(In a small town I live in, I have a shed in my garden, which I use as a sort of studio for drawing and writing. I recently notice food and supplies going missing. I assume it’s just my memory or some pranks by friends, until one day, the door opens while I’m working in there.)

Woman: “You! Who are you? What are you doing in our staff room? Are you new?”

Me: “Uh…”

Woman: “Out! Out! It’s not a break time yet! I have a phone call to make and I need my coffee. I can’t concentrate with you in here!”

Me: *losing my temper* “Hey! This is my study! Get out!”

Woman: “This is our staff room! I’m calling the police.”

(It turned out the woman was the manager of a shop that backed onto my garden, and had been using my study as an office and staff room for some time now. The rest of her staff had tried to convince her it wasn’t hers, but she wouldn’t listen. Despite everything, she kept calling the police every time I was in there, and when I fitted a lock, too. Eventually I moved out.)

CONTENT WARNING: This story contains content of a medical nature. It is not intended as medical advice.

(It’s summer at the theater, and we’ve easily got over a hundred people in line for concessions at any point during seating. Fortunately, we’ve got about an hour between rushes to clean and restock, so it’s less stressful than it sounds. However…)

Coworker: *looks up from sweeping behind the stand* “Hey, [My Name], how long’s that woman been in the lobby?”

Me: *looks up from restocking candy to see an older woman walking around and looking at our trailers, frowning a little* “Not sure. Maybe she came in from the mall and is just looking around. I’ll ask.”

(I come out from behind the counter, and the woman doesn’t notice me right away.)

Me: “Pardon me, ma’am. Is there something I can help you with?”

Woman: “Oh! Don’t mind me, I’m here for the next showing of [Film that’s decades old]. How much longer is it?”

Me: “Please have a seat while I go check the box office.” *I flag my coworker who comes to help seat her, then I quickly run over to the box office* “Did we have a visit from [Retirement Community] scheduled?”

Cashier: “No, why?”

Me: “Call the manager. We may have a problem.” *I return to the lobby* “Ma’am, I’m sorry, we’re not showing that movie. Is there someone you can call?”

Woman: “Oh, yes, my daughter dropped me off. Her cell number is [rattles off over fifteen digits]. Thank you.” *I exchange glances with my coworker, who pulls out a notepad*

Coworker: “I’m sorry, you caught us a little unprepared. What was that number again?”

Woman: “Oh, I don’t mind, you’re such sweeties.” *rattles off a different set of numbers*

Me: “Thanks, ma’am, we’ll put in a call. Just a moment.”

(My coworker and I step aside as the manager approaches. The woman watches the trailers again.)

Manager: *once caught up* “So?”

Coworker: “I’m only a few months into pre-med, but this sounds bad.”

Manager: “Not our problem. See if you can get her out of here.”

Coworker: *appalled* “Sir, this could be a stroke. We should call her an ambulance.”

Manager: “And if it’s not, we get charged for a fake call! No, get her out of here on your own.”

Me: “Bill me.” *calls 911*

(My manager drew me up disciplinary measures while my coworker assisted the woman. I described the situation before handing the phone over to my coworker, who started taking instructions from their on-call nurse. After a few minutes, the ambulance arrived and checked her in, all before the new rush. While I wasn’t fired for this action, it did prevent my promotion to manager, while the manager responsible got transferred. The woman’s daughter eventually showed up to reassure us she was fine and getting treatment.)

(About a year ago I worked a seasonal job at a clothing store that I loved. Unfortunately they couldn’t afford to hire any of the seasonal employees, so I and the others were all let go. Six months later I’m still jobless and am handing out resumes every day, and recently submitted one to the clothing store. I then get a phone call from my former manager.)

Manager: “Hi, [My Name], how are you doing? I was wondering if you’d be able to come in today?”

Me: *flabbergasted* “Oh yeah, sure! I can come in. When do you need me?”

Manager: “ASAP, thanks. Seeya there!”

Me: “Is this for—” *realizes she hung up*

(Not knowing if they are getting me to work immediately or doing another interview I shower, shave, and quickly iron my clothes. Excited because I haven’t worked in months, I’m just about to leave the house when I get another call.)

Manager: “Hi… [My Name]. I just wanted you to know we made a mistake. We were actually trying to call the other [My Name] who works here. I’m just calling to let you know not to come in.”

(Enraged, I politely hung up the phone and then dropped it. Does HR not use last names at that store? Anyway, about two months later the chain was hit by layoffs and most of the management was let go.)

(After work one day I notice I have a flat. I can’t find any objects in it so I decide to take it to an auto shop to have them check it out as well as get a new tire.)

Tech: *after glancing at the flat* “Okay, so one new tire…” *goes around and quickly glances at my other tires* Yeah. Your alignment is off. We can’t fix that here, but that’s what killed your tire. And you’re about to lose your other tire, too. See?” *points to where the rubber meets the concrete* “So we’ll go again and replace that today, too.”

Me: “Wait, what? Why would I replace that tire? The pressure in it is fine; I checked them all once I noticed the other was flat. And the tread is practically new. If it really is the alignment, won’t that just tear the new one up, too?”

Tech: *suddenly looks like someone literally stuck their foot in this mouth* “Um… so… just the one?”

Me: “Yeah. Just the one.”

(I took my car to another store and they said the alignment was fine. Still have no idea what popped that tire.)

(My sister-in-law has announced that they have decided to move house miles away from her work and family. We are surprised as she doesn’t drive nor have any inclination to learn. The next day, knowing that my wife is looking, she starts going on about a job.)

Sister-In-Law: “You will love it; it is only around the corner.”

Wife: “But I’ve never worked in travel before. I doubt I would get the job.”

Sister-In-Law: “Give it a try. I know someone who works there.”

(Reluctantly my wife goes to the interview and aces it. They offer her the job a few days later , but the working hours would make it impossible with the children. We see her sister a while later.)

Sister-In-Law: “I heard from [Friend] they really liked you.”

Wife: “Yeah, but they wanted me to different days every week; I could do it with the kids.”

Sister-In-Law: “You should! Don’t you want to earn some money?”

Wife: “Well, yes, but the cost of childcare—”

Sister-In-Law: *interrupting* “I’m surprised at you; I thought you wanted a job. [Friend] is going to be disappointed.”

Me: “Well, yes, but working random days would mean paying for a full week of childcare, it would cost nearly as much as what they are paying.”

Sister-In-Law: *in a hump* “Well I can’t help that!”

(We found it very odd that she was suddenly so pushy, until we learnt that she had already talked to the company about getting herself a job there, and expected me to drive her around for free! She was more concerned about her getting free lifts than her niece’s life at home.)