I worked at a pet store chain. We were often expected to work off the clock, including helping customers on unpaid breaks and clocking out before helping close.

I always told them that I wasn’t going to work without being paid. In return, they called me greedy and “not a team player.”

Apparently, this multibillion-dollar company can’t afford an extra few bucks to pay a minimum-wage employee if they stay late to close or work on their “break”.

CONTENT WARNING: Animal Cruelty

My coworker and I are taking turns assisting customers with fish. A fun fact: customers don’t know fish. They’d be willing to throw a goldfish in a gallon tank if we let them. My coworker approaches me.

Coworker: “These people are trying to get fish without having their tank cycled or anything. I told them they should wait at least a day, but just a heads-up in case they ask you.”

Me: “Okay, thank you.”

Sure enough, they come to the registers and the customer continues complaining to my coworker.

Customer: “So, we can leave the tank waiting until after supper?”

Coworker: “It’s really best to wait at least a couple of days.”

Customer: “We’ll be back later.”

It’s obvious she wants to come back when my coworker and I are gone.

A few hours later, she comes back. My coworker has gone and I am in the last hour of my shift. We informed our manager earlier on.

Customer: “I’d like to get some fish.”

I go back and inform my manager, as earlier the customer told her grandson he could get eight fish for a ten-gallon tank, which I wasn’t going to do and I wanted a witness.

I walk over to the tanks and explain to her that I can’t sell her eight tetras; I can sell her at most three.

Customer: “It said on the box that we could get ten fish!”

Me: “That’s actually the gallons, and unfortunately, these fish grow to about three inches, meaning I can’t sell you eight; it’s cruel to the fish.”

She turns to her grandson.

Customer: “You can only get three fish.”

Grandson: “Why?”

Customer: “Because apparently, we’re living in the Soviet Union.”

Grandson: “But we can come back and get the other five tomorrow, right?”

Customer: “Of course.”

They got their fish and left. I told my manager what their plan was so they could keep a lookout. She came back at least two times to get replacement fish because the ones she had continued dying.

Please listen to employees who work with the animals in question. We want what’s best for them!

I work in a pet supply store in a large strip mall-type area. For safety issues, our restrooms are for employee use only and locked with a keypad. This change happened the first week I started working there, so I never really asked any questions. We are literally a thirty-second walk from several other stores that do have public restrooms.

Me: “Hi, is there anything you need help with?”

Customer: “I have been driving all day, and I really need to use the restroom.”

He puts extra emphasis on the “all day” part, and I can tell that he already knows our restrooms are not public but he is trying to make me feel bad for him.

Me: “Oh, I’m sorry, we don’t have public restrooms, but [Closest Store] right next door does.”

There is an awkward silence for a moment.

Me: “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

Customer: “Where’s the cat food?”

Me: “The next few aisles in that direction are all cat food!”

The next half-hour includes him grabbing a single bag of cat food and then proceeding to walk around and have the exact same conversation with all of my coworkers. Every. Single. One. he’s yelling about how he’s been driving all day and needs a restroom immediately. Interesting; he could have gone twenty minutes ago to the one next door.

He comes back to the aisle I’m working in and meanders around a bit.

Me: “Is there something else I can help you with?”

Customer: “What I need help with is that I’ve been driving all day to get stuff from your store and I just need to use the restroom!”

He has a very common brand of food in his hand that can be found in most grocery stores.

Me: “I’m so sorry, but there is nothing I can do about that.”

He stormed off yelling over the fact that he was spending money so he should get to use the restroom.

This sort of thing happens at least twice a week. What’s so special about OUR specific restroom that makes you need to use it? I’m just following the rules; I’d literally get in trouble if I let him use the restroom.

A customer comes and dumps some frozen product on the counter.

Customer: “I’m not done. I’m just leaving this here.”

Later, the customer comes back with an armful of dog treats.

Customer: “I’m not done; I just can’t carry any more.”

Me: “Would you like a bag?”

Customer: “No, I’m not done.”

Later, after she is finally done:

Me: “So you didn’t want a bag, right?”

Customer: “Of course, I want a bag. I have so much stuff!”

My county recently started requiring us to charge for bags but only the biggest size we have. I reach for a small bag.

Customer: “No, I always get a big bag. I have so much stuff.”

I get her a big bag and add the charge. Then, I start packing up her stuff.

Customer: *Holding up a dog treat* “I don’t like the way they changed these. Can you talk to someone?”

I’m briefly stunned that she thinks I could possibly do anything about that.

Me: “…I guess I could talk to my manager.”

But the customer has already moved on:

Customer: “I should be getting a discount.”

I haven’t told her her total yet. I go to the next screen, which gives me her total including the discount.

Me: “Yep, your total is [total].”

Customer: “I guess I need to train you.”

Me: *Gritting my teeth* “Do you want your receipt, today?”

Customer: “Of course I do.”

Most customers don’t, actually, but fine. I stuff it in the bag. I’ve left her frozen stuff out, because the condensation on it will get everything else wet, but I ask anyway.

Me: “Did you want these in the bag, too?”

Customer: “Of course. I’ll get you trained.”

Me: “…”

All in all, one of the more frustrating interactions I’ve had at this job. And it’s only Monday…

I’m a manager and a fish geek. We have an excellent display of Betta fish (Siamese Fighter fish) at my store — around twenty individual fish. They are a tropical species and can be fickle at best; caring for them is complicated.

A woman comes in to ask about the Bettas.

Woman: “I want to purchase all of your Bettas. I’m getting married, and I want to use them as centrepieces on my table displays; each table will have a fish in a vase. I’d like you to hold them until my wedding, and then have them bagged up and ready on [date a week from now].”

Me: “What do you have planned for ongoing care for these fish?”

Woman: “They’re going to be given to the guests at the end of the wedding.”

Me: “Absolutely not.”

Cue hysterics and the mother of all tantrums, complete with the classic, “You’re destroying my day!”

Sigh.