I am a sales representative at a popular electronics store. An old couple approaches my department and brings their items to my desk to check out. I am not a checkout, as I work in the mobile phone department. I take their items and notice some vinyls from some popular artists.

Me: “I love this album!”

Old Man: “Yeah, nothing sounds as good as records. I don’t understand people these days paying for music.” *Referring to streaming sites*

Me: “I agree that the sound is amazing, but I think people pay for music for the accessibility. I personally use [Streaming Service], and for $10 a month, I can listen to just about anything, anywhere.”

Old Man: *Not liking my response* “Ugh, well, what about Netflix? There have been millions of movies made, and I see the same d*** things on Netflix all the time!”

Me: “I wish Netflix could show all the movies ever made; that would be amazing. I just don’t think they could afford it.”

I also explain the algorithm, how they show things you’d like based on what you’ve watched. Part of me wants to ask if he’s looking at his “recently watched” list, but I feel it would be condescending.

Old Man: “I’ll just never understand!”

Or you don’t want to?

My family is visiting Florida. We stop at a kiosk to pick up a free map.

Salesman: “Are you interested in going to [Big Theme Park]? We can get you some very cheap tickets if you attend a timeshare presentation.”

Me: “Sorry, we have a four-year-old. She’d never sit still for that long.”

Salesman: “Oh, you could leave her in the video game room!”

Yeah, I’m going to leave my toddler with a bunch of strangers to play video games.

I’m in line at the post office:

Woman: *To the man at the counter* “Aren’t you guys supposed to wear badges?”

Counterman & Me: *And almost every man in line* “Badges? BADGES? We don’t need no stinking badges!”

We sell and rent formalwear for men, like tuxedos.

Customer: *Over the phone* “What time do you close today?”

Me: “It’s a Sunday, so we close early. What time are you thinking of coming in?”

Customer: “I was going for like nine?”

Me: “Ma’am, that’s very late.”

Customer: “Why?”

Me: “We’ll be closed before then.”

Customer: “Can I just order over the phone and you can have stuff out for me before I get in, then? I am on a schedule.”

Me: “Ma’am, we can’t do that.”

Customer: “But you have to! I don’t know if you know this, but I’m the groom’s step-mom and I have to look nice!”

Me: “Do you need a dress?”

Customer: “Yes! What do you think I’m calling here for?!”

Me: “Ma’am, this is [Formalwear Store]. We don’t sell dresses.”

Customer: *Silence* “Then why the f*** did you call me?!” *Hangs up*

I’m trying to get a prescription delivered to my house, but the app keeps rejecting my payment. I realize (shamefully) that I have nearly maxed out my credit card and that is why it won’t go through. When I try to switch to my debit card, the app rejects it again. This time, I know it is the app’s issue, because I checked my account and saw that I had more than enough money.

I make a payment on my credit card but I know it will take a few days to post, so I go to the pharmacy with my debit card.

Cashier: “Name and date of birth?”

I give my info.

Cashier: “Okay, we have two prescriptions ready for a total of [over $100]. We have a card ending in [four digits] on file. Do you want to use that?”

I know it’s my maxed-out credit card.

Me: “No, not that one. I’d like to use this one, instead.”

I hold out my bank card.

Cashier: “Okay.”

She hits a few buttons on the register and hands me a receipt.

Cashier: “You’re all set!”

Me: “You didn’t charge me.”

Cashier: “Yeah, I used the card on file, like you said.”

Me: “I said I want to use this one.”

Cashier: “Well, it’s already done.”

She hands over my medicine.

Cashier: “Have a nice day!”

I’ve worked retail for many, many years, so I try to remain calm, but now I’m going to have an extra fee for using my credit card, on top of having to pay it off.

Me: “I told you to use this card.”

Cashier: “You have one on file.”

Me: “Just… please get your manager. We need to reverse this.”

Cashier: *Sigh* “You paid. You got your drugs. Please leave.”

Me: *Louder* “Get your manager now.”

A manager comes over.

Manager: “What’s the commotion?”

Cashier: “She’s trying to get her money back.”

I explain what really happened.

Manager: *Sigh* “Okay. [Cashier], take your fifteen.”

Cashier: “But she—”

Manager: “Go.”

The manager sorted everything out, helped me take my credit card off the app, and then offered to talk to my bank if I would call them. Thankfully, the bank teller was understanding and cancelled the overdraft charge. I’ve been back to the pharmacy several times and that cashier still glares at me.