(I’m at my work’s Christmas party, which I’ve mostly organized under the direction of the owner’s wife, who has given lots of instructions on making sure the food will be sufficient and be enjoyed by the workers. As a result, I buy a lot of samosas and dishes for the workers based on their suggestions. It should be noted that the owners are the only German Christians in the factory and everyone else is either atheist, Muslim, Hindu, or something else. This happens as soon as we’re all seated with plates of food.)

Owner: “Now, I feel it should be brought to your attention an issue one of our customers has been having. Apparently, some of his workers are having problems working together because of different religious and ethnic backgrounds. As you can all see, we are very diverse here and I feel we should all take a moment to remember to accept our differences and each other.”

(Cue moment of silence.)

Owner’s Wife: “Now then, I’m sure there won’t be any issues here. So, let’s all close our eyes and say grace.”

(Cue a room full of uncomfortable non-Christians listening to a long religious speech largely about acceptance.)

(In Canada, the Scanning Code of Practice states that if a product rings up at a certain price but the shelf advertised it at a lower price, the customer gets the product for free, and a refund if they have already paid. This following exchange happens near the end of my long shift when I’m about ready to go home.)

Customer: “Excuse me. I just bought this [Specialty Bread], and the shelf said it was $2, but the receipt says it’s $2.99.”

Me: *after verifying that the bread is actually $2* “Okay, I can give you a refund for it.”

Customer: “Why am I getting my money back? I still want the bread; it’s what I came to the store for.”

Me: “You get your money back and the bread for free, since the shelf price and the scanning price are different. That’s the scanning code of practice.”

(I hand her the $3.00 and the refund slip for her to sign.)

Customer: “Okay, so, now that I have the money back for that, can you fix the price so I can pay what it’s supposed to be?”

Me: “No. You get your money back and the item for free if it rings up incorrectly. It’s only if you have two or more of the same product that you would get the first item for free, and then the second one you would get charged the shelf price for.”

Customer: “So, I don’t have to pay you any money? I just get my money and the bread for free?”

Me: *almost at the end of my patience* “Yes. That is the point of the Scanning Code of Practice.”

Customer: “Well, why didn’t you say that in the first place?”  

Me: *screaming internally*

(I’ve had a long day, with a lot of people yelling at me for things out of my control. A coworker has come over to cover my break for me, and I am just about to sign off when a man comes up to my register.)

Customer: “Hi. I got this [Milk Brand that the store doesn’t carry] the other day, and it’s the wrong kind. Can I get a refund?”

Me: “We actually don’t carry that brand of milk.”

Customer: “Are you sure? I have the receipt.”

(He pulls out the receipt, which my coworker and I read through. Lo and behold, there is no milk to be found on the receipt.)

Me: “No, there’s no [Brand] milk on here. Sorry about that.”

Customer: “Huh. I don’t know where my head is today. Don’t worry about it. Sorry about holding you up. Have a nice day.”

(He leaves with his milk and I turn to my coworker, both of us dumbfounded at what just took place.)

Me: “Did he actually just not get really angry about that, or was I just imagining it?”

Coworker: “No, that definitely happened.”

(I work at a coffee shop.)

Customer: “I want a cafe mocha, but hold the whipped cream. Well, don’t actually hold it, ’cause that’s unsanitary.”

Me: “Uh… Okay?”

Customer: *laughing* “Oh, my gosh, I am so sorry. It’s early in the morning!”

(The time was 3:30 pm.)

(Pet stores in Canada have not sold dogs or cats for about six years. Some still sell rabbits, and most have guinea pigs, mice, gerbils, and rats. I work in a shoe store in the mall, and across from us there used to be a pet store, about ten years ago. A customer brings in his eight- or nine-year-old daughter one day, asking about the store.)

Customer: “Where is the pet store that used to be over there?”

Me: “Sorry, sir, there hasn’t been a pet store there for about ten years.”

Customer: “Oh, well, where can I find a pet store?”

Me: “There are a few in town. What are you looking for? Food?”

Customer: “No, I want animals. I told my daughter we could go see the puppies.”

Me: “Oh, well, I’m sorry, but pet stores don’t sell dogs or cats anymore. They do have gerbils or rabbits at the store down the road.”

Customer: “I don’t want rabbits; I want dogs! My daughter wants to see dogs!”

Me: “I’m sorry, but the only place in town to see puppies is at the humane society across town.”

Customer: “Well, that’s not helpful! Pet stores should sell puppies again! Why don’t they sell puppies?”

Me: “Because of over-breeding and puppy mills. They weren’t humane.”

Customer: “That’s ridiculous!”

(He turned around and stormed out, dragging his daughter after him.)