(A discount big-box store has just opened up a block from my job. I get to work very early one day, and decide to swing by and check it out. The prices are very good so I pick up a few things, but I lose track of time. By the time I get to the register, I’m cutting it a little close to get to work on time.)

Cashier: “That’s [price], and you even get a coupon for your next visit!”

Me: “That’s really great, thanks!”

Cashier: “Do you have our rewards card?”

Me: “No.”

Cashier: “Would you like to sign up? It’s free.”

Me: “Can I sign up online or something? I’d love to have the card, but I’m really running short on time.”

Cashier: “No, I’m sorry; I don’t think you can do that.”

Me: “Oh, okay, I’ll just sign up the next time I’m in.”

(I take my purchases and leave. A few days later I get off work early and so am able to stop in without time constraint. I get a couple more things and go to the register to be checked out.)

Cashier #2: “Do you have our rewards card?”

Me: “No, can I sign up here?”

Cashier #2: “Sure, I can have you fill out the form here, or you can do it online at your convenience.”

Me: *facepalm*

(I’m in my first semester of college. I’ve just had my first midterm, and unfortunately I’ve also caught a cold and am not quite thinking straight. I’m at the check out line with my groceries when I realize I’ve left my credit card back at the dorm.)

Me: *quietly embarrassed* “I forgot my credit card back at the dorm. I’m really sorry; I can’t buy these right now.”

Cashier: “Oh, don’t worry about it. We’ll just put them back.”

Me: “I really am sorry.”

Cashier: “Don’t worry about it; it’s okay. I’m sorry you can’t get these right now.”

(At this point, the customer in line behind me speaks up.)

Customer: “Just put them on mine.”

Me: *shocked* “What?”

Customer: “I’ll pay for them; don’t worry.”

Me: “You don’t have to. It’s my own fault.”

Customer: “It’s okay, really. My mother, father, brother, and I all went to [nearby college] at the same time. I have five kids. I would have wanted someone do to this for me.”

(At this point I’m near tears. She pays for my groceries and I thank her profusely. She and the cashier talk to me about my majors and tell me to study hard, which I assure them I will. Thank you, random lady, for helping me out when I made a stupid mistake! The world needs more kind people like you!)

(Along the front of the register counter, we have boxes of novelty lighters for sale, the most popular of which are shaped like flip-flops. Everyone plays with them, ignoring the huge neon signs that state: ‘Please do NOT play with lighters!’ As a result, a number of them are empty and no longer work. A pair of teenage customers are waiting in line, while I ring up another customer.)

Me: “Alright, your total is [total].”

(As I hand the change to the customer, I notice one of the teenagers pick up a flip-flop lighter and start flicking it.)

Me: “Please do NOT play with the lighters.”

(The teenage customer huffs and drops it back into the box while muttering to her friend.)

Customer: “Why not? I’m old enough!”

Me: “It’s not a matter of age. If everyone ignores the signs and plays with the lighters, they become empty. And then no one will buy them.”

(I ring up the teenager’s items, and give her the change.)

Me: “Have a nice night!”

Customer: “I’ll TRY. But I doubt I will because you were such a b****!”

(The teenage customer then storms off, leaving all her stuff in the bag on the counter.)

Me: “Don’t forget your bag!”

Customer: “Ugh! This is why I hate shopping; everyone is like, so RUDE!”

(I am 21 years old. I look my age, but do sometimes get asked for ID for tobacco. I am queuing in the shop with my cigarettes in my hand. The cashier looks to be in her 60s.)

Me: “Hi, can I just get a lighter please?”

Cashier: “Certainly, but do you have any ID I can see?”

Me: “Oh, I guess I’ve left it behind. Never mind, I guess I’ll manage without.”

(The cashier gestures at the cigarettes I’m holding.)

Cashier: “If you can’t prove your age, I’ll need to take those.”

Me: “…pardon?”

Cashier: “You didn’t show me any ID.”

Me: “Yes, and I understand why you can’t sell to me, but I’m not going to give you my cigarettes.”

Cashier: “But you didn’t show me ID!”

(I’m sympathetic, because I’ve worked in retail, and I think that she may just not be aware of the law.)

Me: “If I’m attempting to buy products from you, and you have reason to believe that I’m underage, then you are within your right to refuse sale. But you can’t take my property from me, even if you believe I’m too young to have such items.”

Cashier: “You need ID to buy cigarettes!”

Me: *giving up* “…goodbye.”

(I am working behind the register on my first ever day of employment. It is also a particularly busy day. I am finalizing the purchase and handing the customer her bag…)

Me: “Thank you for shopping at [Store]; have a nice day!”

(The customer snaps her head up, gasping, while simultaneously dropping her bag of goods to the floor.)

Customer: “What did you say?”

Me: “I thanked you for shopping here, and told you to have a good d—”

Customer: “I know what you said! You told me to have a good DEATH!”

Me: “Ma’am, I can assure you that I did not say anything of the kind.”

Customer: “You DID! You DID and it’s YOU that should be dying, YOU B****! I can assure you that I’ll be taking this further!”

(There is an unimpressed looking customer next in line.)

Next Customer: “Lady, pick up your s*** and get out of here, or I’ll kill you myself.”

See this story as a comic!