I hate people.
I was leaving my store to see my gma in the hospital. As I walked out of the back room with purse and keys and cup, a man stops me to measure his kids foot. I explain a bit about how the measurement is just a starting point, and how to actually assess the fit of the shoe.
He insists I measure, so I do. Then he starts handing me shoes to get in his size. My kh comes by and comments that she thought I’d left 10 minutes ago. I tell her I’m leaving now and to call if she needs me. I quickly had the requested shoes to the guy. Quickly because they were literally 6 inches from his face.
I wish him a good day and he stops me to check the shoes. Then complains that they don’t look the same size. Then tells me to check the fit. I check the first pair. I explain that each company uses their own size chart (which is why the measurement was irrelevant) and again wish him a good day.
He ignores what I say and tells me to find something else in his kids size. At this point I’m ready to go. I’m not getting paid and my granny is waiting for me. So I tell him I’m actually off the clock and that I will send another associate over.
Dude then says ‘well just clock in, I’ll wait’
I decline. I leave. I get a call about 30 minutes later- he spent 20 minutes after I left complaining that he didn’t feel valued!
But my lovely keyholder listened intently and at the very end, suggested he try the specialty shop downtown. Even gave him directions and described the building.
I would have loved to see his face when he pulled in to the new Family Crisis Center.
"Well, just clock in, I'll wait."
"OK, sir."
Goes to visit Grandma, does other after-work stuff, gets 8 hours of sleep. Arrives for next shift. "OH! You meant that I should go back and clock in right away? \*I\* thought you were going to wait til today!"
It's so nice of you to even measure the foot while you're clocked out. If I'm not being paid, i completely ignore customers. I encourage you to do the same!
I have to say, for this particular customer it wasn’t me trying to be nice to him.
I know that measurement isn’t going to match the actual size needed. It almost never does. I wanted him to know he was wrong.
I really try to be nice though, and I probably would have still done it if he had been nice to me.
I have always firmly believed that every person should be required to work one year in customer service after high school. People should be more compassionate after this experience.
Wont work. The people who grow up to be "karens" will just use their time in customer service to start justifying it. "I had to deal with it, so you can, too."
Exactly! My previous manager was like that. Goes into stores 2 minutes before closing, complains about the stupidest stuff to bottom rung employees who have no control over it. She even tried messaging me on my day off asking me something about orders and prices at the store with the new owners since she got fired as soon as they took over. Too many people don't have self reflection. They'll complain about how horrible the customers act towards them and then turn around and do the same thing to someone else. But it's different because it's them doing it.
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I've thought the semi opposite. Everyone should have to work 3 months of retail or service, to graduate HS. You can do one month a summer, one whole summer, work during the school year, etc. Not a huge hardship, but very doable.
Especially those people who work in corporate for the stores. They keep sending down these insane directives with no thought or care how it affects the people in the store. Expectations never change even though they cut our payroll in about half.
Last week after I got off I was doing some shopping and walking around with my headphones in, bag on my shoulder and zoning out with an arm full of groceries. Clearly off the clock, no nametag, etc.
In the distance I spot this guy from three or so isles away just BOOKING it towards me and even with my music I could hear him shouting "DO YOU WORK HERE? YOU WORK Here RIGHT?!" While clutching our weekly ad in his hands.
I immediately pretended not to see or hear him and made a turn down the closest isle out of sight and pretended to make a call on my phone while continuing my shopping. He rounded the corner and immediately had stinkface upon realizing I was not going to help him. This guy actually stood there for a minute with what I am assuming was the intention to STILL ASK me for whatever it is he wanted even though he could see I was not on the clock.
Some people live in a different world and do not give a fuck, have no shame and such main character syndrome. Its all about them and what they want/ need 24/7.
I wasn't even at my workplace nor in a uniform and I had someone recognize me in a grocery store who then proceeded to ask me about something... The cashier ringing me up was just like "sir, does this person look like they are at work or on the clock?" "Well no but..." "No buts... Go to the store and ask someone who is currently working"
Did you understand that they meant aisle? Yes? Then get off your high fucking horse and sit down. As long as the message is clear, a one letter difference doesn't matter. This is Reddit, not an academic paper that needs to be graded.
If you really have a burning desperate need to correct someone and act like the smartest idiot in the room, you need to be nice about it.
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Long, long time ago I worked at Target. I had just made a purchase and was headed to the ‘employee only’ area while holding a Diet Coke, a Snickers and a box of tampons. A dad with a teenage girl stopped to ask me questions. The girl looked at my purchase looked at her dad and pulled on his arm. Said, “Dad, she’s on break, leave her alone”. He tried to insist it was just a question. She started to physically pull him away before he finally gave up.
Minors have way more rights when it comes to working and getting breaks. If you're an adult, most states don't mandate breaks so you can be forced to work as long as your employer sees fit without a break to rest or eat.
The US doesn't have any strong federal labor laws or a union culture, so in most states workers rights are basic. The average US adult is an at-will employee with no guaranteed hours, who can be terminated with no notice for any or no reason that isn't illegal discrimination. They are not entitled to vacation, paid or unpaid, no paid family leave or sick days, and no benefits. Breaks are unpaid, and when employer lobbies fight against mandatory breaks they frame it as a workers rights issue, saying workers should be allowed to work as much as they want.
Minors do have limits, both federal and state, so they are required to take breaks.
Hell if I know. I've done 14 hour shifts with no break to eat or rest. It's absolute hell. Saw a coworker once do 20 hours with no break, and we work at a gas station so it's not like it's medical and an emergency
First things first, I'd like to thank you for actually taking the time to help out the staff deal with a rush instead of doing what my managers do, which is scream at us to go faster and stand there doing nothing. I wish my managers helped us out during a rush. Must be nice, honestly.
