"I Don't Work Here" megathread

[Knifeman]

We know the stories... can we have that one again wehre the old woman dragged a manager and the manager yelled at the customer?

[Imogene]

Ooh...

Once, on my break, at Chesterfield, I was wandering around in Spencer's (shows how old this story is, there hasn't been a Spencers in Chesterfield for years now) I had some woman come up to me as I'm headed for the door. "You sold me a bad Lava Lamp!" Not exactly angry about it, just obviously not happy. "I did, did I? Well, that's funny, cause I don't sell Lava Lamps." Woman gives me an odd look, and I can see her thinking that I'm playing a game on her, so I point out my lapel, which says nothing close to Spencer's, and went on my way.

I spent a few other lunch breaks in our sister store at the other end of the mall, more for the exercise than because I needed anything. I had somebody come up to me, and start out "Can you help...? Oh, wait, you don't work here."

More often than not, I would be accosted in GameStop, just down the hall, usually before I was even on shift. Somebody, from halfway across the store (I swear. Never right next to me, always about halfway back in the store, as I'm staring at the new release computer games, eyes glazed over as I try to figure out: 1. Do I really care about the newest Blizzard game? 2. Can my piece of crap comp run it?) just out of the blue "Can you tell me if this will run on my comp?" And I'm just staring at the games. Person usually comes up to me then, and repeats, loudly. I finally look up at them. "Oh, you were asking me?" Sigh. "Yes." In that petulant tone we all know so well. "Well, no, I can't tell you anything, sir/maam/none of the above." Gaping fish mouth response. "Why not?" I grin. "If you want to walk down the hall about twenty feet and actually come into the store where I work, I can help you pick out a movie, but video games are on my own time. I'm not getting paid to help you here. At least, not yet. There has recently been an exodus of managers coming to GameStop to work, so, who knows? I might be caught up in the flow..." Okay, so I never really said all that, but it was usually up to pointing out directions to my store.

[Knightmare]

One time, many years ago when I was working at RadioShack, I was in my store in the mall, just hanging out. *remember how you did that when you were young and started a cool job? Just hung out at the store?* Anyway, I was standing in front of the computer stuff we had, and I was wearing shorts and a Metallica t-shirt (before they sold out) and was unshaven. Basically, I was a slob that day.
As I'm looking over the wireless networking equipment, this lady comes up to me and asks "Do you work here?" I look at her, and then look myself up and down. I'm all grunge and the other associates are wearing the khaki pants and blue shirts.
"Uh, yeah, but not today. I'm off, and doing some shopping." I reply.
"Well, could you help me with blah blah blah?" I don't remember what she asked about, it was something stupid. "The other people are busy."
"Ok, I'll answer some questions for you, if that will help." I said.

Big mistake. After I answered some basic questions for her, she wouldn't leave me alone after that. She'd go away, and then come back a few minutes later, again and again about some other stupid thing. And then she told me she had a repair pick up, and wanted me to go to the backroom to get it and ring it up.
"I'm sorry, I can't do that."
"Why not? You work here!" She whined.
"Because no one is allowed in the back room that doesn't have a uniform on. You'll just have to wait for another associate to become free."
"But you work here!"
"Yes, I do. But it is my DAY OFF. I am not getting paid right now. I am a customer, just like you."
"But you work here!"
"Ma'am, I know I work here. You don't have to keep telling me that. But right now, I am a customer. Just a plain customer, trying to buy something.
I've helped you all I can, and I can't do anymore without clocking in."
"So why don't you clock in and help me?" This lady was stupid and obnoxious.
"Ok, you wait right here while I go home, get my uniform, come back, and clock in. That will take about an hour, ok? Or you can wait a few more minutes until someone can ring you up. Which do you prefer?"
"So you won't ring me up then?"
"NO I WILL NOT RING YOU UP BECAUSE I AM NOT ALLOWED TO RING YOU UP."

She walked away at this point to the back of the store to look at something else. I continued looking at things, and then noticed from the corner of my eye that she was coming back. I put the item down and yelled to the rest of the crew "I'll see you all later. Have fun!" and walked out as fast as I could.
I'm surprised she didn't follow me out of the store.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The other day, I was in Target wearing baggy cargo shorts and a green t-shirt that says "Save a tree! Eat a cow!" (The PETA people love that shirt LOL) and was, again, unshaven and grungy. I'm in the cookware aisle looking at new saute pans when this older lady comes up to me and asks what the price on a pan was.
Me: "I couldn't tell you ma'am. I have no idea."
SC: "Don't you work in this department?"
Me: "No. I don't work here at all."
SC: "Are you sure? I've seen you in this department before." Why do they always asks if we're sure?
Me: "Well, I do shop here a great deal. And this is probably my favorite part of the store. I love to cook."
SC: "I'm sorry. I just saw a familiar face and thought you worked here. I can't find anyone in this department."

