(I am working on reception, doing 11-hour shifts to cover the Christmas break.)

Me: “Hello!”

Customer: “Good morning.”

(He hands me his membership cards.)

Me: “Are these for the gym?”

(We are a leisure centre so we have other facilities in the building, plus I don’t recognise him. We are a small centre and have our regulars.)

Customer: “Yes! And I am still waiting for you to say ‘Good Morning’ back!”

(He just glared at me and made me feel like a piece of crap. Out of nervousness, I laughed, then swiped his card, said ‘good morning,’ and took his debit card payment. He snatched the card out of my hand, grunted, and went off to the gym. I mouthed at my colleague who was standing behind him ‘what a dick!’ which made me feel better. No need for people to be like that.)

(I’m the employee in this story. I’m working at a gym’s front desk, signing in members and guests. My coworker is tired of standing, so he has knelt down so that the counter comes up to his chest. Two girls come in to be checked in.)

Coworker: “Hi, guys! Don’t mind me; I’ve just decided to do all my work on my knees today!”

Me: *quietly, to my coworker* “You know who else works on their knees all day.”

Customer: “Who?”

Me: *after a pause* “Nuns.”

(I am 12 years old and already wear high-prescription glasses. I’m also not very popular. The gym is huge with four courts. A ball hits my face and my glasses came off, yet everyone pays no attention and continues play down the court.)

Me: *gets down and feels for glasses* “Please help; I can’t find my glasses.”

(No response and I continue to feel around.)

Me: *to those on another court* “Hello, can you please help? My glasses fell off and I can’t find them.”

(No response and still feeling around, those on my court are coming back to me.)

Me: “Please STOP! My glasses are somewhere down here; don’t step on them. I can’t find them. Help, please!”

(Still being ignored, I grab one of them and get brushed away.)

Me: *screaming very loudly* “[Teacher]! Please help! My glasses fell off on the court and I can’t find them and everyone is ignoring me!”

Teacher: “What?!” *blows whistle* “Everyone stop what you’re doing.” *they all do* “What do I hear about no one helping this poor girl find her glasses? You better not have damaged them.”

(The teacher made those on my court apologise and find them. Thankfully, no damage. The teacher then gave them a large scolding about their behavior.)

(A new member has recently joined my gym, and it’s obvious from the start that he’s incredibly socially awkward, tending to strike up conversations with the other members while they’re trying to work out. I don’t mind him, because even though he’s slightly inappropriate, he’s very sweet and it’s obvious he’s just being friendly. One day he stops showing up.)

Me: “Hey, [Receptionist], I’ve noticed [New Member] hasn’t been going to his regular classes.

Receptionist: “Oh, yeah, he hasn’t been in for a few weeks.” *quietly* “Are you asking because he was making you feel uncomfortable? We’ve got a lot of complaints about him, and I’m sorry if that’s the case. Nobody should be made to feel like that.”

Me: *a bit agitated at her* “Yeah, I’m sorry, too. I hope he didn’t leave just because everyone here gave him a hard time for being friendly.”

Receptionist: “Uh… sorry?”

Me: “I mean, I agree; nobody should be made to feel like they’re not welcome just because they’re a little odd. It’s obvious coming here to get fit was a big deal to him, and considering how socially awkward he is I think it’s really great he’s taken this step.”

Receptionist: *sheepishly* “Oh… uh, yeah.”

Me: “I’m so glad you think so, too.”

(Luckily he came back the following week, and with a bit of time and encouragement he started to catch on to social cues a bit better. Shows how far a little self confidence can get you!)

(I work in a gym, and we got a new system to lock our lockers two months ago.)

Customer: “What is this s***?” *holding up the card she needs to open the locker*

Me: “Oh, it’s our new locker-system. You don’t have to get one key for each locker now, you can just go to any locker you want and unlock it.”

Customer: “But why didn’t you tell me before!? I was just trying to open these d*** lockers for a half hour!”

Me: “I’m sorry, but we already changed it two months ago. I can’t keep asking everyone if they know how to open it, but I will come with you and show it to you.”

Customer: “No, I don’t have time anymore! Just give me my money back for this visit and let me leave!”

Me: “You are paying monthly like everyone else, so I can’t give you anything back.”

Customer: “I WANT 1/30TH OF MY MONTHLY PAYMENT BECAUSE I JUST LOST THIS DAY BECAUSE OF YOU!”

(At this point I call my manager, and he explains him why he can’t get his money back. The customer breaks his card and just walks away.)

Manager: “Do you know his name?”

Me: “Yes, why?”

Manager: “These cards cost €30 each; just put it on his next monthly payment and call me if he calls and complains…”

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