<em>(I work in a pretty popular crafting store. When we put things up on higher shelves in the aisles, we are supposed to put out barricades to keep people out of the aisles, to reduce the risk of something falling and hitting them. I’ve been using these barricades a lot lately, and I get some version of this conversation multiple times a day.)</em>

Customer: Excuse me, when can I get into this aisle? Should I come back later?

Me: Um, just a second! I have the barricades up because I’m moving things from the top shelf and don’t want anything to fall off and hit someone.

Customer: Oh great!

<em>(Most customers are good with this explanation, and usually ask me about the barricades before moving them. My favorites, though, are the ones that go differently:)</em>

1: A customer came out of the aisle where I had barricades, simply moving them out of her way. Granted, I wasn’t in the aisle at the time, but they’re blocked for a reason.

2. A customer completely ignored the barricade, plus the fact that I was in the aisle standing next to my ladder, and just walked in around it to look in the aisle.

<em>(In conclusion: “Do not enter” signs are there for a reason! Find somebody and ask for help or risk an employee’s annoyance.)<em>

My store is right across from guest services so when they are busy or give a customer an answer they don’t like, they constantly come to me as if I can change guest service’s answer.

Today, guest service was low on staff so they closed up this department and moved to the much busier floor downstairs.

A customer comes up to me really angry with her kid in tow.

Customer: THE F*CKING CLOWN REFUSES TO GIVE MY KID A BALLOON! (we have a clown walking around handing out balloons to all the children. He works for the guest service department and is not connected to my store at all).

Me: Oh, I’m sorry about that

Customer: IT RUINED OUR F*CKING DAY!

Me: Okay well if you just go downstairs-

Customer: NO! I AM SO SICK OF YOU PEOPLE! I WANT TO SPEAK TO A MANAGER! A F*CKING MANAGER! DO YOU HEAR ME?

Me: *getting annoyed* Yes, I speak English. Let me call someone.

As I am on the phone with my manager, trying to get guest services number, the customer continues to yell at me.

Me: Ma’am I am trying to help you but I cannot hear my manager when you’re yelling.

Customer: OH YOU DON’T LIKE ME YELLING HUH? DON’T WANT ME TO MAKE A SCENE HUH? DON’T WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW HOW INCAPABLE THE STAFF HERE ARE HUH?

Me: I am trying to help you, Ma’am!

Fortunately, I get a hold of a guest service rep and she comes upstairs to help the customer.

Customer: Finally some competent help!

She got 6 balloons and 6 free small lollipops from my store for her troubles. I also got a guest complaint for ‘not having balloons’ which my manager found hilarious but really upset me because it went on my file, since she sent it through the customer service email line, and I couldn’t have given her a balloon even if I wanted to.

I’m the customer in this story, just not one with an issue. I am buying a piece of clothing from a shop.
Salesperson: Do you want a bag with your purchase?
Me: Yes please.
Salesperson (visibly wincing and looking apprehensive) : That will be an extra 10 cents, is that ok?
Me: Ummmm, yeah?

Me: Wait!! Do people often have a problem with paying ten cents for a bag?!
Salesperson (laughing): Oh hell yes!! We often get abused when we tell them the cost of a bag, and a lot of customers will often storm out holding all their purchased clothes over their arms, rather than paying for a bag!
Me: I know just the website for this!!

I am working retail scanning a customers items. I also wear a scarf on my head.

Customer: I love your scarf! It’s such a nice green.

Me: Thank you! It’s my favourite colour.

Customer: Me too! I’m trying to buy some more colours. All I have are cool colours like black or blue. I need some warm colours like green.

Me: Um…isn’t green a cool colour?

Customer: Yeah, it is pretty cool! All the teenagers are wearing it, with the camouflage prints and all.

I work in a grocery store that has self-checkouts. They have to be manned by two people, in case something goes wrong; for instance, customer stupidity. One of my coworkers is somewhat disabled, he was born with a clubfoot and although he can walk, he can’t walk very quickly. He was paired up that day with another coworker who is an older woman, but hardly ancient. A female customer came up and was failing to do something (I forget what, I’m too appalled by her behavior to remember), and when coworker #1 went to assist her, she called him a stupid cripple. Coworker #2 went to try and help, and this woman told her she was too old to know how to do anything. It was that day I truly understood the expression, I. Can’t. Even.