Just then, the person working this department comes up and says "Hi Knightmare. Nice shirt! How can I help you today, ma'am?"

SC: "Does he work here? (pointing to me).
SA: "No, but he does come here a lot. He's always buying some new pot or pan or something."
SC: "Where can I find the coffee makers?"
Me: "Next aisle over." ;)

Ok, so she wasn't exactly an SC. But why don't people believe us when we say WE DON'T WORK HERE!?

[powerboy]

I ha it once, when I was shopping with my girlfriend at the time. We were shopping at OfficeMax, and this one customer came up and starting asking me if we had in whatever the hell it was. I told her that I don't work there, and ofcourse she thinks I am lying. Hell, I was unshaven, had jeans on, and sandals. She acussed me of lying, and said that is going to tell me manager and get me fired. I told her to go ahead, but my manager would just laugh, and do nothing, because I work in a factory.

[MadMike]

"Uh, yeah, but not today. I'm off, and doing some shopping." I reply.
"Well, could you help me with blah blah blah?"

For this exact reason, I would never tell them I worked there. I'd just say "no" and leave it at that.

I suppose I could have gotten in trouble if they came in another day and saw me working, but it never happened. I don't know if they actually bothered remembering our faces anyway.

[Imogene]

And, now that I think about it, my family did the same thing once, while we were at a Dave and Busters, doing something different for once. My brother spilled his drink off the pool table, and my Dad kinda waved down a guy who was standing near another pool table to let him know we'd spilled a drink. The guy said "Whose drink was it?" And played along for a short time, then let us know he didn't work there. He laughed it off with us, luckily.

[theredbaron47]

Wow, from some of the stories you all have, some customers (SC's, at that) just don't get it.

I frequent my store a lot as a customer just because they are quite handy to have close by, a hardware/garden kind of store. I have worked there longer than every other cashiers, and there are quite a few customers who recognize me at the very least from having seen me there so much. Every now and then I always get an inevitable question from a random weekend warrior. They normally aren't bad at all, usually just a simple "could you please tell me where X is" type of deal, in which case I'm more than willing to point them in the right direction. As soon as it gets more complicated than that, though, I tell them that another clerk who is on the clock would be more than happy to help them, as they are normally walking around and the customer is too lazy to find them.

Why they think it is acceptable to approach me while I'm wearing cut-off jean shorts, flip-flops, and a t-shirt (obviously not working) is beyond me.

Oh, that's right, I forgot...

...they are Customers.

...:eek:

[Gas Station Girl]

I got that today when I was at the mall shopping for shoes. I was just wearing a plain T-shirt, jeans, and sandals, and this lady came up to me, right in the middle of the mall (I wasn't even in a store or anything) and asked me if I knew where she could find a dress. I told her I didn't know and she was like, "me neither", and she left it at that. I don't know if she thought I worked in the mall, of if she just thought that I might know where to find a dress, but I still found it really strange to be approached like that.

I come to my store all the time when I'm not on duty, sometimes to buy snacks, and sometimes to buy gas. Since I've worked there for so long, a lot of customers will recognize me and will expect me to help them even though I'm not in uniform. And, of course, I get a few who ask me if I live there.

[Kiwi]

now you could be evil and pretend you work there and when they ask where the spices are, point then in a random direction

insist that the basil IS by the bakery/meat deli/frozen foods

only problem is them eventually tracking down an actual staff member and yelling at them.... and you know they would to

I have found working in a mall that Im expected to know where everything is, despite my stand being TWO METERS from a mall map...... I dont freaking know where shoppers drug mart is why dont you use your eyes you you you lazy wood panel!

[Dips]

This almost never happens to me, but just last week I got a doozy.

I was on a cruise with my family and in-laws. On my way to breakfast a lady RAN across the ship to me and demanded to know where she could purchase Platex tampons.

I told her that there were tampons available in all the public ladies restrooms on the ship for free; they could also be delivered to her stateroom if she requested it.

Nope, the ship carried the wrong brand. She had to have Playtex.

Oh, well. I shrugged and told her to check the ship's store.

Turns out the store was closed because we were anchored off Belize City (local regulations don't allow ships to have stores open while in port).

I suggested she take a tender ashore and try to find them there.

She couldn't wait that long. It was an emergency *cough:: poor planning ::cough*.

Some emergency. If it was that urgent she would take what was available and be grateful for it.

What was really funny was that she kept trying to make me care. Look, Lady, I just came up with several perfectly good solutions to your problem out of the goodness of my heart. The choices are A and B. The fact that you don't like either A or B doesn't concern me or scandalize me or make me sympathetic to you. You also won't make me think poorly of the cruise line's service; I happen to think providing free tampons to guests is EXCELLENT service.