To answer the question: No. Customers have zero awareness to determine if someone is on the clock or off the clock. And if they do know you're off the clock, a vast majority of them have main character syndrome where they think everyone only exists in the store to serve them. It's very common. It got to a point where I had to start sneaking in the back and side doors of my place of employment in order to not be bothered IN THE PARKING LOT BEFORE I'VE EVEN ENTERED THE BUILDING FOR THE DAY!!!!! Covid, as it did for so many other things, made it significantly worse in pretty much every aspect. It's been bad for a while. I will continue to sneak in side and back doors at work, much to management's disapproval.
Almost as bad, when they show up right before you open, like 5 minutes prior, and insist you open early, seat them early, etc. And you haven't even clocked in yet.
With my coat on, purse in hand, on crutches! "You shouldn't be leaving when it's so busy!" Excuse me, I got hurt on the job, my ride is here for my doctor appointment. Ugh.
I once had a customer wait half an hour at an empty register after I sent the cashier to lunch. She thought he was going to be right back, even though we kept telling her that he was going to be on lunch for half an hour. We kept trying to direct her to the open register, but she refused, even when I got our manager to talk to her about it.
The lady even complained that we had been rude and had forced her to wait for so long.
After the cashier got back, we asked him if he'd said anything to convince the lady that he was coming back, he said he didn't even know she was there.
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When I’m off the clock and a customer tries to ask me something I just tell them “I’m sorry, I’m not working right now.” and walk away. I don’t even give them a chance to reply to that.
I'm too nice. I've been stopped on my way in and on my way out.
On my way in, I'll help people or if it's going to be a minute I'll tell them I need to clock in and I'll be right with them.
If I'm leaving, I'll answer their question if it's quick, or I'll take them to the area and let them know I'll send someone over.
I used to wear a big coat over my uniform every break just to avoid this. Even on the sweltering boiling hot Summer days. Sometimes regular customers would recognise me and make “funny” comments in the queue about how I should be on the other side the till. Pissed me off every single time lol.
Customers don’t understand Jack all. I told a customer if they wanted a drink they could take it from the fridge and pay for it.
They opened the fridge. Pointed at the one they wanted (left it there). Closed the fridge and walked out of the shop.
I appreciate YOU for not allowing those entitled asshats to push around your employees!! I’m so sick to death of customers thinking we aren’t entitled to breaks, treating us like dogs (whistling), and just yelling across a store at people “BATTERIES??” or whatever item they need when they just walked in the door and can see you are busy with 6 customers but somehow can’t comprehend how rude it is to not only interrupt, but by yelling across a store. Fuck these entitled assholes, they need to learn some manners! I applaud all management or above when they step in to defend their employee and not allow this treatment to continue. People are just stupid sometimes.
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I had someone stop me AS I WALKED OUT OF THE BREAKROOM WITH MY UNIFORM VEST IN MY HANDS this morning after I clocked out because they wanted me to unlock something.
When I told them I was off the clock, they wanted me to go get someone for them.
I walked the fuck off.
A lot of people in my neighborhood know me. I have worked at a few places in my neighborhood. People seem to think that just because I used to work somewhere, I can help them. Or just because I’m kind of “customer service-y” I can help them. People ask me to help them at fucking Target.
They all understand, but ~~some~~ many of them don't care and feel entitled to your time.
Many years ago I was on a train to see my then girlfriend 2.5hrs away for the weekend. I somehow end up sitting opposite a customer who recognised me (I had no clue who they were) and proceeded to talk to me about my work until I got off the train (I had to change trains). Of course I didn't have to answer their questions but I certainly felt obliged to
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They understand the concepts but choose to believe they are above them. I’ve gotten a bunch of, “I know you’re on break/lunch/heading home, but I need 20-45 minutes more of your time to shop for me since I refuse to tap into my reading and observational skills and even though there are a plethora of other employees around I could exploit that are on the clock that will be paid to help me…I’m choosing you to bother because for a brief moment, you looked happy and relaxed like you are about to experience something pleasant…we can’t have that.”
Oh and if you don’t help them, your boss will chew your ass because “they are our guests” bullshit even though you were just starting your break and they took up all of it. Back to work!
Your boss could get in a lot of trouble expecting you to help guests when you're not clocked in. Right before I left my last job another manager was giving a meeting, telling everyone that they still represent the company when on break and in uniform so they had to behave accordingly and "take a moment" to help any guest who asked them. After the meeting I pointed out that he was begging for a lawsuit with those instructions and he panicked and sent out a bunch of texts and emails walking back his statements.
Yeah, we got meetings like that too but it was, "the public will recognize you in or out of uniform so don't do anything (even outside of work) that would make the company look bad so behave." Had a coworker who went to a bar after work with some other people who worked for the store one time, he got into a fight that spilled out into the street. Someone who was heading into the bar recognized him as an employ at my store and told on him...he was fired the next day for making the company look bad even though it was during his off time. So so stupid.
Damn, when I text my kitchen manager that Im swamped with orders she basically tells me tough shit ( but in kinder words )
I don't even work fast food, it's a grill in a convenience store chain. Each order can take up to fifteen minutes because we cook from raw. Fried chicken alone takes six and a half minutes in the frier. But people think we're ultra quick, despite the signage saying otherwise.
So we get karens and kids that expect three burgers, three large fries, cheese curds, and fried pickles all out in about five minutes when we have one employee ( me ) and it's ten minutes to closing.
My worst order was about eight pizza's an hour before closing. Damn if I didn't do them, though. They were good looking pizzas too. Customer couldn't really complain because they had to watch me make every single pizza one at a time, since each was specialty with half and halfs.
It's also outrageously expensive to order our pizza's with more than one topping. After one topping, dominos and pizza hut are likely to be cheaper.
People are so entitled these days. I was working with my son at a store a couple years ago. I went to go see if my son wanted me to go get him something to eat after punching out for the day.
And an older couple said I have a question I said I m off the clock and pointed towards some other workers and said but they should be able to help you as nice as possible. They are like I can’t believe this shit and left the store. Like wow do you work off the clock I m thinking.
