I work at a hospital, but this is not a medical story.

One of the nurses from a different part of the hospital is VERY chatty. Since we work in different departments, we don’t see each other much unless we happen to cross paths in the hallway. Since we’re both going about our own busy jobs, those interactions tend to be very short, and usually go something like this.

Nurse: “Hey, [My Name], good to see you! I’m just working on [task], but anyway, how are you?”

Me: *Already basically behind her, continuing to walk past.* “I’m well, [Nurse], and you?”

Normally, this is where the ‘conversation’ ends, because we’ve moved too far apart in opposite directions to continue chatting. But one day…

After the usual conversation, the nurse suddenly shouts out loud behind me:

Nurse: “[MY NAME], DO YOU EVEN CARE ABOUT ME?!”

I pause and slowly turn around.

Me: “I’m… sorry?”

Nurse: “I ask you how you’re doing every day, and you never ask me! I thought we were friends, but I guess not!”

Me: “I have extremely time-sensitive tasks to get done, so I don’t have time to chit-chat in the hallway. I’m sorry you feel that way, but I have to keep moving.”

Nurse: “Fine! Whatever! See you around, I guess!”

With that, she stomps off, and I continue going about my job.

My manager asked me about it later, because the nurse apparently tried to claim that I was creating a hostile work environment. Fortunately, my manager understood that I didn’t have time for anything more than a polite passing greeting and promised to back me up if the nurse ever tried anything else. 

The nurse hasn’t tried talking to me since then. Instead, she makes a big show of turning away and ignoring me when we pass each other. No skin off my back.

We had a couple of teenagers who pulled a dine and dash one night. The server talks to the manager, and the manager goes outside to look, but can’t see them. The manager comes back in, and a nearby table flags him down.

Guest: “Did they not pay?”

Manager: “No.”

Guest: “I know his mother. Let me call her.”

The guest calls the mom and tells her what happened.

Guest: “You’d better get your kid to come back and pay before they call the cops.”

The kid comes back and pays, face redder than the lobster he ate. The guest who saved the day got a free drink and dessert.

Coworker: “Hey, [Boss], [Famous Singer] is my favorite, and she’s got a concert in town in six months. I’m booking that night off.”

Boss: “Hmm, well that’s a Saturday night, so I can’t make any promises.”

Coworker: “I understand. Just keep in mind that if you can’t give me the day off, I’m going to be sick that day.”

Boss: “That’s not very professional.”

Coworker: “All I do is fry the fries for minimum wage, and you can’t make sure someone else can do that one Saturday night six months from now, and I’m the unprofessional one?”

Boss: “I’ll… see what I can do.”

[Boss] ended up granting the time off to [Coworker], but made it seem like they were doing them a HUGE favor in doing so. [Boss] laid it on so thick for so long that [Coworker] ended up quitting before the concert anyway. 

[Boss] seemed genuinely surprised this happened, and I had to keep reminding him that we’re minimum-wage teenagers who don’t want to be here (and will quit with the slightest push) but you’re here acting like we’re all dedicated lawyers in a high-end firm all fighting to make partner.

Related:
Minimum Wage, Minimum Effort, Part 9
Minimum Wage, Minimum Effort, Part 8
Minimum Wage, Minimum Effort, Part 7
Minimum Wage, Minimum Effort, Part 6
Minimum Wage, Minimum Effort, Part 5

I call one of the rooms after getting a very detailed noise complaint.

Me: “Hello, sir, this is [My Name] from the front desk. Your neighboring room has called to say that your conversation is too loud and you need to talk more quietly.”

Guest: “We’re talking at a totally normal volume!”

Me: “Yes, sir, but your neighbor has informed me that what you consider a normal volume is loud enough for him to know all about your colonoscopy that you had today, what the doctor found, and numerous other pieces of information that I am sure constitute HIPAA violations, were they not spoken at a volume loud enough to pass through our not exactly thin walls.”

Guest: “…”

Me: “Sir?”

Guest: “…We’ll keep it down.” *Click.*

I answer the customer line:

Caller: “This is ridiculous! I ordered three pizzas from you, and all of them are wrong!”

I double-check the caller ID, as I am confused.

Me: “This is [Customer Name], at [Street Name]?”

Caller: “Yes!”

Me: “Your order hasn’t even left the store yet. I am physically staring at it right now while on the phone with you.”

Caller: “What?! But I’m looking at your pizzas right now, too!”

Me: “They were delivered just now?”

Caller: “Just a few minutes ago!”

Me: “Is our store logo on the box?”

Pause.

Caller: “Uh… no, actually. It’s [Other Brand].”

Me: “Did you order pizzas from them?”

Caller: “No, just you guys.”

Me: “Well… I can’t speak for those pizzas, but the ones you actually did order from us are correct, and about to leave the store.”

Caller: “Why do I have these pizzas?”

Me: “I can only assume that [Other Brand] gave them to you by mistake, and by pure coincidence, you were also waiting for three pizzas so had no reason to refuse them.”

Caller: “I… don’t know what to do.”

Me: “Enjoy all six pizzas?”

Caller: “That’s too much pizza! This evening is ruined!” *Click.*

I don’t know how I’d describe getting a surprise pizza doubling, but ‘ruined’ is not the word!