The only thing which scandalizes me right now is that you might sit on something before you find your precious Playtex tampons. So I'm going to try to choke down my breakfast and try not to think about THAT. :(

[Imogene]

I have found working in a mall that Im expected to know where everything is, despite my stand being TWO METERS from a mall map...... I dont freaking know where shoppers drug mart is why dont you use your eyes you you you lazy wood panel!
I distinctly remember a day at Chesterfield where I was heading up to the food court, using the escalator! Oh my, I must've just gotten promoted... when a random mall person turns around and looks down at me on the escalator (let me tell you, that's difficult, I usually tower over people in Chesterfield, even while on the lower step on the escalator) and asks where the Banna Republic is, or some clothing store like that... I look down at my black, collared shirt and slightly torn khakis, and beat up black tennis shoes, and a missing sock, and wonder what the hell made her think I knew where any fashion stores were in the mall, but calmly kept that opinion to myself as I pointed up to the wing of the mall. "I think it's up there..." She seemed happy about it, and off we went our separate ways. Only on my way back down did I realize Banana Republic was downstairs.

[Think Blue]

I always get these people. It's not like I look professional when I go to the store (Sports team shirt, jeans or shorts, sandals and unshaven), but apparently this look is the official look of any store I go to.

1. Buying Groceries- I was in the parking lot and found a stray cart near my car so I grabbed and I see and old man waiving his arms and yelling to get my attention. I casually walk over to him and when I get there he says that took a while, dumbfounded I say well it's hot I'm in sandals and I don't feel like running.

The old coot responds with gimmie the cart, I say no the carts are right behind you (about 2 feet). So he yells at me about how I'm giving bad service and how he'll have my job and I'm stupid. So I tell him I don't work there and he counters with the classic I'm gonna tell the manager about you.


2.At the gym- I was in a tanktop and some track pants, getting a good workout and some idiot comes up to me while on the treadmill and grabs my shoulder. I had it low speed (just started) so I was able to not fall on my butt. What was so important that this idiot had to stop me and risk me injuring my self? He says staff isn't allowed to use this equipment during work hours.
Me:wtf are you talking about dude.
Stupid:You have to give up machines for customers.
Me:Eh, I don't work here
Stupid:Well you're in shape so I was thinkin that you were staff
Me:So being in shape means I'm staff :confused:
Stupid:Well next time don't look like staff so I don't get confursed (yes he said confursed) Yeah I really look like staff considering they wear shirts with company logos on them.

3.Prom- My senior prom was held at a fancy hotel. I was in a black tux and my gf was in one of those pink frilly prom type dresses. The dress code for workers there were nice slacks a dress shirt and a gaudy lime green vest. Anways we were going down to the lobby and as we exit some lady asks me where the red elevator is. I reply with I think it's near the exit. I think was not good enough for her as she berated me on how crappy I'm doing my job how I was getting reported this second. I tell her I don't work there, but she wouldnt believe me. Anways we went to our prom and who comes barging through the doors, but the lady and the manager. At this point it's a slow dance and she is frantically pointing towards me and how I'm a bad employee. Man she must have been bumed when the manager told her how dumb she was.

[Kusanagi]

On topic threadjack:

http://www.improveverywhere.com/mission_view.php?mission_id=57

Anyone who has ever been asked if they worked somewhere they didn't will LOVE this.

Carry on :D

[Kogarashi]

I've only had this happen once, personally, but it was still amusing.

My husband and I were shopping at Wal-Mart once, cart and all, and were looking through the electronics section when someone came up and asked me where something was. Now, I was wearing jeans (not allowed at Wal-Mart except on special days), a t-shirt (also not allowed), a red fleece vest, and my blue jacket tied around my waist. I'll admit that at a casual across-the-store glance, I might appear to be a CSM, but once you approach and see the lack of a name badge or the "How May I Help You?" emblazoned across the back of the vest, it should be obvious. But no, I had to explain twice that I didn't work there, but the item in question might be over there.

My husband gets this more often, but then he has the misfortune of wearing his solid red shirt in Target and his solid blue shirt in Best Buy or other blue-shirted establishments. He doesn't even plan this; we just happen to go to those stores on a day when he's dressed like an employee.

[Greenday]

On topic threadjack:

http://www.improveverywhere.com/mission_view.php?mission_id=57

Anyone who has ever been asked if they worked somewhere they didn't will LOVE this.

Carry on :D
That is freaking hilarious! I wish I could get in on something like that. We should do this at eachothers stores. Hell, at my one job, alls you need is a red polo shirt and khakis pants or shorts. That's it. I even wear a shirt from home that isn't my work shirt and my bosses don't notice.

[bars.of.a.rhyme]

Why they think it is acceptable to approach me while I'm wearing cut-off jean shorts, flip-flops, and a t-shirt (obviously not working) is beyond me.