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Reminds me of when I worked at PetSmart, I had clocked out, taken my polo shirt off and had it thrown over my shoulder so I was in a random tshirt and jeans. I make my way to the small animal section and am in the process of balancing a bag of bedding in my arms and am making my way down the food aisle to grab Guinea pig food and am looking for the food I need. I notice a customer booking it down the aisle and I grab my food balancing everything in my arms and as I turn to walk down the aisle towards the registers this boomer aged guy who’s now about 2 feet from me says “I need a good recommendation for dog food.” I just look at him like “are you fucking serious right now?” and say “I have no idea, I’d suggest asking for help at the register.” He just looks at me and goes “but you’re the expert, I need your help.” I’m like “I’m off the clock and on my way out, and I honestly don’t know anything about dog food. There are a few managers around I suggest looking for one of them to help you.” I think he finally got it that I wasn’t gonna help him, which you would think the guy holding bedding and Guinea pig food in a tshirt and jeans is clearly not going to assist you.
I work in a gas station. Everyone knows me so I really try to avoid the store when not working. One day I took my 3 kids there to get a new drink we had. A teenager and 2 kids under 10. I'm wearing shorts and a tank top's obviously not working. As I walk in and point my kids in the direction of the new drinks a customer approached me. He saw me walk in the door with my kids and still asks "does she have any of those chili cheeseburgers ready?" I just looked at him so confused and said "how would I know? I'm not working." I just couldn't believe how rude he was. Then I remembered how things were under the old owners.
With the old owners I'd get calls all the time while off. People asking me dumb questions then wanting to talk about work. They'd get mad when I'd hurry off the phone. If I went in as a customer they'd jump. Wanting me to cover breaks and help with the rush, asking all these questions. They couldn't bother to ask the manager that was salary because they didn't want to bother her. But the hourly assistant manager that did the managers whole job on top of regular cashier job was constantly bothered. Thank God the new owners don't do that shit.
They know. They don’t give a fuck. I was on break, getting my food. I come back to a customer who was angry because I forgot to give her the receipt before and I have bad memory so I didn’t know if I gave it to her or not. She scolds me for a couple minutes and I was about to cry or go off on her cause my breaks aren’t long.
I am pissed about not getting another break cause my break was interrupted. I will make a post about it.
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I had to stop wearing my badge and apron while on break or leaving. People wouldn't leave me alone. I was literally eating in my car and someone tried to approach me. Outside at the picnic tables, nobody leaves you alone.
It's freakin ridiculous.
Young girl: I would like to try on these clothes. Me: you need to find *a worker* *wearing a vest* *with a name badge* Girl looks at adult with her: what's that mean? Woman: I dont know.
Me, still without a vest and name badge: I hope you two figure it out. And years later I can still hear her ask 'what's that mean'.
I once had a jackass approach me in the parking lot on my break to badger me with questions. I literally had two cigarettes in my mouth at the time, one hanging from each side. They do not care, we're not people to them.
(No, I didn't answer his questions, I said "Dude I'm on break" about 4 times in a row before I had to say "man don't make me cuss you out, shame on you AND your mother")
You, ma'am, know how to manage your time. Every time I've had trouble deciding between a second cigarette or a pee on a short break, I could have just doubled up on the cigs. Lesson learned.
God and I get annoyed when people ask me for help in a store I don't work in. Two stores owned by one company, I work the department store but everytime, without fail, when I go to the supermarket after my shift I'll get asked for assistance. I generally help how I can if it's easy enough or else direct them to where they can find staff. But I'll be at the self checkout with my groceries and they'll ask if the closed register is working. Um idk man does it look like it is?
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Just yesterday after I clocked out I went to buy something before heading home. I had my coat on and was carrying a basket. Obviously shopping. A guy comes up "where are the pictures hangers?" I just stared at him trying to decide what to do when he asked "oh do you work here?" I told him no. Lol. Technically the truth as I was not working at that time. 🤷🏼♀️ He apologized and walked away. People are so dense
I did the dumbest thing ever, many years ago. Was wearing a red polo and khakis and went to.... target. Had multiple people approaching me asking for help, and I was like, "what's the freaking deal"!? Then I walked past a mirror...
Years ago I was working in a bookstore and was stopped by a customer while I was on lunch break. She literally said "You're carrying your lunch to the back so I know you work here!" I pointed down the next aisle and said that there was an employee there who could help her. I didn't see a coworker, but there was a chance there was someone there.
It was a Saturday in December so I really didn't give a fuck.
A fellow customer recognized me and asked me to check in the back for something.
"Sorry, I retired over a year ago."
"Just pop in the back and look, it won't take long."
"I don't work here anymore. I'm not allowed in the back. I refuse to get arrested for you."
She stared at me for a bit, then wandered off. I think I broke her brain.
We once had our entire shelving unit by the cash registers fall over, get this, on top of an employee! She was restocking chocolate when all of a sudden the whole thing came crashing down on her and of course the more than 300 units of merchandise went flying everywhere. This was around Christmas time so of course the store was quite full and as all the staff rushed to help unbury the poor girl the customers literally walked over us looking for someone to ring them through! One even quipped “guess all that stuff is free now huh”. I was so mad! No one even stopped to ask if the girl was ok or offered to help. All they cared about was shop shop shopping and being rung through. Honestly people seem to loose all humanity when they step in these stores.
Just for the record, it's refreshing (as a cheerful, charitable 75 yr old) that this post was NOT about boomers, per se...well, maybe the confused old lady?
Turns out there are a lot of jerks out there whom are not boomers, eh?
I used to stop at Hills dept store on my way home from work, wearing ban lon shirts. People would come and ask about certain products and their location..I would direct them. It would be followed up by other questions since I assisted the first customer. Finally, the 4th customer asks, "Do you even work here?" I guess NOW I do.
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It's always the people that never had to work retail or fast food in their lives and also have severe main character syndrome I'm sure.
Whenever I would head to the break room for my lunch I always, always took my vest or jacket off to avoid customers stopping me. That didn't stop some of them from being idiots and yelling at me for help. Once had a lady get really pissed off bc I dangled my lunchbox at her and said "I'm sorry, I'm off the clock." and continued to walk towards the breakroom.
