I work in the ladieswear department of a large store that has changing rooms for specific genders, although we make occasions for small children under the age of ten. There is a sign outside and on each door of the fitting rooms that it is one person per cubicle.

I’m working on the fitting rooms with a coworker who has just let a mother and son into the rooms, and I show them to an empty one. They have children’s clothes for the boy.

Me: “Feel free to sit just outside the room, ma’am.”

Mother: “What?! He’s only seven! I can’t leave him alone!”

Me: “I’m sorry, ma—”

Mother: “Well, you know what? All the other shops allowed me in with him. I’m not shopping here anymore and I want to talk to your manager now!“

Me: “Ma’am, there’s no reason to cause a situation; there’s a double room available at the mo—”

Mother: “No! I am so angry right now!”

She storms out to the front where my coworker is and badgers her until we call a manager over. The little boy is standing with me with a red face.

Mother: “[Boy], get over here! We’re leaving right now!”

The little boy then moved to his mother, starting to cry, when my manager came along and pulled her to the side. A few minutes later, my coworker and I heard her screaming and shouting and watched her being removed from the store by a security guard, gingerly followed by the little boy.

My manager came back a little while later with a rather red cheek and she gave me and my coworker the rest of the day off. Apparently, this woman was well known for bringing the child in and stealing the most expensive children’s clothes we have in store, but we never were able to catch her in the act.

Related:
The Biggest Tantrums Do Not Come From The Babies

When I work customer service at a computer store.

Customer: “Hi. I bought this processor the other day and I would like to return it as it is faulty.”

Me: “No problem. Do you have the chip with you?”

The customer hands over the processor and I unbox it to take a look.

Me: “Ah, I see. Yep, that’s no problem. There’s a pin missing.”

Customer: “Yes. I cut that off because it wouldn’t fit.”

A woman has come in wanting something to ward off the creepy crawlies on her dog. We talk about what kind of creepy crawlies they are, and it transpires they are mites.

Me: “It definitely sounds like mites. This particular substance should help against them.” 

Customer: “I just see them flying and buzzing around my dog all the time.”

Me: “Mites don’t fly. They’re too heavy to fly, and they don’t have wings. Are you sure these aren’t fleas?”

Customer: “No, it’s mites. They definitely do fly around my dog.”

Me: “As I just explained, mites can’t fly.”

Customer: “Well, it’s just the forest life, isn’t it?”

Sadly, explaining to the customer that physics doesn’t work like that would’ve been considered somewhat rude.

I work for a well-known supermarket delivering groceries to customers at home. I should note that it is company policy that delivery drivers do not accept tips, but often customers more or less force it into your hand. In this instance, I have been given a re-drop — essentially a delivery that was unsuccessful the previous day usually because the driver couldn’t be bothered. I have been warned that the customer is very rude.

It has been scheduled for three pm this day and, after noting the address, which is one I am familiar with, I decide to call the customer to confirm which floor of the building he is on.

Me: “Hi, is that [Customer].”

Customer: “Yes, it certainly is.”

Me: “Hi, it’s [My Name] calling from [Supermarket] Home Delivery. I’ve got your delivery here and I’m just about to leave…”

Customer: “Ah, yes, are you aiming to deliver for about three pm?”

Me: “Yes, I am. Is that okay?”

Customer: “I’m sorry to ask this, but is there any chance I could get it a little later? I’m trying to get home but I’m stuck in traffic at the minute.”

Me: “No problem at all. I’m working until six today so I can get it out to you anytime really up until five pm; just let me know what works for you.”

Customer: “If you could do it at around 4:30, that would be great.”

Me: “No problem, mate. Now, while I have you, you live at [Address]; is that correct?”

Customer: “It is.”

Me: “If I remember correctly, that’s the one where I need to enter via the underground car park. I just wanted to confirm which floor your flat is on.”

Customer: “That’s exactly right. I’m on the sixth floor. Just give me a ring before you leave and I’ll let you know if I’m in or not.”

I’m a little surprised that this customer is apparently “so rude” when he seemed very friendly on the phone. I get his delivery to his building almost dead on at 4:30 pm and buzz his flat. He comes down and leads me up in the lift. We confirm that all the shopping was delivered. He is even very understanding about substitutes and items unavailable. He is incredibly friendly. I get his signature for delivery and he hands me £5.

Customer: “Thank you so much for getting this to me. Please have a nice day. Could you let me know how I can avoid problems like this next time?”

So, we talked for a few minutes about what went wrong with his last delivery, and it appears the original driver ignored his directions on how to reach the underground car park, got angry, and drove off, even though the customer was outside waving at him and trying to direct him. I apologized for this. He asked that no one lose their job, just that he could get a different driver next time.

I would later speak to the original driver, who insisted the customer was “very rude.” Well, his loss and my gain of £5!

I am working on the checkout and a customer approaches with a pre-packed bag of apples.

Customer: “Do you operate a try-before-you-buy policy in this store?”

Me: *Thinking he’s joking* “Sorry, sir, we don’t.”

Customer: “I don’t want them, then.”

He leaves the apples on the conveyor belt and walks out.

Me: “…”

Related:
Doesn’t End Up Liking Them Apples