It's because you exist on earth to serve them. You don't have your "free" time or "off" time, because they are the customer and serving them is your JOB, it is what you get PAID TO DO, even if you aren't getting paid at the moment.

Believe me, they would call you at home if they got ahold of your phone number.

[stickycoins]

[QUOTE=Kusanagi]On topic threadjack:

http://www.improveverywhere.com/mission_view.php?mission_id=57

I posted this on the board before the hack and I thought it was funny too. But most people here didn't take too kindly to it.

[scorpionf]

This happens to me all the time... I have no idea why, maybe I just attract the nutters.

Anyway, some of the more memorable ones:

- I was in K-Mart picking up some deodorant an lipgloss cause k-mart had the brands I like on special. (I was wearing jeans and a HBK WWE t-shirt). I was also in a foul mood this day.

SC: "Can you tell me where the kids clothes are?"
Me: "I do not work here"
SC: "Are you sure?"
Me: "I am positive"
SC: "Can't you tell me where the kids clothes are anyway?"
Me: "I do not know where they are, I do NOT work here lady"
SC: "I want to get my shopping done, why won't you help me?"
Me: "What a surprise, I am trying to get my shopping done as well"
SC: "I am going to tell your manager how bad your customer service is"
Me: "Go to hell"
2 minutes later, the SC returns with the manager in tow and points to me and says how unhelpful and ruse I am and she want disciplibary action taken. The poor manager was trying his hardest to laugh, and I just started cackling like a hyena!

- In Coles (not the Coles I worked at, and this happened when I was no longer working for Coles anyway). I was in the health food section picking up sunflower kernels, pine nuts etc...Wearing baggy jeans and a baggy t-shirt with a chicken holding a gun on it.

SC: (comes up with 2 different packs of dried apricots) "How much are these?"
Me: "I don't work here"
SC: "Can't you tell me anyway?"
Me: "My crystal ball is broken"
SC: "What is your name?"
Me: "Fairy Princess"
SC: "Show me your name tag"
Me: (turns to face her) "Are you still there, I thought I told you I didn't work here"
SC: "Why not?"
Me: "Well, why don't you get a job and work here then?" (walks away)

- In David Jones, and in DJ's appearance is of the utmost importance for the staff. I was buying bras, and I was wearing jeans and an old ripped t-shirt (I love the ripped clothes look).

SC: "I want to try this on" (waves a bra in my face)
Me: "Why not grab the PA and announce that to the whole store then?"
SC: "Where are the fitting rooms?"
Me: "Under the big sign that says Fitting Rooms"
SC: "Aren't you going to show me where they are?"
Me: "Nope"
SC: "Why not?"
Me: "Because I do not work here"
SC: "So you won't help me with a bra fitting?"
Me: "Hell no!"
SC: "Are you sure you don't work here?"
Me: "I am 100% positive I do not work here, I never have worked here, and I never will"
SC: "Can't you help me with my bra fitting anyway?"
Me: "If you do not go away, I will tell you exactly where you can fit that bra..."

[Knifeman]

I can't see why people could be so upset about the Best Buy thing.

Unless they were violating the maximum occupancy of that building(and from what I saw, they weren't), it really isn't a problem at all. Of course, the actual floor workers didn't mind it at all, from what I saw. Only the managorial self important pomps really freaked out and started screaming "Thomas Crown Affair!".

[Rapscallion]

SC: "So you won't help me with a bra fitting?"


The correct response in this situation is to pass her along to a balding, bearded colleague who has thick glasses and is rubbing his hands together to warm them up.

What? What? I'm allowed an easy one from time to time...

Rapscallion

[protege]

I got the "are you the paperboy" question one day while on my route. Some stupid woman nearly hit me with her car, so I flipped her off. She promptly threw it into reverse, dropped the window, and proceeded to bitch about how she'd "have my job for that." Being the smartass (or :devil: if you prefer, hehe) I am, I remember saying something along the lines of "no you idiot, I'm only dragging this wagon filled with papers along for the hell of it." She wasn't too pleased, but there wasn't much she could do about it--other than calling the paper's 1-800 number. Since I didn't give her my name or route number, there wasn't a damn thing she could complain about.

[theredbaron47]

In response to the Best Buy improv, I thought it was funny up to a point. Getting the store security involved and later on the police was taking it too far. I think it would have been a lot funnier if it were maybe no more than ten people (friends) who pulled the stunt. Eighty is way too far for a single store, in my opinion.

[Becks]

I appear to have some sort of undectable (to me, friends, family and other loved ones) scent that only SCs and various asshats can notice.

Nearly every place I step in to, people assume I work there. No matter what I'm wearing. I can be wearing my t-shirt that depicts Ralph Wiggum picking his nose to Victoria's Secret, and I'll STILL have people coming up to me, begging for help.

I just don't get it.

