(I attend a very prestigious school — not Ivy League, though it outranked two of them — and walk over to the pharmacy kitty-corner from my dorm to buy some cigars. I am 19 then, and a Texas native. Under-21 licenses in Texas, which list “Under 21 until [DATE],” are rotated 90° compared with the 21+ licenses, to make age verification for alcohol purchases easier.)

Me: “Just a pack of [Cigars].”

Cashier: “Can I see your ID?”

Me: “Sure.” *hands it over*

Cashier: *raises an eyebrow* “This is out-of-state.”

Me: “Yeah, I’m from Texas.”

Cashier: *sighs, pulls out a book from beneath the counter with examples of IDs from each state*

Cashier: “Your ID is oriented the wrong way.”

Me: “Oh, yeah, they do that until age 21.”

Cashier: “I dunno; the book doesn’t mention that.”

Me: “The book probably only shows examples of 21+, for alcohol purchases. You can see mine says ‘Under 21 until [My 21st Birthday].’ But I’m just buying tobacco; I’m over 18.”

Cashier: “I’m gonna have to get my manager; I think this is a fake.”

Me: “Listen, ma’am. I attend [University], and I’ve been on the Dean’s List every semester. I’m a National Merit Scholar. I got a 2320 on my SATs, and graduated from my high school with a 91/100 GPA. It’s safe to say I’m a fairly smart guy. Do you honestly think I would be here, not only showing you a fake ID, but one that explicitly states that I’m not even 21?”

(I got the cigars.)

(I am answering the phone at the college I work at.)

Me: “Hello, this is [College]. How can I direct your call?”

Scammer: *in a very thick Indian accent* “Yes, this is Peter, and I am calling from Microsoft, and we have detected a hacker has gotten into your computer and is trying to steal all of your information. Is your computer on right now?”

Me: *knowing this is a scam* “Yes, it is.”

Scammer: “Okay, I am going to get into your computer to remove the hacker.”

Me: “Which computer?”

Scammer: “The hacker is in your computer, ma’am.”

Me: “You know you called a college, right? There are literally hundreds of computers you could be referring to right now.”

Scammer: “Oh, I called a college? You know what? I think I have the wrong…” *click*

(I am in a well-known fast food restaurant on my way home.)

Me: “Hi, can I have a three-piece chicken select meal, medium, to go, with a [Soda]?

(I have quite a precise accent and I’m pretty sure I’ve spoken clearly.)

Cashier: “Was that three piece or five piece?”

Me: “Three piece.”

Cashier: “Large?”

Me: “No, thank you.”

Cashier: “What drink?”

Me: “[Soda]…”

Cashier: “Eat in or take away?”

Me: “Take away, please.”

(After patiently repeating myself, I get my food. When I get on the train and open it, I realise he’s given me a five piece meal.)

(At a fair, my company is handing out free samples of our food product. We have to cook some sausage on a fryer and cut it up, then offer it to passersby. A young man in his 20s wearing an impeccable tuxedo approaches.)

Me: “Hello, would you like a free sample?”

Man: *grabs one* “…” *stuffs into mouth, and walks off*

(A little later, I sense someone behind me, so I turn.)

Me: “Hello, would you like—”

(It’s the same man again! Before I can recover, he grabs another one, stuffs it in his mouth, and walks off.)

Coworker: “Yeah, it’s okay if people want more. Just make some more. We have it.”

(So I make some more and a few hours later, the fair is winding down. Only a few passersby remain. And the same man approaches!)

Me: “Hell–”

(I stopped myself and he stared at me mischievously. Then, snake fast, he grabbed the remaining samples and stuffed them in his mouth, and walked off! Later, I learned that he was working for another company, our competition! What a strange guy. All he had to do was ask.)

(I work at a retail store. My coworker has had to take time off due to her grandmother passing away. This happens after she comes back and is still in tears.)

Manager: *concerned* “Hey, why are you crying?”

Coworker: “My grandmother died. She wasn’t even that sick or anything. Her wound from a broken leg turned septic. It wasn’t detected in time. I barely had any time with her before she died! She was supposed to come back for Christmas this year. It’s been five years since she could do that because she lived in Kansas. It’s just so unfair!”

Manager: “Life’s unfair. Get used to it.”