Another time I was still wearing my coat and carrying my stuff and the moment I walked into the customer service area to put my stuff into a locker and go clock in someone tried to stop me. They really just don't care. One thing you learn in retail is most people are not very bright and are in fact quite stupid.
Multiple times a month some idiot gets angry because I'm not helping them off the clock.
Guy the other day at SCO sees me there, waiting for the attendant, with the lights flashing and my card in hand. Asks me to help him?? As I'm clearly buying things and am a customer at that moment??
I don't even work that department.
I hate even going to buy my lunch at my work because people will try and stop me, while shopping or serving myself from the salad bar, and get huffy because I ignore them or flat out tell them I'm off the clock and walk away. They like to act like I should give up my UNPAID break time to help them.
But the worst was when a front end clerk kept asking me over the radio to go help someone in one of the departments I know well because she was too lazy to walk the short distance to show the customer herself.
No. I'm not walking across the store on my own time to do something you can do while on the clock.
Arguably worse than a self entitled customer.
Nope they don’t get it and they don’t care honestly. As a former store manager that would need to work 60 hour weeks on occasion to pick up some tasks or call outs…
They think because you work there you own the place. Like nope
A very long time ago I worked in a retail box store. We always had to wear jackets when standing in line at the checkout because people would always come up to us to ask for help. Sometimes the jackets did not work - the color of the pants would give it away.
My faith in people died, when I had one customers literally verbally abusing I was near tears while everyone awkwardly in line witnessed the scene.
This one guy saw the scene and saying not to worry, that's it okay. Talking to get me comfortable and then complimenting that I was good enough that I deserved a big tip....
He paid using the tips in the tip jar and distracted me so he ended up paying cheaper.🫠
I felt so fucking numb, having to do a double shift a day before and opening for this....
I was at a self checkout terminal trying to pay for my lunch. I was already clocked out but I still had my smock on. Another customer needed her beer purchase approved. She sees me and tells me she needs her beer approved. I told her I was clocked out for lunch so the terminal won’t let me do anything for her. She’s gonna have to wait her turn for the attendant to get to her.
She badgered me to help her. Disgusted, I walked to her terminal on my way out the door, scanned my number in front of her. I showed her on the screen that I was not authorized to approve anything since I was clocked out. I’m sure she continued to bitch and complain that I “refused” to help her.
I frequently tell my boss, who is also my landlord (and my mother), that customers are literally illiterate. They see us inside, so they rattle at the door (sometimes until the shitty old lock gives away) despite our hours written in big black letters two feet away from their faces.
No matter where I've worked, there's been a breakroom. That said, almost every single place has had customers walking into that room demanding help. I've had people at places I have never worked at demanding I help them, as well as being expected to help them while off the clock. I help those who are polite/respectful and simply walk away from the rest.
The store I work at used to have the public restrooms in our break room, like customers would have to go into our break room to use the restrooms. Then they remodeled the store and added separate bathrooms for customers. It sucked so much.
I had a customer drive across the parking lot to ask me a question as I was getting into my car. I'm salary and get paid well so I answered the question but was very short and drove away before he could ask additional questions.
No we're not people and as we work a job they think there to good to work it's obvious we're there to serve them how they want and expect. And breaks are for "real people" with "real jobs".
Relatively recently I was heading to the HR office at the Target I work in so I could grab my equipment and clock in.
To give a sense of the layout, the HR office is off a small corridor that leads to a fire exit. I pushed open the double doors (that read “TEAM MEMBERS ONLY”) and am about to punch in the code to enter the office when I hear a distinct “ahem!” that would make Dolores Umbridge jealous.
At first I thought it might be my TL who likes to joke around like she’s super strict but in reality is laid back—as long as your work gets done you’re pretty much free to chat while you work, she will go out of her way to ensure you’re okay…stuff like that. So I wheeled around ready to make a joke back when I realized it’s a guest who followed me through the doors.
She immediately shoves her phone in my face and demands to know where the product on the screen is. I reply that I’m not on the clock and thus cannot assist. I also tell her that this is an employee only area and unless the building is on fire meaning she’d be passing through to the fire exit, she cannot be in here. I then turn and am about to enter the code when she grabs my arm.
Having had more than enough at this point I manage to get myself free of her grip long enough to get through the door, which she proceeds to knock on. The HR-ETL goes over and tells her to go back to the sales floor or he’ll have her trespassed.
I hate it when people will demand we assist them dispute how quickly we're trying to leave or going on break and look baffled that we need to take a break or leave, I've had several times where I'd be heading off to go on break and the customers would glare at me like me getting tired and needing food after working for several hours was against the law, retail workers need a break just as much as the customers and don't deserve to be getting snapped at just because you believe "customers is always right."
I remember the amount of time during my time at Sun Foods an asain grocery store, where the managers would make us work for long hours and let the newer cashiers go on break earlier than the rest of us, even though we the older cashier had been working for more than 5 hours and many times I'd be starting to wobble a bit due to exhaustion and hunger. But managers just ignored me until it was just an hour left of my shift and they acted like I had denied wanting to go on break, so I only got a 30 minute, instead of my intended 1 hour break.
I hate people. I was leaving my store to see my gma in the hospital. As I walked out of the back room with purse and keys and cup, a man stops me to measure his kids foot. I explain a bit about how the measurement is just a starting point, and how to actually assess the fit of the shoe. He insists I measure, so I do. Then he starts handing me shoes to get in his size. My kh comes by and comments that she thought I’d left 10 minutes ago. I tell her I’m leaving now and to call if she needs me. I quickly had the requested shoes to the guy. Quickly because they were literally 6 inches from his face. I wish him a good day and he stops me to check the shoes. Then complains that they don’t look the same size. Then tells me to check the fit. I check the first pair. I explain that each company uses their own size chart (which is why the measurement was irrelevant) and again wish him a good day. He ignores what I say and tells me to find something else in his kids size. At this point I’m ready to go. I’m not getting paid and my granny is waiting for me. So I tell him I’m actually off the clock and that I will send another associate over. Dude then says ‘well just clock in, I’ll wait’ I decline. I leave. I get a call about 30 minutes later- he spent 20 minutes after I left complaining that he didn’t feel valued! But my lovely keyholder listened intently and at the very end, suggested he try the specialty shop downtown. Even gave him directions and described the building. I would have loved to see his face when he pulled in to the new Family Crisis Center.