[Lord of the Waffles]

In response to the Best Buy improv, I thought it was funny up to a point. Getting the store security involved and later on the police was taking it too far. I think it would have been a lot funnier if it were maybe no more than ten people (friends) who pulled the stunt. Eighty is way too far for a single store, in my opinion.

Definitely. I think taking 80 people into a single store would make it bleedingly obvious. A small group of friends spaced far apart would work better, but alas, what do I know? :p


SC: "Can't you help me with my bra fitting anyway?"


I don't get why people still ask you for help! Stupid people! Doesn't that lady realize she's asking a total stranger to help her with her underwear!? :confused: (Well, employees are strangers too, but at least they're accountable at work ;) )

[Acolyte]

I've gotten the 'do you work here?' thing so many times at the local game store that I was jokingly called the 'volunteer employee' for a while.
Granted, I can see why-I've helped numerous people log into the store's gaming LAN, offered more advice on the store's Game Workshop line then the average GW employee, and run gaming tournies in the store.
Most of the time, I don't mind-the main clients of the store are geeks, or parents buying for geeks, who are generally pretty polite.

[ringo]

I was at home depot looking for screws. Digging in the drawer to find the exact kind for my LCD monitor (which I brought with me for fitting). Had this guy ask, do you know anything about screws and stuff? I was like, I don't know a thing. Then this same guy or different guy as I was really looking for the screws not paying attention to anyone else, shouted out loud "Customer assistant needed in lane 14". Then asked me, are you just a merchandiser? I was like, I don't even work here. I didn't have an orange shirt or a vest. It was a blue green type shirt.

So that was my "Do you work here" story that I can remember :)

[Lace Neil Singer]

Had this a few times... do we retail slaves give off an aura or something?

Once, I was in New Look, looking at tops. I was in a bad mood, cuz I was PMSing, and dressed in a long black velvet skirt, black platform boots and a Marilyn Manson t-shirt. This girl came up to me, carrying a top and said, "I want my money back. This top's ripped." I glared at her and said, "I don't work here." She replied, "Are you sure?" I practically shouted at her, "I don't flipping work here, dumb ass! Do I look like I work at New Look?!" She backed away from me and went off to pester someone else, hopefully an actual staff member.

I'm not normally that bad tempered, but when I'm PMSing... lord help the person who bugs me. :lol:

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I’ve been lurking here for some time and this thread is what moved me to pony up and register. I just had to tell this story.

I used to work at Kinko’s about a year ago. There’s a K mart between my home and the store I where I worked, so I would frequently stop off on the way home. My Kinko’s attire consisted of a light blue oxford and a pair of tan jeans or khakis. Sometimes a skirt. If you looked at me and decided this get up was “uniformy”, well, it had the word KINKO’S emblazoned across the right chest pocket. And since Kmart people wear bright red vests (I think), I do not look like a Kmart employee.

So it never failed to amaze me that EVERY time I went in there, I was accosted by people asking me for help. Sometimes, I’d get it multiple times per visit to the store. I really just didn’t get it. Never got anyone ask me “are you sure?” as many posters have. I’m not sure how I would even react to that level of stupidity. Probably say “Am I sure of WHAT?”

A couple times, it happened when I was just wearing ordinary clothes, so I’m not convinced it was the shirt, either.

So one day, I was in there, and I was headed to the registers, and I was thinking to myself, “oh, man. I made it through an entire shopping trip here without being accosted by a dimwit. Un freaking believable…”

About 6 feet away from me, a biker was sauntering toward the registers as well. He was a tall, broad shouldered, rough looking man with long, waist-length hair tied up in a graying braid. Black leather cap. Red t-shirt, torn, dirty jeans. Shiny black leather vest with flames all over it. Tattoos. Chains on his studded leather belt and heavy motorcycle boots. He had a collection of buttons and patches on his vest, one of which was quite large and said the word “F%#k” on it in big black letters.

As I was congratulating myself on a pest free shopping trip, another man stepped in front of the BIKER, and said, “Excuse me, do you work here?”

I sometimes hate to tell this story, because it sounds so unbelievable. Lemme tell you something. If I was gonna make up something, I’d make up something people would believe. But then, after reading the corn story on here, I feel like you all have seen this level of stupidity in action and can relate.

The biker looked down at the guy, sputtered a little, and blurted (not unkindly, but he was as flabbergasted as I was, I could tell.) “Dude…do I LOOK like I work here?”:eek:

“Um, well, I guess not.”

“No, I don’t work here.”

Guy shuffles off and I went over there and told the biker about what happens to me every time. He kind of laughed and gestured at himself, and said, “I’m a BIKER for crying out loud.”

I said, “yeah, I can see that.”

We had a good laugh over it. Sheesh! What is wrong with some of these people?

