A customer comes up with “They Both Die at the End” by Adam Silvera. 

Customer: “What’s this book about? Is it the same as the new TV show?”

I explain the plot.

Customer: “It sounds depressing. I don’t think you should stock this anymore.”

Me: “Well, it’s not up to me; it’s up to my boss. I read it myself and there are some sad parts, but overall, it’s a good book.”

Customer: “I still don’t like it. I wouldn’t approve of my daughter reading this, anyway.”

Me: “That’s completely up to you.”

Customer: “Yeah, I don’t know why she likes all these teen books. She just graduated college. She should be reading authors like Judy Blume or that one author with the book about fires. The one with the Asian name.”

She set down the book on the counter and purchased some romance novels.

We are short-staffed due to a coworker choosing not to show up at all for the past several days, so my coworker and I are considerably backed up. We are informing all walk-in customers of an up-to-thirty-minute wait time.

A woman walks in while we are in the midst of this. We inform her of the wait time, and she agrees and places her order. As soon as it’s paid for, she walks to the counter where food is to be assembled and picked up and immediately sprawls all the way across it. When I try to get her to move, she just moves a few inches aside, ignoring the fact that another customer literally has to reach around her and get his food.

One of our other waiting customers, an older woman, likely already irritated by the long wait, speaks up.

Older Woman Customer: “Miss, could you back away from the counter? We’re all supposed to be staying six feet apart and you’re getting too close to everyone picking up.”

Without even looking up from her phone, the first customer answers:

Customer: “No, I think I’m fine right here.”

Seeing as she’s STILL taking up the entire counter and isn’t even wearing a mask — meaning she’s pretty much breathing all over everyone else’s food — I speak up, as well.

Me: “Actually, no, ma’am, you’re not fine right there. I need you to back up furth—”

Customer: “I said I’m fine right here. I’m not breathing on nothing; this b**** needs to mind her business.”

The woman who chimed in starts arguing with her, insisting that Miss Sprawl-Across-the-Counter back up and that she doesn’t want anyone that close to her or anyone else’s food, while the younger woman continues to just stay put and complains that she shouldn’t have to. Other customers are beginning to come to the older lady’s defence. In an effort to diffuse the situation, I finally tell the older lady:

Me: “I’ll just put y’all’s food over here, then.”

I indicate the rack several feet over meant for web orders.

As soon as I say that, the woman decides she wants her money back because she feels insulted.

Customer: “I shouldn’t have to move for this b****!”

I don’t think I’ve ever been so quick to refund someone. Once I hand her the money back, she hangs for just a moment longer before quipping:

Customer: “Uh. You didn’t say, ‘Thank you.'”

Me: “No, ma’am, I didn’t.”

I went back to serving our thoroughly-entertained remaining customers, ignoring Miss Sprawl-Across-the-Counter as she stormed out.

Related:
Sub-Standard Behavior, Part 2
Sub-Standard Behavior

A customer has come in and asked for a gluten-free option that isn’t offered on the menu. Luckily for the customer, a private party came in yesterday and preordered all kinds of gluten-free variants of our menu and we have stock left over. The manager lamented that the stock would go to waste if it wasn’t used soon.

Because of this, I know that I can offer my coeliac customer more gluten-free options than usual (as a one-off) but I just have to check with the kitchen to confirm what stock they have leftover.

This story takes place just as service is opening and the kitchen does not have any orders yet. 

Me: “Hi, [Chef]. Do we have any stock left of the gluten-free options from last night’s private party? We have someone with a severe allergy and I wanted to check for her.”

Chef: “Oh. Well. Yes. But you have to be very clear that this was because we preordered for a private party. We don’t normally have all these options unless someone preorders.”

Me: “Got it. I did let her know that was the case, but if you could let me know what options I can offer, that would be great.”

Chef: “You have to let her know that we don’t usually do this. Tell her that she has to preorder for next time.”

Me: “I did mention that to her. Now, we usually offer the gluten-free fish and chips, but do we have any of the gluten-free pies left from yesterday?”