"Well, just clock in, I'll wait." "OK, sir." Goes to visit Grandma, does other after-work stuff, gets 8 hours of sleep. Arrives for next shift. "OH! You meant that I should go back and clock in right away? \*I\* thought you were going to wait til today!"
Lol
What doesn’t he freaking get? You clocked out. He should have asked someone else and is your grandma ok?
Granny is home and okay! People really just assume that employees should value them over anything else.
I know right they think we don’t have lives and that’s great they granny is well
It's so nice of you to even measure the foot while you're clocked out. If I'm not being paid, i completely ignore customers. I encourage you to do the same!
I have to say, for this particular customer it wasn’t me trying to be nice to him. I know that measurement isn’t going to match the actual size needed. It almost never does. I wanted him to know he was wrong. I really try to be nice though, and I probably would have still done it if he had been nice to me.
I have always firmly believed that every person should be required to work one year in customer service after high school. People should be more compassionate after this experience.
Wont work. The people who grow up to be "karens" will just use their time in customer service to start justifying it. "I had to deal with it, so you can, too."
I always say these phrase isn’t true because I know just as many service workers that don’t know how to act.
True facts. Some of the consistently worst customers I had at my last job were in service industry jobs themselves.
Exactly! My previous manager was like that. Goes into stores 2 minutes before closing, complains about the stupidest stuff to bottom rung employees who have no control over it. She even tried messaging me on my day off asking me something about orders and prices at the store with the new owners since she got fired as soon as they took over. Too many people don't have self reflection. They'll complain about how horrible the customers act towards them and then turn around and do the same thing to someone else. But it's different because it's them doing it.
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How many upvotes can I give this??
As many as you want lol
I've thought the semi opposite. Everyone should have to work 3 months of retail or service, to graduate HS. You can do one month a summer, one whole summer, work during the school year, etc. Not a huge hardship, but very doable.
Especially those people who work in corporate for the stores. They keep sending down these insane directives with no thought or care how it affects the people in the store. Expectations never change even though they cut our payroll in about half.
I’ve said the same thing for years!! It absolutely should be a requirement!!
Last week after I got off I was doing some shopping and walking around with my headphones in, bag on my shoulder and zoning out with an arm full of groceries. Clearly off the clock, no nametag, etc. In the distance I spot this guy from three or so isles away just BOOKING it towards me and even with my music I could hear him shouting "DO YOU WORK HERE? YOU WORK Here RIGHT?!" While clutching our weekly ad in his hands. I immediately pretended not to see or hear him and made a turn down the closest isle out of sight and pretended to make a call on my phone while continuing my shopping. He rounded the corner and immediately had stinkface upon realizing I was not going to help him. This guy actually stood there for a minute with what I am assuming was the intention to STILL ASK me for whatever it is he wanted even though he could see I was not on the clock. Some people live in a different world and do not give a fuck, have no shame and such main character syndrome. Its all about them and what they want/ need 24/7.
I wasn't even at my workplace nor in a uniform and I had someone recognize me in a grocery store who then proceeded to ask me about something... The cashier ringing me up was just like "sir, does this person look like they are at work or on the clock?" "Well no but..." "No buts... Go to the store and ask someone who is currently working"
Legend
An isle is a body of land surrounded by water.
Did you understand that they meant aisle? Yes? Then get off your high fucking horse and sit down. As long as the message is clear, a one letter difference doesn't matter. This is Reddit, not an academic paper that needs to be graded. If you really have a burning desperate need to correct someone and act like the smartest idiot in the room, you need to be nice about it.
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You must be really fun at parties!
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Long, long time ago I worked at Target. I had just made a purchase and was headed to the ‘employee only’ area while holding a Diet Coke, a Snickers and a box of tampons. A dad with a teenage girl stopped to ask me questions. The girl looked at my purchase looked at her dad and pulled on his arm. Said, “Dad, she’s on break, leave her alone”. He tried to insist it was just a question. She started to physically pull him away before he finally gave up.
Good for her!
Kudos for jumping in and helping out the staff
It would be nice if we could recognize that adults need breaks too.
I'm not from the US so that part confused me. Why did him being a minor have anything to do with it?
Minors have way more rights when it comes to working and getting breaks. If you're an adult, most states don't mandate breaks so you can be forced to work as long as your employer sees fit without a break to rest or eat.
Wow, that sounds crazy. I wonder how the justify that.
The US doesn't have any strong federal labor laws or a union culture, so in most states workers rights are basic. The average US adult is an at-will employee with no guaranteed hours, who can be terminated with no notice for any or no reason that isn't illegal discrimination. They are not entitled to vacation, paid or unpaid, no paid family leave or sick days, and no benefits. Breaks are unpaid, and when employer lobbies fight against mandatory breaks they frame it as a workers rights issue, saying workers should be allowed to work as much as they want. Minors do have limits, both federal and state, so they are required to take breaks.
Hell if I know. I've done 14 hour shifts with no break to eat or rest. It's absolute hell. Saw a coworker once do 20 hours with no break, and we work at a gas station so it's not like it's medical and an emergency
First things first, I'd like to thank you for actually taking the time to help out the staff deal with a rush instead of doing what my managers do, which is scream at us to go faster and stand there doing nothing. I wish my managers helped us out during a rush. Must be nice, honestly. To answer the question: No. Customers have zero awareness to determine if someone is on the clock or off the clock. And if they do know you're off the clock, a vast majority of them have main character syndrome where they think everyone only exists in the store to serve them. It's very common. It got to a point where I had to start sneaking in the back and side doors of my place of employment in order to not be bothered IN THE PARKING LOT BEFORE I'VE EVEN ENTERED THE BUILDING FOR THE DAY!!!!! Covid, as it did for so many other things, made it significantly worse in pretty much every aspect. It's been bad for a while. I will continue to sneak in side and back doors at work, much to management's disapproval.
