I took over the responsibility of running a small team at work, it was clear that they were unhappy so i did all i could to help them out, talk with them regularly and generally keep them running smoothly.

Things improved quickly, but one person always had a complaint, be it work related or otherwise.

He asked to speak to me in private.

Worker: I’ve got a problem, why am i being paid much less than everyone else?

Me: I don’t know your exact wage, but i don’t think you are.

Worker: Well i know that i am! (worker 1) and (worker 2) get paid a lot more than me.

Me; They have been in the position for much longer than you, have completed their training and have had pay increases based on their yearly performance.

Worker: Ok, well how do i complete my training?

Me: You have to show competence in each area of the job, there is a sign off sheet for each skill. When you and I are happy with the skill we will both sign. When you have signed all of them, you are officially trained.

Worker: Ok i want to do that.

(I collect all of the training sheets, they have been written to cover one skill each, i improved them to make sure it was very clear. You could actually use the sheet to help you in the job. Under each one you signed to say that you are competent in that skill and have received training, that if you fail to follow the instruction you may be questioned and possibly (in extreme cases) disciplined.
I give the pack to him and hear nothing until i am called into HR.

HR manager: We have had a complaint about unfair treatment and entrapment. Apparently you have asked (worker) to sign something that will get him in trouble.

Me: That would be the training document, have you read it?

HR manager: Yes.

Me: And you can see that it is nothing like entrapment and everyone has been treated the same?

HR manager: Yes, that was all thanks.

(Not to be put off, i explained everything to the worker again and how this was fair and normal, he accepted and i heard nothing back until i get called into HR again.)

HR manager: We have had a complaint that you are paying someone who works for you less, because of his race,

Me: This would be (worker)?

HR manager: I cannot say.

Me: Ok, i am going to pretend that (Worker) is the only person reporting to me of a different race and explain. (worker) will be paid the full amount for the role minus merit increases earned by others for their long service. He can only do this once he has signed the training documents. This has been explained.

HR manager: And if her refuses to sign?

Me: No one can make a mistake and not face discipline if it is appropriate. That is what this is about. If he truly believes that he cannot do the job after several months, multiple training sessions, i will happily transfer him to any other department that needs him.

HR manager: To be honest with you, i have already spoken to the individual, and think that this is the case but i need to follow the process.

(I hoped that this was all over, i had been nothing but patient and tried to help and explain again he seemed to understand and be happy with the extra effort i was doing to get him more money. To my surprise the worker took me to an independent tribunal which sided in my favour, he then took me to another tribunal that sided in my favour. He later signed the documents and got the payrise without issue.

(I keep fancy rats as pets. Occasionally I’ll take them out for walks riding on my shoulder (with leash and harness). They are very friendly and inquisitive and would never bite, but unfortunately conversations like these happen often.)

Stranger: “Awww, what’s that on your shoulder?” *pets rat, who is licking their hand*

Me: “This is [Rat]. She’s very friendly!”

Stranger: “Awwww, what a cute name! I really love hamsters! They’re so sweet!”*keep in mind they’re still petting her*

Me: “Actually, she’s a rat.”

(The reaction is immediate. They leap back in shock, staring at me and my rat like I just killed a child, and then look at their hand.)

Stranger: “Oh, my God, how could you?! That’s disgusting! It could kill you! Get rid of it!”

(Yes, even though they were just stroking her and singing the rat’s praises, as soon as they found out she was a rat they instantly hate her. Plus, during this whole conversation the rat’s tail was clearly visible. I don’t know how you could mistake her for a hamster…)

(I am waiting for my friend to order a drink. After about 30 seconds he sits down with a large coffee in hand.)

Me: “That was quick!”

Friend: “I know, but it doesn’t taste right.”

(I look in the cup.)

Me: “It looks like regular black coffee.”

Friend: “I know, but I ordered a cappuccino. This doesn’t taste right.”

Me: “It says ‘Rach’ on the cup. It isn’t yours.”

Friend: “I know. It doesn’t taste right though.”

(Eventually his name was called and he picked up the drink he actually ordered. He continued to complain about Rach’s drink until he finished it, saying that, for a cappuccino, it didn’t taste right. I convinced him to leave a large tip in the jar on the front counter as we left, enough to cover the cost of Rach’s coffee. He didn’t understand why.)

(I’m a young girl browsing the toy section of a retail store. I’m looking for a particular set of popular figurines. After 15 minutes, I still can’t seem to find them, so I approach one of the workers.)

Me: “Hi, where are the [Figurines]?”

Employee: “Um…” *snickering* “Right behind you!”

(I turn around and find half the store is dedicated to these figures, and they’re literally on every shelf. There’s also a massive light up sign with the figurine logo.)

Me: “Um… um… thanks!”

(I still wonder today how on earth I could have possibly missed them… I’m a regular to that store, and that exact employee always gestures to the figures with a smirk!)

(The dance floors of this club are ringed with chairs and counters. I’m sitting out a couple of songs when I spot a bouncer whom I’m convinced has it in for me and is now staring at me. I shrug it off and look elsewhere. But seconds later, I feel him grab my shoulder. I turn to see what he wants and gently lift his hand off, but he grabs me again.)

Me: “Can I… help you?”

Bouncer: “Why are you sitting there?”

Me: “I was a bit tired, so I sat down for a while.”

Bouncer: “You need to go home.”

Me: “I’m not breaking any rules.”

Bouncer: “We can discuss this outside.”

Me: “Er… fine.”

(I follow him out.)

Bouncer: *to the doorman* “I caught him sleeping on the dance floor. He needs to go home.” *marches off*

Me: “What? No. I was just sitting down, because I was a bit tired.”

Doorman: “If you’re feeling tired, you need to go home.”

Me: “No, I mean… fatigued from dancing. I wasn’t sleeping; I don’t know why he got that impression. Look, I haven’t broken any rules and I’m not that drunk.”

Doorman: *considers* “All right. Go back in.”

(I go back in and order another drink (only my fourth) and sit down to drink it. The same bouncer comes my way.)

Bouncer: “I told you to go.”

Me: “The doorman let me back in.”

Bouncer: “But you’re sitting down again. If you’re tired you need to go home.”

Me: *gestures at 20 other people sitting round the dance floor* “Do you do this with everyone who sits down in here?”

(He went off to get another bouncer. By the time they got back, I’d finished my drink and got up to dance again, looking nicely energetic. I saw them next to where I was sitting with him gesturing my way and the other bouncer laughing at him.)