I worked in a Mexican restaurant. We had a senior’s discount but policy states that we have to wait for them to ask for it. We weren’t supposed to just give it to them but sometimes I would just give it to obviously elder folks.

Once, after my standard greeting, I decide I will do so for a grey-haired man. But before he even places his order, he picks up my ‘take-a-penny, leave-a-penny cup’ with one hand, pours it into his palm, and puts all the change in his pocket. He even stares me in the eye the entire time as if to challenge me to do something about it.

To which I decide that he has taken his own senior discount. Too bad, because the one I would have given him would have saved him a lot more.

Server: “Welcome to [Fast Food]. Would you like to try our new [Special] burger?”

Husband: “No, thank you. I’d like an order of onion rings and—”

Server: *punches in medium [Special] combo with small fries & drink*

Me: “Wait? What?”

Server: “Your total is [amount]. Please pull forward.”

Husband: “Hello? We didn’t want that!”

Server: “…”

Me: “Hello?”

Server: “…”

(We drove off and went to a different fast food chain — one that actually listened to what we wanted to order.)

(We only carry one size and flavour of milkshakes.)

Customer: “Can I have a large vanilla shake and two small strawberry shakes?”

Me: “I’m sorry, we only carry chocolate, and it’s just one size.”

Customer: “Fine, one large and two small chocolate shakes.”

Me: “The shakes are only one size. Is that okay?”

Customer: “Yeah, okay, whatever.”

(I prepare the shakes and hand them to the customer.)

Customer: “I asked for a vanilla and two strawberry, and the vanilla was supposed to be large! These are all small and all chocolate!”

(I’m taking a drive-thru order.)

Customer: “Can I have a [burger combo]?”

Me: “Absolutely. What toppings would you like?”

Customer: *lists toppings*

Me: “Okay, and what side and drink with that?”

Customer: *repeats toppings*

Me: “Yes, I have that here already. What would you like for your side and drink?”

Customer: *repeats toppings again*

Me: *trying a different approach* “No problem, is your combo going to be with fries and [drink]?”

Customer: “No, it’s with—” *repeats toppings yet again*

(Eventually I just rang in fries and a random fountain drink. They didn’t complain.)

(A customer places an order in drive-thru. I give them their total and greet them at the window.)

Me: “Hi, your total is [total].”

Customer: “Sorry, can we add a large drink to that?”

(I ring it in and give them their new total.)

Me: “Okay, with the drink your new total is [$3.00 more].”

(She hands me enough money for the original total.)

Me: *counting the money* “Sorry, I just need another $3.”

Customer: “Okay.”

(She doesn’t move, just smiles at me.)

Me: “Sorry, you were $3 short. Your total was [total] and you only gave me [amount].”

Customer: “…”

Me: “…I need another $3.”

Customer: “I’m just trying to figure out why it costs more now.”