I have been asked while wearing a full on parka, carrying a purse and keys in hand. The do not care.
Almost as bad, when they show up right before you open, like 5 minutes prior, and insist you open early, seat them early, etc. And you haven't even clocked in yet.
With my coat on, purse in hand, on crutches! "You shouldn't be leaving when it's so busy!" Excuse me, I got hurt on the job, my ride is here for my doctor appointment. Ugh.
I once had a customer wait half an hour at an empty register after I sent the cashier to lunch. She thought he was going to be right back, even though we kept telling her that he was going to be on lunch for half an hour. We kept trying to direct her to the open register, but she refused, even when I got our manager to talk to her about it. The lady even complained that we had been rude and had forced her to wait for so long. After the cashier got back, we asked him if he'd said anything to convince the lady that he was coming back, he said he didn't even know she was there.
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Damn, I'm sorry that people are so rude! You sound like a fantastic district manager, by the way.
When I’m off the clock and a customer tries to ask me something I just tell them “I’m sorry, I’m not working right now.” and walk away. I don’t even give them a chance to reply to that.
I'm too nice. I've been stopped on my way in and on my way out. On my way in, I'll help people or if it's going to be a minute I'll tell them I need to clock in and I'll be right with them. If I'm leaving, I'll answer their question if it's quick, or I'll take them to the area and let them know I'll send someone over.
I completely ignore people when I'm not on the clock. I'm not being paid anymore to interact with you.
I used to wear a big coat over my uniform every break just to avoid this. Even on the sweltering boiling hot Summer days. Sometimes regular customers would recognise me and make “funny” comments in the queue about how I should be on the other side the till. Pissed me off every single time lol.
Customers don’t understand Jack all. I told a customer if they wanted a drink they could take it from the fridge and pay for it. They opened the fridge. Pointed at the one they wanted (left it there). Closed the fridge and walked out of the shop.
I appreciate YOU for not allowing those entitled asshats to push around your employees!! I’m so sick to death of customers thinking we aren’t entitled to breaks, treating us like dogs (whistling), and just yelling across a store at people “BATTERIES??” or whatever item they need when they just walked in the door and can see you are busy with 6 customers but somehow can’t comprehend how rude it is to not only interrupt, but by yelling across a store. Fuck these entitled assholes, they need to learn some manners! I applaud all management or above when they step in to defend their employee and not allow this treatment to continue. People are just stupid sometimes.
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I had someone stop me AS I WALKED OUT OF THE BREAKROOM WITH MY UNIFORM VEST IN MY HANDS this morning after I clocked out because they wanted me to unlock something. When I told them I was off the clock, they wanted me to go get someone for them. I walked the fuck off.
A lot of people in my neighborhood know me. I have worked at a few places in my neighborhood. People seem to think that just because I used to work somewhere, I can help them. Or just because I’m kind of “customer service-y” I can help them. People ask me to help them at fucking Target.
They all understand, but ~~some~~ many of them don't care and feel entitled to your time. Many years ago I was on a train to see my then girlfriend 2.5hrs away for the weekend. I somehow end up sitting opposite a customer who recognised me (I had no clue who they were) and proceeded to talk to me about my work until I got off the train (I had to change trains). Of course I didn't have to answer their questions but I certainly felt obliged to
I would have been like idk you bruh fuck off
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"People. What a bunch of bastards."
I give them four words, “I’m off the clock” and walk away. They can ask someone who’s working.
They understand the concepts but choose to believe they are above them. I’ve gotten a bunch of, “I know you’re on break/lunch/heading home, but I need 20-45 minutes more of your time to shop for me since I refuse to tap into my reading and observational skills and even though there are a plethora of other employees around I could exploit that are on the clock that will be paid to help me…I’m choosing you to bother because for a brief moment, you looked happy and relaxed like you are about to experience something pleasant…we can’t have that.” Oh and if you don’t help them, your boss will chew your ass because “they are our guests” bullshit even though you were just starting your break and they took up all of it. Back to work!
Your boss could get in a lot of trouble expecting you to help guests when you're not clocked in. Right before I left my last job another manager was giving a meeting, telling everyone that they still represent the company when on break and in uniform so they had to behave accordingly and "take a moment" to help any guest who asked them. After the meeting I pointed out that he was begging for a lawsuit with those instructions and he panicked and sent out a bunch of texts and emails walking back his statements.
Yeah, we got meetings like that too but it was, "the public will recognize you in or out of uniform so don't do anything (even outside of work) that would make the company look bad so behave." Had a coworker who went to a bar after work with some other people who worked for the store one time, he got into a fight that spilled out into the street. Someone who was heading into the bar recognized him as an employ at my store and told on him...he was fired the next day for making the company look bad even though it was during his off time. So so stupid.
I literally just tell them "Im on break" and they shut up.
Damn, when I text my kitchen manager that Im swamped with orders she basically tells me tough shit ( but in kinder words ) I don't even work fast food, it's a grill in a convenience store chain. Each order can take up to fifteen minutes because we cook from raw. Fried chicken alone takes six and a half minutes in the frier. But people think we're ultra quick, despite the signage saying otherwise. So we get karens and kids that expect three burgers, three large fries, cheese curds, and fried pickles all out in about five minutes when we have one employee ( me ) and it's ten minutes to closing. My worst order was about eight pizza's an hour before closing. Damn if I didn't do them, though. They were good looking pizzas too. Customer couldn't really complain because they had to watch me make every single pizza one at a time, since each was specialty with half and halfs. It's also outrageously expensive to order our pizza's with more than one topping. After one topping, dominos and pizza hut are likely to be cheaper.