[RailroadMonster]

I work in a grocery store and when people approach me when I'm off shift asking where something is I point vaguely toward the first few aisles and tell them that what they're looking for "should be down there somewhere."

[cougar_guy04]

At the lot job I work (wash the cars on 2 lots for a dealer), I usually get a truck off the lot to haul the hoses (200+ ft) and other stuff between lots. When I go to put the truck back in its slot, I'll occasionally get someone coming up, "We're interested in this Charger/Ram/Jeep/etc." I'm standing there in grungy shorts and cutoff T-shirt wondering how in the world I look like a salesman. I usually tell them that I willl go get S and have him come talk to them.

I wonder if I helped make a sale if they'd give me a commission:roll:

[Lace Neil Singer]

It's the "are you sure?" question that bugs me the most. :rolleyes:

[pbmods]

I left work one day still in uniform (when I was a service clerk, I was too ashamed to wear my uniform in public; once I was promoted to photo manager, I was a lot happier), and I walked down to the new store my company had recently installed. It was on the way to the train station, so I thought I'd check it out.

I really should have figured it out after the first customer asked me if we had any more milk. But, somewhat absentmindedly, I smiled at the customer and said that I didn't work at that store. I guess I got off lucky because he said, "Oh," and turned away.

Now why I didn't figure it out and take off my uniform right then, I'll never know. But I found myself standing at the photo counter schmoozing with the technician on duty, when somebody calls out from *all the way across the store* (but still in the same aisle) "You got any more milk?"

I shouted right back, with a big smile, "I'm sorry; I don't actually work at this store."

I don't know if it was the same customer, but I got the hint, and I stripped off my uniform faster than... well, a professional who strips off his uniform, I guess.... :P

Incidentally, stupid SC for shouting at me from 30 feet away. Could've walked up to me (I was standing by the entrance to the stockroom btw), and I would've referred you to an employee who *does* work at this store standing *right next to me*. But only if you make the effort first. So there!

[RebeccaOTool]

I used to get that at Blockbuster EVERY FREAKIN' TIME I went in!
Me: *Browsing Horror Titles*
SC: Where's 'Free Willy'?
Me: What?
SC: 'Free....Willy?'
Me: Sir, I don't work here.
SC: *Mutters about Smartass Teenagers*
Me: O.O

[Rapscallion]

I don't know if it was the same customer, but I got the hint, and I stripped off my uniform faster than... well, a professional who strips off his uniform, I guess.... :P


Usually done quite slowly, I understand.

Rapscallion

[Dog Welder]

The correct response in this situation is to pass her along to a balding, bearded colleague who has thick glasses and is rubbing his hands together to warm them up.

What? What? I'm allowed an easy one from time to time...

Rapscallion


No, no, no. Keep your hands cold before the fitting because then...
um, I'll shut up now.




















pointy.

[NoodleBoy]

on a few occasions when I'm in a store, I've had the ridiculous misfortune of asking another customer for help, then looking like a big dumbass.

thing is, though, I usually try to check if their clothes match what other employees of the store are wearing, and almost every time it does, with sublte differences.

I've had it happen to me, too, in a bookstore where my friend works, because there they're told to wear black unprinted shirts and blue jeans, and guess what I happen to wear alot.

[icia]

once i was in a hobby lobby when i had just gotten off work (btw, their uniforms looking NOTHING like ours). my friend and i were standing and talking when a lady walks up behind me and pokes me in the shoulder. "if you could bring yourself to stop talking with your friend, would you tell me where the large candycanes are" guess what tone she used. >> i turned around (the poke nearly did me in :rant: i don't like being touched) "i'm sorry, i don't know" i turned back around to my friend, who's just staring at this lady behind me. she raises her voice a bit "EXCUSE ME" i turn around all the way, good ol logo on my shirt, which was not hobby lobby. being a irritated myself by now i ask a very firm "What?" she turned a thousand shades of shade red "oh, you don't work here." ya think?

i think i've figured out why so many people mistake us for employees, not necessarily because we look like them (cause quite a few cases people are wearing streetclothes) but maybe it's cause we actually don't have our heads where the sun doesn't shine and we look like we know what we're doing. >>

[Canarr]

I got that once, visiting my favorite book store - I do a lot of reading, and consequently spend a lot of time in book stores. Oh, how I wish we had some of your Barnes & Nobles over here... but I digress.

One day, while looking at some new arrivals (maybe I looked like I was tidying up or whatever), a middle-aged woman approached me and asked for books from a certain author. She was polite enough, I was in no hurry and there were no actual employees in sight, so I showed her over to the section where she'd find what she was looking for. She was looking for a gift, so she didn't actually know anything about the author; I spent a good ten minutes detailing the various series available, and she ended up taking four books to the register.

