Rants About Work

We work in retail, the service industry, from home and all around. We're on our feet all day, sit in offices, interact with the strangest people... We need somewhere to vent-- this is it.

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Job hunting is ridiculous

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Sometimes it's better not to try so hard.

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If a better opportunity arises, do you take it?

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Breakfast of champions.

Man buying 12 big bags of lays chips...

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Don't lie on your resume--

You'll appear entirely too under-qualified when push comes to shove.

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Don't tell me you can cover my shift if you can't.

Phone rings...

Me: Hello?

Person: This is Sarah* from Publix. It says here you were supposed to be at work at 6:30?

Me: Danny* said he would take my shift.

Sarah: Did you tell a manager?

Me: I filled in the paper to say he was taking my shift and left it for him.

Sarah: Alright, I'll call Danny.

-----

Phone rings...

Me: Hello?

Sarah: Danny said he changed his mind and forgot to tell you. I went into the break room, and the paper was up on the corkboard...so this is on you.

Me: Ok...I can't make it though.

Sarah: There's no way? Cause this will count as a no show, no call in.

Me: ...no, there's really no way I can make it there...

Sarah: Alright, I'll tell the manager.

-----

No, I can't make it, cause I take the bus to work. By the time I get to work, my 3 hour shift will be half over.

-----

Moral of the story: Don't tell someone you'll take their shift then screw them over.

*Names have been changed.

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here's a suggestion--

don't pee on the floor. in the store.

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Dear Customer,

I understand that the sidewalk is wet. See, there's this magical thing called rain. It happens when humidity hits 100% and the air can not longer hold any more water vapor. Oh? What was that? Too complicated for you? And yes, our manager did send someone out there to go dry out the sidewalk for you.

Sincerely,

Girl earning minimum wage and dealing with people's stupidities.

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We need to sell a total of $XX.XX more by the end of the hour. Sell, sell, sell... Sell to the walls, sell to the manequins.

Manager at Express

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Prompt

Make sure you're on time, otherwise you'll lose your job.

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Language Barrier

I work at a mall that is mostly full of tourist. Love getting to see all the different cultures, but hate the language barrier. You know those customers who except you to speak Spanish just because you live in Florida, yeah their annoying. Usually I will politely explain that no I do not speak Spanish, but am more than willing to assist them (I mean just point to a watch and I will take it out of the case - not very hard). Sometimes it is not that easy... customers are rude and won't work with you, instead they demand an employee who speaks Spanish. Florida is in the United States not South America so let's compromise- you learn some English and I will learn some Spanish.

[moviegoerwatcher-blog]

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moviegoerwatcher:

Picture a movie theatre lobby and concession stand on a busy Friday night. I’m acting as ticket taker. An older female customer walks up to me and ask,

“Can I just get a drink of water?” as she motions toward the long concession stand line. Obviously she didn’t want to have to brave the line...

[moviegoerwatcher-blog]

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moviegoerwatcher:

No? I didn’t think so.

For some reason my customers are not waiting to be let into the theatres AFTER we are done cleaning them. The ticket-taker tells them to stand in the line because the theatre is not ready, I have told them, my boss has told them as well.

Yet, no matter what I manage to...

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Inappropriate Actions in a Public Setting

1. Eating in the store (specifically an apple) and disposing it under the rack against the wall in an attempt to hide it and hope that no one will find it.

We will find your old food remnants and we have to clean it, not you. Also, we have trash cans. Ask for it maybe? That's rude.

2. Farting and trying to cover it up by sampling the cologne/perfume.

The employees know what the scents of the store are-- your body odors are not included. The restroom is public for use and we can direct you in the proper area. Talk about rude.

3. Deliberately destroying our hard work by searching for an item that we can easily locate, especially when we're obviously working on that section as you tear it apart.

We organized the clothing in a specific order. We know what sizes there are and aren't. We know how to properly grab the item without destroying the order. We're here to help. Rude.

4. Interrupting us while we're with a customer.

We're trained to get to everyone, even you. We'll acknowledge you and let you know that we'll be right with you. Your needs are not more important than their needs. You're being rude.

5. Complaining that we need to open another register because there is a line.

Although we strive to make the experience the most pleasant possible, there are certain limitations to reality. We cannot magically make the line disappear. We cannot serve you instantaneously. Sorry. RUDE.

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Customers at a grocery store...

1. A customer refuses to take the newly made sub because there are 4 squirts of mayonnaise instead of 3.

2. Lady walks up to bakery: Is this where you order cakes?

3. Lady walks up to deli: How long have those apples over there (IN THE PRODUCE DEPARTMENT) been out?

4. "NO! NO! NO! UH UH! You only put THREE cans per bag!!"

And so on...and so forth...

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Call-In Shifts

These shifts will be the death of me. Let me explain to you what a call-in shift is-- you're scheduled a shift, but it's called a "call-in." You don't know if you work that shift until two hours prior. Say your call-in is at 9:00 a.m.; guess who has to wake up at 7:00 and either call the store or have them call to see if someone possibly has to work? That's right, me. 

If they call you in and you miss it, it's just like missing a real shift. You can't make plans during that time because you MIGHT be working. I'm just saying... these shifts are really annoying.

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Dried Marshmallows

I was working at Williams Sonoma, a higher end Bed, Bath, & Beyond but limited to your kitchen. It OBViously makes sense for there to be a few sponges and odd things for your kitchen sink, right? 

So there's these dried sponges. Don't freak out, they sound a little lot weirder than they are. You know those dried mini towel things? The ones that expand when you soak them and whatnot? Whatever. There's sponges that are just like that. They were sitting by the cashier's register as the last minute item you think you need when you really don't. You get the idea.

So this customer, an apparent single man living in his mother's basement after graduating with a degree in graphic design with an interest in gaming, was definitely out of place shopping in a store as such. He's walking around, looking all dumbfounded by the contraptions and machinery surrounding him, and I approach him...

Can I interest you in an espresso today?

Oh. No. Ew. 

No? Ok. Have a great day.

Whatever.

What is this? A dried sponge?

I'm not entirely sure; may I take a look?

Yes, it appears to be a dried sponge. Haha. 

What's the use of that? You know what? If you take a marshmallow and put it up to a vacuum, you can do the same thing? A dried marshmallow.

Oh?

So there's a story.