(I work in a care home for people with dementia. The female resident in this story has difficulty swallowing certain foods, and was put on a soft diet. This was decided by her doctor and a special team. One day during breakfast, her son walks in.)

Son: “Hey! Could you get my mum some toast?”
Me: “Sorry sir, but your mum’s been put on a soft diet -”
Son: “Rubbish. Give my mum some toast.”
Me: “I’m not allowed. She could choke on that.”
Son: “I still want my mum to have some toast.”
Me: “You want your mum to have toast even though she could choke on it?”
Son: “Yes.”

I was amazed by the fact he was so adamant about his mum eating something she could choke on. After talking to one of the senior staff, I brought her some bread and butter with the crusts cut off. I put it down in front of the lady and the son glared at me, but didn’t say anything.

The store I work at has a huge sale, the queue at my counter is so long it wraps around the back of our counter. A man walks up to the counter.

Man “I don’t have time to wait, serve me next”

Me “I’m sorry but these people don’t have time to wait either. I suppose you could ask them if you can go first. ”

The man looks at the first and opens his mouth to talk.

First, second and Third Customers ” NO”.

I was working as a temp in the customer service of on of the municipalities of Stockholm. Since I speak three languages I often get along well with customers who would rather speak English. This one couple would not stop complaining about absolutely everything we did to try and help with their child care situation. The last time I spoke to them it got ugly.
*said in Swedish* – Welcome to XX, this is *my name*.
– Do you speak English?
– Yes maam.
– I’ve got an invoice that’s not right.
– Could I have the invoice number please?
She tells me and I go through it with her. I know who she is, I recognize the childs name. I know that she will start screaming at me if I say anything else than what she wants to hear. As calmly and simply as I can, I explain to her that the invoice is correct because they have switched child care in the middle of a month and some other factors. I give her all the information she needs to appeal the invoice.
– But this can’t be right!
– Yes, the invoice is correct maam, but as I said you are welcome to appeal.
– I’m not going to pay!
– That is of course your choice, but I higly reccommend you to pay the invoice.
She starts arguing and shouting at me. I feel like a broken record telling her the same thing over and over. Finally, she says ok and we hang up. One minute later, her husband calls back.
– Why did you tell my wife the invoice is correct?!!
– Because it is, sir. But I also gave her all the information she needed to appeal.
– But why do you keep saying that it is correct, it is not!!! (yes, he is shouting now)
– Sir, if you would please calm down…
– Don’t call me sir. It’s offensive.

I have absolutely no idea why he says this. Probably just to try and put me down. But the absolute rudeness of it takes me by surprise. He then says he wants to speak to my boss, but refuses to let me take a message so she can call him back.

I ask him to hold and my co-worker takes over (break the chain of emotions, is a rule at that place). She actually has to tell him to -stop being rude or I’ll hang up.

The next time he called, he refused to speak to me and demanded to speak to my co-worker instead. Fine by me.

Working at Walmart in the electronics dept, a lady came in and wanted help. She wanted a set of walkie talkies to communicate with travelling companions, and asked my recommendation. I told her either would work, but had a longer range.

Customer: Okay, but will they work between vehicles?

Me: If they’re within range, then yes.

Customer: No, I mean, will they work if people are in different vehicles? Won’t being in another vehicle make them not work? (Continued explaining that visibility is necessary to make them work)

Me: *mental facepalm*

(I answer a phone call from a customer.)
Customer: So, I placed an order yesterday. But I noticed after I picked it up that the receipt was wrong. I called and spoke to Joseph, and he said that you would fax me the correct receipt. But I haven’t gotten a fax from you yet.
(My department only has three people, none of which are named Joseph.)
Me: We don’t have anyone named Joseph here… Do you possibly mean Justin?
Customer: Maybe. He said that you would fax me the receipt.
Me: Okay, let me get your information, and I will talk with a manager.
(I take down his information and hang up. I relay the story to the manager on duty.)
Manager: Do we even have a fax machine?