About ten minutes later, the manager approached me (we'd chatted a few times, but didn't really know each other), grinned at me and said if I'd like, there was a coffee and pastry for me in their break room - since we were colleagues now.:D Apparently, the woman I'd helped had pointed me out to the manager and spoken well of my assistance.

[Barefootgirl]

I left the front lines of retail several years ago, but I don't think I ever left my "helpful" aura behind. There are certain shops where I can guarantee that someone will ask me for help within minutes of crossing the threshold, and they are obviously not mistaking me for a staffmember, since I am normally with my mum and pushing my three year old daughter in a shopping trolley...People also ask me for directions everywhere i go, because apparently I look like a local everywhere. This was particularly interesting when it happened in the Dominican Republic and Singapore (at least in Singapore the woman asked in English, in the DR it was in Spanish and ihadn't a clue what he was saying to me)

The Number One favourite place for this to happen is the oriental supermarket near my mum's house. Every single time I go in there, at least two people will ask me if I know where something is, or even better, if i know what something is (last time it was some weird dried fungus). My mum's theory is that I look "foreign" enough for people to assume I know what I'm buying there, but my dead posh English accent proves that I am "safe" to talk to (if only they knew!).

[Format C]

There are two times in which I was at Borders and I've been asked "Do you work here?" Both times I was wearing a shirt and a tie and I resisted the temptation to say "I am too well-dressed to be an employee." :D No offense if you work at Borders.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

she raises her voice a bit "EXCUSE ME" i turn around all the way, good ol logo on my shirt, which was not hobby lobby. being a irritated myself by now i ask a very firm "What?" she turned a thousand shades of shade red "oh, you don't work here." ya think?

When this sort of thing happens, you should really push the issue, I think. They should have to be mortified, and they should have their nose rubbed in the crappy way they treat others. What if you'd said something like "why are you embarassed now? I'm the same person I was when you weren't too embarassed to act like I was beneath you." She'd think twice next time, I promise that.

This exact thing happened to the husband in Best Buy. (I dont' know why he attracts them, I swear. But he really does seem to. ) He was wearing a light blue oxford (Kinko's again). Best Buy wears bright blue golf shirts.
Computer section looking at monitors. Guy next to him asks a question.

SC: So, are these compatable with blah blah?
Hubby: I really don't know about that particular machine.
SC: (nastily) Well shouldn't you?

At that point, hubby clues in to the fact the guy thinks he works there and turns to face the guy with a really nasty scowl.

SC: Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you worked here.
Hubby: My ass, you're sorry. You're only sorry because you just realized you're mouthing off to someone who DOESN'T have to take your shit.

Embarassed,the guy split. But really, why are they only embarassed by their behavior if the person isn't an employee? Their behavior would be disgusting if they did it in an empty room.

[theredbaron47]

When this sort of thing happens, you should really push the issue, I think. They should have to be mortified, and they should have their nose rubbed in the crappy way they treat others. What if you'd said something like "why are you embarassed now? I'm the same person I was when you weren't too embarassed to act like I was beneath you." She'd think twice next time, I promise that.

I couldn't have said it better myself. It is the dream-come-true for retail slaves everywhere... the opportunity to actually mouth off BACK to the SC without fear of losing your job. These SC's really need to have a dose of their own medicine. The guy your hubby mouthed back at was called out on it, and I hope he felt like a complete jerk. Maybe now he'll think twice before belittling retail employees.

[Cvstos]

When this sort of thing happens, you should really push the issue, I think. They should have to be mortified, and they should have their nose rubbed in the crappy way they treat others. What if you'd said something like "why are you embarassed now? I'm the same person I was when you weren't too embarassed to act like I was beneath you." She'd think twice next time, I promise that.

Now that is too perfect!! Next time I'm definitely using that line, and whatever else I can think of to drive the point home. Thank you!

[Greenday]

Hah, I finally got one. Might be a little weak but it still counts in my book.

I was working the other day at the racetrack(I don't actually work for the racetrack, I work for a company that rents out stand and sells food and such), when my bladder decided it was a lil full. I head to the bathroom and did my thing. I had just finished washing my hands and got some paper towel from the dispenser. Some guy was trying to figure out the complex system of getting paper towels. It's one of those dispensers that you move in front of the sensor and it gives you some. I waved my hand in front of it and he happily took the paper. He then looked at me and said, "Wow, you must work for the track!" I just looked at him oddly and said, "Um, no, I work for *insert company I work for*" He leaves and then I look at the track worker who gives out paper towel to the people at the other side of the sinks. We both had a laugh and I went back to work.

The odd thing is, the track workers shirt is a red, mine is maroon. His shirt says Monmouth Park, mine doesn't say anything. All the track workers in all the bathrooms are Mexican, I'm, well, not. Come on, just cause I know how to work a paper towel dispenser, I must work for the track? That's sad.