Chef: *Raises voice* “Listen to me. F***** listen to me. She has to preorder next time.”

Me: “Yes. [Chef]. I understand. I do. But she doesn’t have to preorder this time, and I would like to know what gluten-free options I can offer my customer.”

Chef: “You aren’t listening to me.”

Me: “Okay, [Chef]. I’m listening.”

Chef: “This is a one-off. Tell the customer that this is a one-off and that we don’t usually offer gluten-free versions of [Dish #1] and [Dish #2]. She has to preorder if she wants these things.”

Me: “Yes. I understand. She has to preorder next time. But [Manager] mentioned that we were going to throw away a large amount of food unless the gluten-free overstock was cleared. Can you please tell me what gluten-free options we have leftover from the party, so I know what to offer her right now?”

Chef: “For f***’s sake!”

He threw down his hat and stormed away. Confused, I left the kitchen and found the restaurant manager, who was able to confirm which dishes that I could offer. It turned out to be nearly all of them, which led to one happy customer.

Even though it had a happy ending, this interaction is one of the many reasons that I no longer work at that establishment.

I work in a law firm in a skyscraper. The building has six elevators located in a vestibule towards the middle of the floors. Last summer, the three elevators on the left side of the vestibule were shut down for repair work. Over the last six months, each one has been repaired; however, now none of the elevators on the left side “ding” when they arrive to each floor, and the up/down call button light in the vestibule usually turns off a good five to ten seconds before the doors actually open.

I enter the empty vestibule and mash the UP button, standing with my back to the “quiet” elevators. Since the repairs, I often end up waiting a good few minutes for any of the elevators to arrive, and this time is no different. Just as I’m considering taking the stairs instead, a lawyer enters and hits the DOWN button on the right side of the vestibule. Since I’m facing him, I notice that the UP light is no longer illuminated.

Less than two seconds later, I hear the elevator behind me open and the automated voice exclaim, “Going UP!” I spin around and take the single step over the threshold. I’ve just scanned my keycard and hit the floor I need when the lawyer abruptly leans towards me, yelling.

Lawyer: “Wait! I think you just stole my elevator!”

Startled, I started to point up, but before I could actually say anything, the doors shut. 

He complained to my superior, and I was given a warning for being “aggressive.” What the actual f***?

I am working as an instructor in a high ropes course. Our business is based in a beautiful forest, so you can enjoy nature, take zip lines through the trees, climb through nets and onto bridges, and so on. To reach us, you have to walk about five minutes through the forest by a footpath.

It is the first day without rain for about a week, so the ground is still muddy and wet. We always recommend outdoor clothing — clothes which could get dirty and be cleaned easily. I am standing at our hut waiting for customers when this middle-aged father with his children and his wife appear.

Me: “Good morning, sir! Would you like to go on an adventure with us?”

Customer: “I want a refund! Look at my shoes! They’re totally messed up… It’s very dirty and muddy in the woods!”

Me: “I’m sorry, sir, it’s rained a lot the whole week.”

Customer: “You have to build a street or something! It’s unacceptable!”

Me: “I understand, but with all due respect, sir, this is an outdoor activity park. I am afraid we’re not allowed to build streets through the forest. We are just happy to be allowed to build this business here.”

Customer: *Screaming* “What bad service! Who do you think you are?! I want a refund! Now!”

Me: “I’m sorry. This is an adventure course with zip-lines; you will get a little bit dirty. I’m afraid we cannot give you a refund for something you didn’t book or pay.”

Customer: “Get me your manager! Now!”

I do as I’m told and the guy repeats his complaint about the mud and my “rude and bad service.” My manager listens and smiles.

Manager: “You have two options now: leave or have a wonderful day with your family here. But you won’t get a refund, discount, or anything else. It’s your choice.”

The guy’s family, who had been silent up to this point, was now in a panic. The kids wanted to go climbing in the trees and Mama did not want crying and arguing children. In the end, they just paid. My manager later gave the kids a free entry to our mini-golf, while their parents argued a lot about his behaviour.

Related:
Mother Versus Nature