CONTENT WARNING: Pet Death

My husband and I had just dropped our rabbit off at the vet’s; she was not doing well and the outlook was not hopeful. We needed some groceries, so we were in the discount supermarket next door when we got a phone call to tell us that our rabbit had had a seizure and ask if we wanted them to attempt resuscitation.

As we were next door, we said we’d be right over, but we had a basket of shopping. My husband refuses to be one of those people who just leave stuff in the wrong place, so he handed it to a cashier.

Husband: “I’m sorry. Our pet is dying, so we need to go, but we’ll be back for our shopping.”

Our rabbit sadly passed away, and after saying our goodbyes, we went back to the supermarket to get our shopping. As soon as the cashier saw us — I was still sobbing — she left her till and the large queue. She’d put our basket in the chiller out the back to stop anything going bad. She gave me a hug and got a colleague to open a till so we could just get our things and go.

The supermarket in question has a reputation for curt service and scanning items too quickly, but that cashier made a terrible night slightly more bearable. It really stood out as an example of people caring, which doesn’t happen too often these days.

I’m done with my groceries and get in line.

Cashier: “Excuse me, miss, could you place this sign at the end of the line so I can close after helping you?”

Me: “Of course!”

I take the sign and place it behind my groceries. It’s quite the sign, pretty hard to miss, but this wouldn’t be on this site if it ended there! And yes, an older man starts unloading his groceries, putting the sign aside.

Cashier: “Excuse me, sir, I’m about to close.”

The man doesn’t respond.

Cashier: “Sir, this cash register is closed.”

The man looks up. He looks around, bewildered.

Me: “The cash register is closed; that’s why the sign was there.”

Customer: “What sign? And why would you close? You still have customers! How dare you close when there are still customers?!”

Cashier: “Sir, my shift is over, but there are plenty of other cash registers still open. There’s only one person at register one.”

Customer: “You still have customers!” *Packs everything in his cart again* “You’re here to help customers!”

He leaves anyway and I can hear him say something while waiting in line one, but I have no idea what. The cashier sighs and mutters.

Cashier: “Sorry that I want to go home after an eight-hour shift.” *Sees me* “Oh, I’m so sorry!”

Me: “Oh, you don’t have to apologize for a boomer who can’t wait two more minutes.”

Cashier: “I didn’t mean you—”

Me: “Then I certainly heard nothing. So, what’s my total? And yes, to the receipt and I’d like to pay with my card. Thank you and have a lovely evening!”

I made sure I hurried so the girl could go home. It sounded like she needed it. While I packed my groceries, I saw the man walking to Customer Service. I saw who was on duty. I know that woman; she doesn’t take crap from anyone. I would love to have been a fly on that wall!

It’s 2020, and in the midst of the first lockdown. In order to keep us – and our customers – safe, our managers have decided to implement a rule which means we cannot take cash. The safe in the office is empty. We have no money in our till drawers. We cannot take it at all. There are signs all around the shop stating this (several on the front windows, two on the front doors, one on the hand sanitiser, on the fridge doors – basically everywhere). Still, we get customers who think they are an exception. With this, being berated for mask laws that aren’t our choice, and trying desperately to calm panic buyers who want a dozen packs of toilet rolls, we are fed up.

I am serving a line of people when a man comes to my till, scans through the shopping, and then tries to hand me a £20 note.

Me: “I’m very sorry, but we’re not accepting cash at the moment.”

Customer: “What?!”

Me: “We cannot accept cash. You can pay by card, or if you don’t have it on you I can pause the transaction and keep your shopping to the side while you get it.”

Customer: “Just take the money!”

Me: “I’m sorry, but we have no change to give you; we have no cash anywhere on the premises.”

Customer: “This is ridiculous and illegal! This whole rule is just a f****** disgrace and you should be ashamed of yourself! Just take the f****** cash and do your job!”

At this point, a supervisor who is standing nearby steps up beside me.

Supervisor: “I won’t tolerate you talking to anyone like that. We have no change in the drawers or anywhere in the shop. It is the manager’s rule, so either pay by card or just get out.”

The man silently paid by card and left, and I was honestly shocked. My supervisor was a friendly, fairly quiet guy who I had never heard talk back to anyone. It was just a sign of how fed up we all were with being verbally abused by customers. I quit retail not long after that. The icing on the cake was hearing how some of my younger colleagues, not long out of high school, had to be picked up from work after their night shift because a customer made them feel too afraid to walk home.

I work in a grocery store deli. While the store as a whole doesn’t close, there are certain sections that do (deli, meat/seafood, bakery). The hours of those sections are clearly posted, but we all know about certain customers and reading.

On the night in question, I’m the last one closing. The deli section itself has been closed for close to an hour at this point and everything is deep-cleaned. I’m just finishing up some paperwork.

Customer: “I would like a pound of ham.”

Me: “I’m sorry, but the deli is closed.”

Customer: “Come on, I’m shopping for someone. They’re waiting in the car right outside.”

Me: “Everything is cleaned off and I have to leave soon. I’m sorry, but I can’t help you.”

Customer: “It won’t take you that long to get my meat and clean up again!”

I wouldn’t budge and the customer left in a huff. I had to file some of the paperwork in a different area of the store. From there, I could see the deli. Right after I got there, I saw the customer come back with a manager and gesture angrily at the empty, clean deli. The manager just shrugged, said something to the customer, and walked off. I made sure to take the long way around leaving the store so the customer didn’t see me.

I work at the fish counter.

Customer: “I don’t want any salmon with chili on it.”

Me: “Um… I don’t understand.”

Customer: “Do you have salmon without any chili on it?”

Me: “None of our salmon has chili on it.”

Customer: “Your sign says it does. Right there.”

Me: “Ma’am, that says Chile. It’s where the salmon is from.”