungry.”

Me: “Do you want something from here?”

Woman: “Yes. I tried to buy a sandwich and a water, but the cashier kicked me out.”

Me: “Oh. Well, what kind of sandwich? I’ll get it for you.”

Woman: *Smiling* “Really?”

Me: “Sure.”

Woman: “A ham and cheese would be great. And a bottle of water if you can. It doesn’t have to be a big one.”

I walk in, and the cashier speaks up.

Cashier: “I saw you talking to her.”

Me: “Okay?”

The cashier rolls his eyes. I grab what I came for and ask for $40 on a gas pump. He enters my gas request and scans what I got for myself, but he puts the sandwiches and water aside. 

Cashier: “That’s [total].”

Me: “The sandwiches and water, too.”

Cashier: “I’m not allowing you to enable her.”

Me: *Louder* “Scan the sandwiches and water, or get your manager.”

Cashier: “FINE! [MANAGER]!”

A man emerges from the back. 

Manager: “What’s going on?”

Me: “He’s refusing to sell me those sandwiches and waters because they’re for the woman outside.”

Cashier: “We reserve the right to refuse service!”

Me: “Oh. You’re refusing service?”

Cashier: “Yes!”

Manager: “No, I’m sorry, ma’am. [Cashier], ring her up properly.”

Cashier: “No. Service! Refused!”

Me: “Okay.”

I turn and walk toward the door. 

Cashier: “Hey! You have to pay!”

Me: “You refused service. I can’t buy anything.”

Manager: “[Cashier], go straighten something. Ma’am, I’m sorry. I will give you one of the waters and sandwiches for free for the inconvenience.”

I came back, bought everything, and left. The cashier stood inside watching me hand the food and water to the grateful woman. I made eye contact with the cashier, and he gave me the middle finger. I gave two back right before his manager grabbed him by the arm and yanked him away from the window.

I’ve been back to that store several times and have not seen the cashier or the woman since. I hope both got everything they deserved.

I used to work with a woman as a cashier back when people wrote checks more than used a credit card. When a customer handed her a check once:

Coworker: “Can I see your driver’s license?”

This was standard practice.

Customer: “I don’t have one.”

Coworker: “I need to see it to confirm that you’re the one who wrote the check.”

Customer: “Well, I didn’t write the check; someone wrote the check for me.”

Coworker: “I’m afraid I can’t accept this check, then—”

Customer: “I’m sorry, but are you looking at me?”

My coworker looked up and noticed the customer for the first time. She reddened, accepted the check, and sent the obviously blind customer on his way.

I start a new job, and within the first week, I am invited out to lunch with some colleagues. We go to a popular soup and sandwich shop.

Cashier: “Hi, how—”

[Colleague #1] rattles off his order and puts his card in.

Cashier: “Okay.”

[Colleague #1] takes his card out and walks away.

Cashier: “Hi, how can I help you today?”

Colleague #2: “What’s in the [Sandwich]?”

Cashier: “It comes with [all of the items listed in the description on the board].”

Colleague #2: “Okay.”

There’s a pause.

Colleague #2: “How much?”

Cashier: “That will be [price] if you just want the sandwich, or—”

Colleague #2: “Okay.”

[Colleague #2] puts his card in, takes it out, and steps away.

Cashier: “Hi, how can I help you today?”

Me: “Hi. How are you?”

Cashier: “Um… I’m okay. How are you?”

Me: “I’m pretty good.”

Cashier: “What would you like to eat?”

Me: “Could I get the [combo meal] with a medium drink, please?”

Cashier: “Sure. That will be [less than I expected].”

Me: “Is that the meal? The sign says—”

Cashier: “Yes, ma’am, that is correct.” *Grins*

Me: “Oh. Um, thank you.”

I pay and step to the side.

We are all seated at a table for a few minutes when the cashier waves me back to him. I go over, thinking I forgot something, and he hands me a chocolate chip cookie.

Me: “I’m sorry, I didn’t know a cookie came with the meal. And um, I don’t want to be that person, but are you sure you charged me correctly?”

Cashier: “You were the first person in three hours to treat me like a person. I used my employee discount for your meal and got the manager to okay giving you a free cookie.”

Me: “Oh! Well, thank you!”

I go back to my table with my free cookie. My colleagues all look at me like I’ve grown a second head.

Colleague #1: “How did you get a free cookie? They never offer me free things!”

Me: “I was nice to him.”

Colleague #1: “You just… You were just nice to him, and he gave you a cookie? I was nice.”

Me: “You interrupted his greeting. I asked how his day was.”

Colleague #1: “Oh.”

They looked at each other, completely baffled by the idea.

I never did get another free cookie from that place, but I did notice my colleagues making the effort to treat cashiers and other service workers with more respect.