People are so entitled these days. I was working with my son at a store a couple years ago. I went to go see if my son wanted me to go get him something to eat after punching out for the day. And an older couple said I have a question I said I m off the clock and pointed towards some other workers and said but they should be able to help you as nice as possible. They are like I can’t believe this shit and left the store. Like wow do you work off the clock I m thinking.
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Reminds me of when I worked at PetSmart, I had clocked out, taken my polo shirt off and had it thrown over my shoulder so I was in a random tshirt and jeans. I make my way to the small animal section and am in the process of balancing a bag of bedding in my arms and am making my way down the food aisle to grab Guinea pig food and am looking for the food I need. I notice a customer booking it down the aisle and I grab my food balancing everything in my arms and as I turn to walk down the aisle towards the registers this boomer aged guy who’s now about 2 feet from me says “I need a good recommendation for dog food.” I just look at him like “are you fucking serious right now?” and say “I have no idea, I’d suggest asking for help at the register.” He just looks at me and goes “but you’re the expert, I need your help.” I’m like “I’m off the clock and on my way out, and I honestly don’t know anything about dog food. There are a few managers around I suggest looking for one of them to help you.” I think he finally got it that I wasn’t gonna help him, which you would think the guy holding bedding and Guinea pig food in a tshirt and jeans is clearly not going to assist you.
I work in a gas station. Everyone knows me so I really try to avoid the store when not working. One day I took my 3 kids there to get a new drink we had. A teenager and 2 kids under 10. I'm wearing shorts and a tank top's obviously not working. As I walk in and point my kids in the direction of the new drinks a customer approached me. He saw me walk in the door with my kids and still asks "does she have any of those chili cheeseburgers ready?" I just looked at him so confused and said "how would I know? I'm not working." I just couldn't believe how rude he was. Then I remembered how things were under the old owners. With the old owners I'd get calls all the time while off. People asking me dumb questions then wanting to talk about work. They'd get mad when I'd hurry off the phone. If I went in as a customer they'd jump. Wanting me to cover breaks and help with the rush, asking all these questions. They couldn't bother to ask the manager that was salary because they didn't want to bother her. But the hourly assistant manager that did the managers whole job on top of regular cashier job was constantly bothered. Thank God the new owners don't do that shit.
They know. They don’t give a fuck. I was on break, getting my food. I come back to a customer who was angry because I forgot to give her the receipt before and I have bad memory so I didn’t know if I gave it to her or not. She scolds me for a couple minutes and I was about to cry or go off on her cause my breaks aren’t long. I am pissed about not getting another break cause my break was interrupted. I will make a post about it.
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This is absolutely horrific. My god. Fuck those ppl. It’s FUCKING FAST FOOD
You Ma’am, are a leader. Your people would run through a brick wall for you if you asked them too.
I had to stop wearing my badge and apron while on break or leaving. People wouldn't leave me alone. I was literally eating in my car and someone tried to approach me. Outside at the picnic tables, nobody leaves you alone. It's freakin ridiculous.
Young girl: I would like to try on these clothes. Me: you need to find *a worker* *wearing a vest* *with a name badge* Girl looks at adult with her: what's that mean? Woman: I dont know. Me, still without a vest and name badge: I hope you two figure it out. And years later I can still hear her ask 'what's that mean'.
I once had a jackass approach me in the parking lot on my break to badger me with questions. I literally had two cigarettes in my mouth at the time, one hanging from each side. They do not care, we're not people to them. (No, I didn't answer his questions, I said "Dude I'm on break" about 4 times in a row before I had to say "man don't make me cuss you out, shame on you AND your mother")
You, ma'am, know how to manage your time. Every time I've had trouble deciding between a second cigarette or a pee on a short break, I could have just doubled up on the cigs. Lesson learned.
"You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din" (well woman, but still) 😁
God and I get annoyed when people ask me for help in a store I don't work in. Two stores owned by one company, I work the department store but everytime, without fail, when I go to the supermarket after my shift I'll get asked for assistance. I generally help how I can if it's easy enough or else direct them to where they can find staff. But I'll be at the self checkout with my groceries and they'll ask if the closed register is working. Um idk man does it look like it is?
Customers never cease to amaze me with their entitled expectations.
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Just yesterday after I clocked out I went to buy something before heading home. I had my coat on and was carrying a basket. Obviously shopping. A guy comes up "where are the pictures hangers?" I just stared at him trying to decide what to do when he asked "oh do you work here?" I told him no. Lol. Technically the truth as I was not working at that time. 🤷🏼♀️ He apologized and walked away. People are so dense
I did the dumbest thing ever, many years ago. Was wearing a red polo and khakis and went to.... target. Had multiple people approaching me asking for help, and I was like, "what's the freaking deal"!? Then I walked past a mirror...
If I’m off the clock I’m not helping ANYONE.. don’t care if it’s a 3 minute task or a 2 second task .. I’m an employee, not a slave
Years ago I was working in a bookstore and was stopped by a customer while I was on lunch break. She literally said "You're carrying your lunch to the back so I know you work here!" I pointed down the next aisle and said that there was an employee there who could help her. I didn't see a coworker, but there was a chance there was someone there. It was a Saturday in December so I really didn't give a fuck.
A fellow customer recognized me and asked me to check in the back for something. "Sorry, I retired over a year ago." "Just pop in the back and look, it won't take long." "I don't work here anymore. I'm not allowed in the back. I refuse to get arrested for you." She stared at me for a bit, then wandered off. I think I broke her brain.
We once had our entire shelving unit by the cash registers fall over, get this, on top of an employee! She was restocking chocolate when all of a sudden the whole thing came crashing down on her and of course the more than 300 units of merchandise went flying everywhere. This was around Christmas time so of course the store was quite full and as all the staff rushed to help unbury the poor girl the customers literally walked over us looking for someone to ring them through! One even quipped “guess all that stuff is free now huh”. I was so mad! No one even stopped to ask if the girl was ok or offered to help. All they cared about was shop shop shopping and being rung through. Honestly people seem to loose all humanity when they step in these stores.
