(I work for a major cell phone retailer as their national sales support; basically, I am a care agent for the store reps. For this particular call from a store, I was assisting the rep in fixing a customer’s bill because it was sitting at about $2,000 which is much higher than it should have been.)

Me: “All right, so I can see that the bill is looking much better now. I’ve got those activation fees waived, the access charges adjusted, and the accelerated charges are being adjusted right now. Okay?”

Store Rep: “Thank you so much. You are the best. I would hug you if you were a real person! I mean, wait… You are a real person, but you know…”

Me: *whilst laughing uncontrollably* “I know exactly what you mean. No worries. You just meant if I was there in person, since you can’t hug me through the phone.”

Store Rep: *laughing* “Exactly, you know what I mean. It would look pretty weird if I hugged the phone in the store.”

Me: “Well, everything is taken care of here now. The customer’s bill is now [amount much lower] and we have all incorrect charges adjusted. Is there anything else I can help you with today?”

Store Rep: “No, that is everything. You are the greatest. Thank you so much!”

Me: “Thank you for calling and have a great rest of your shift!”

(That call had me smiling for the rest of the day. To that store rep, you really helped me smile bright after the terrible week I had been having!)

(I am an administrative assistant and receptionist at a small office. I have sent an email to the owner of the company for him to approve. After about a half an hour, he walks through the lobby from his office.)

Owner: “Hey, did you just send me an email?”

Me: “Yes.”

Owner: “Was I supposed to look at it?”

Me: “Uh… yes.”

(He wandered off and I cracked up. I did eventually get an answer.)

(I work at a call centre in Northern Ireland. It’s almost my lunch break. If a coworker is buying something, they usually ask if a colleague needs something. I’m speaking to a customer 400 miles away in England, across the Irish Sea.)

Me: “I’m running a test, but it’s going to take a while. Is it okay if I call you back after my lunch break?”

Customer: “Yes, that’s fine.”

Me: “I’m going to [Supermarket]. Do you need anything?”

Customer: *deadpan* “No, I’m all right.”

Me: “Thank you, speak later. Bye!”

Customer: “Bye!”

(It’s about eight years ago and I am Celiac, which is almost unheard of. There are few foods that never have gluten, and many that may have it, so I never bother to ask when I eat in restaurants and just assume I can’t eat it. I have just finished a steak with a salad.)

Dad: “Are you sure you don’t want any dessert? The ice cream should be gluten-free, and also the meringue cake.”

Me: “It’s too cold for the ice cream, and the meringue may get contaminated in the kitchen. I’m fine.”

Dad: “Nonsense! I’ll just ask a waiter if the cake is gluten-free.” *calls a waiter* “Excuse me, do you know if the meringue contains any gluten?”

Waiter: *without missing a beat* “I don’t know, sir, but I can ask the kitchen if they can add it for you.”

Dad: *struggling to keep a straight face* “Uh, thanks.”

(The poor overworked waiter heard an ingredient that he didn’t know and offered to add it just for us! Now, every time I ask if something is gluten-free, my father offers to add it for me.)

This story is part of our Celiac Awareness Day roundup!

Read the next Celiac Awareness Day roundup story!

Read the Celiac Awareness Day roundup!

(I’ve designed some adverts and flyers for my new boss. This is our email conversation:)

Boss: “[My Name], I haven’t had that new flyer design. Please send it over.”

Me: “I sent it over Tuesday. Can you check your junk mail?”

Boss: “Yes, it’s gone to junk mail. Send it again.”

Me: “You can just ‘accept’ it out of junk mail. Then your system will know it’s fine to accept e-mails from me.”

Boss: “No, you’re using the wrong email address. Use [his email address].”

Me: “Yes, I’m sending it to that address, and it’s going into your junk mail. You have to confirm that it’s safe, and then it’ll go into your normal inbox.”

Boss: “You’ve got that wrong. You have to use my correct e-mail address, [his email address again].”

Me: “Yes, that’s the address I’m using. I’ll send it again if you like.”

Boss: “Okay, but stop sending it to my junk mail!”

Me: *head desk*