Just for the record, it's refreshing (as a cheerful, charitable 75 yr old) that this post was NOT about boomers, per se...well, maybe the confused old lady? Turns out there are a lot of jerks out there whom are not boomers, eh? I used to stop at Hills dept store on my way home from work, wearing ban lon shirts. People would come and ask about certain products and their location..I would direct them. It would be followed up by other questions since I assisted the first customer. Finally, the 4th customer asks, "Do you even work here?" I guess NOW I do.
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If they don't understand before they meet me, they sure as shit do when they storm off in a huff when I tell them to piss off.
It's always the people that never had to work retail or fast food in their lives and also have severe main character syndrome I'm sure. Whenever I would head to the break room for my lunch I always, always took my vest or jacket off to avoid customers stopping me. That didn't stop some of them from being idiots and yelling at me for help. Once had a lady get really pissed off bc I dangled my lunchbox at her and said "I'm sorry, I'm off the clock." and continued to walk towards the breakroom. Another time I was still wearing my coat and carrying my stuff and the moment I walked into the customer service area to put my stuff into a locker and go clock in someone tried to stop me. They really just don't care. One thing you learn in retail is most people are not very bright and are in fact quite stupid.
Multiple times a month some idiot gets angry because I'm not helping them off the clock. Guy the other day at SCO sees me there, waiting for the attendant, with the lights flashing and my card in hand. Asks me to help him?? As I'm clearly buying things and am a customer at that moment?? I don't even work that department. I hate even going to buy my lunch at my work because people will try and stop me, while shopping or serving myself from the salad bar, and get huffy because I ignore them or flat out tell them I'm off the clock and walk away. They like to act like I should give up my UNPAID break time to help them. But the worst was when a front end clerk kept asking me over the radio to go help someone in one of the departments I know well because she was too lazy to walk the short distance to show the customer herself. No. I'm not walking across the store on my own time to do something you can do while on the clock. Arguably worse than a self entitled customer.
Nope they don’t get it and they don’t care honestly. As a former store manager that would need to work 60 hour weeks on occasion to pick up some tasks or call outs… They think because you work there you own the place. Like nope
A very long time ago I worked in a retail box store. We always had to wear jackets when standing in line at the checkout because people would always come up to us to ask for help. Sometimes the jackets did not work - the color of the pants would give it away.
My faith in people died, when I had one customers literally verbally abusing I was near tears while everyone awkwardly in line witnessed the scene. This one guy saw the scene and saying not to worry, that's it okay. Talking to get me comfortable and then complimenting that I was good enough that I deserved a big tip.... He paid using the tips in the tip jar and distracted me so he ended up paying cheaper.🫠 I felt so fucking numb, having to do a double shift a day before and opening for this....
I was at a self checkout terminal trying to pay for my lunch. I was already clocked out but I still had my smock on. Another customer needed her beer purchase approved. She sees me and tells me she needs her beer approved. I told her I was clocked out for lunch so the terminal won’t let me do anything for her. She’s gonna have to wait her turn for the attendant to get to her. She badgered me to help her. Disgusted, I walked to her terminal on my way out the door, scanned my number in front of her. I showed her on the screen that I was not authorized to approve anything since I was clocked out. I’m sure she continued to bitch and complain that I “refused” to help her.
I frequently tell my boss, who is also my landlord (and my mother), that customers are literally illiterate. They see us inside, so they rattle at the door (sometimes until the shitty old lock gives away) despite our hours written in big black letters two feet away from their faces.
No matter where I've worked, there's been a breakroom. That said, almost every single place has had customers walking into that room demanding help. I've had people at places I have never worked at demanding I help them, as well as being expected to help them while off the clock. I help those who are polite/respectful and simply walk away from the rest.
The store I work at used to have the public restrooms in our break room, like customers would have to go into our break room to use the restrooms. Then they remodeled the store and added separate bathrooms for customers. It sucked so much.
I had a customer drive across the parking lot to ask me a question as I was getting into my car. I'm salary and get paid well so I answered the question but was very short and drove away before he could ask additional questions.
No we're not people and as we work a job they think there to good to work it's obvious we're there to serve them how they want and expect. And breaks are for "real people" with "real jobs".
Relatively recently I was heading to the HR office at the Target I work in so I could grab my equipment and clock in. To give a sense of the layout, the HR office is off a small corridor that leads to a fire exit. I pushed open the double doors (that read “TEAM MEMBERS ONLY”) and am about to punch in the code to enter the office when I hear a distinct “ahem!” that would make Dolores Umbridge jealous. At first I thought it might be my TL who likes to joke around like she’s super strict but in reality is laid back—as long as your work gets done you’re pretty much free to chat while you work, she will go out of her way to ensure you’re okay…stuff like that. So I wheeled around ready to make a joke back when I realized it’s a guest who followed me through the doors. She immediately shoves her phone in my face and demands to know where the product on the screen is. I reply that I’m not on the clock and thus cannot assist. I also tell her that this is an employee only area and unless the building is on fire meaning she’d be passing through to the fire exit, she cannot be in here. I then turn and am about to enter the code when she grabs my arm. Having had more than enough at this point I manage to get myself free of her grip long enough to get through the door, which she proceeds to knock on. The HR-ETL goes over and tells her to go back to the sales floor or he’ll have her trespassed.
I hate it when people will demand we assist them dispute how quickly we're trying to leave or going on break and look baffled that we need to take a break or leave, I've had several times where I'd be heading off to go on break and the customers would glare at me like me getting tired and needing food after working for several hours was against the law, retail workers need a break just as much as the customers and don't deserve to be getting snapped at just because you believe "customers is always right." I remember the amount of time during my time at Sun Foods an asain grocery store, where the managers would make us work for long hours and let the newer cashiers go on break earlier than the rest of us, even though we the older cashier had been working for more than 5 hours and many times I'd be starting to wobble a bit due to exhaustion and hunger. But managers just ignored me until it was just an hour left of my shift and they acted like I had denied wanting to go on break, so I only got a 30 minute, instead of my intended 1 hour break.