[Jester]

http://www.improveverywhere.com/mission_view.php?mission_id=57

Anyone who has ever been asked if they worked somewhere they didn't will LOVE this.

Okay, I spent the last several DAYS going through that whole site, and laughed my silly little butt off. Could not believe how hilarious it was, INCLUDING the Best Buy one, despite what some people here may think. They are now my new official favorite site. :worship:

[Barefootgirl]

They are now my new official favorite site. :worship:

Er, present company excepted, I presume ? ;)

[Jester]

Barefootgirl, I love this site, and bitterwaitress.com, I really do, but sorry....Improv Everywhere absolutely rocks.

I hope you can settle for second favorite. :o

[Lace Neil Singer]

I want them to come to my work and do the same thing. :lol:

Did you read the Suicide Jumper improv? That was brilliant!

[COMINATCHA]

It actually happened to me today. I was walking through Target (which I haven't worked at for some time now), my bag on my shoulder, drink in my hand, looking at the makeup. I was wearing jeans, red high heeled shoes, and a white top white some lace through it. I also had a bright red flower pinned in my hair.

A lady called out to me "Do you work here?"

I looked up at her and just shook my head as I drank my juice.

"Can I get some service over here?" she yells out to me.

I decide to just carry on shopping and pretend I've suddenly become deaf and can't hear her.

She starts walking closer to me, so I quickly get out of there! Hehe.

I thought it was a bit obvious I wasn't working there, but after reading through some of these posts, it's clear that people just don't pay attention to stuff - ever!

[Susie Derkins]

I remember going to the grand opening of a Big Lots store in the strip mall where I worked. I was on my lunchbreak and wearing my Hallmark uniform, and while I was in there I saw a girl I used to work with and we started chatting. A man walks up, stands about a foot away from us with a little grin on his face, and just watches us talk (he looked as though he were watching a particularly interesting tennis match).

After about 30 seconds of that, I turned to him and said, "Yes?" He (of course) had some question about something in the store. I informed him that I didn't work there, and he said "Oh, the uniform threw me!" I waved a hand toward the cash registers and pointed out that the people who actually DID work there didn't wear uniforms. :rolleyes: He was nice about the whole thing, but clueless!

[Tito]

Believe me, they would call you at home if they got ahold of your phone number.

That's exactly why I used to refuse to give my last name if someone asked for it. Sure I ticked off a few people, but do you think that I care? I did not need them being able to look me up in the phone book.

[Mixed Bag]

i think i've figured out why so many people mistake us for employees, not necessarily because we look like them (cause quite a few cases people are wearing streetclothes) but maybe it's cause we actually don't have our heads where the sun doesn't shine and we look like we know what we're doing. >>

I love those moments when someone brings our hazy thoughts to a fine point like you just did. It also highlights that even though I have more memorable experiences as a customer than in service, we share a frustration with "SC"s no matter what our actual roles at the moment. :salute:

I got asked the question a lot in bookstores (probably a combination of several reasons it was mainly there: I didn't spend so much time elsewhere, didn't seem as confident in or familiar with other places, and I don't wear polo shirts).

[Confuzed-Monkey]

This is my story.

My dad is a store manager for Eckerd Drug Store.

I would go to visit him often since our work schedules usually didn't allow for us to get together. Their uniform at the time was a navy blue polo style shirt and khaki pants. I never worked for them, but I was at his store a lot so I did help him while I was there. This day I was wearing a light blue polo shirt and khakis.

Well this day was my day. My dad was busy staightening the magazine rack that was down the aisle in the store. I was kinda half-helping him while reading a few of them. He got called to the front. The whole time he was there, there was a lady standing about 10 feet away. Now she comes up, Of Course.

SC-Stupid Stuckup Customer
ME- me

SC- "Where is the (random medicine)?"
Me- "I don't know"

SC- "Well why not?"
Me- "Because I don't know"

SC- "Well if you could drag yourself away from your reading long enough to help me"
Me- (Ding - bells going off in my head)
Me- "I'm sorry ma'am, but I don't work here." "I'm here helping my dad."

SC- "Well, you shouldn't dress like you work here then."
Me- "Sorry, but this is what I like to wear."

SC- (Huffs, then turn and stomps off)

I told my dad about it as soon as he came back. He laughed, then said he noticed she waited till after he left also. I guess she never complained, or at least he never said anything.

Good little afternoon chuckle.

CM

[WHShit]

I was visiting my mom in NC and decided to go to the mall. I was wearing a tube top (not a trashy tacky one btw), a long skirt and flip flops. I had my purse on my arm and sun glasses on my face. I was also holding a lemonade and eating a big pretzel. I did not AT ALL look like I worked anyhere. I looked like I was doing just what I was doing...shopping (and stuffing my face with pretzels)

I am walking through the shoe dept. at Belk (big department store) and this woman comes up to me and asks where the socks are. I say "sorry, I don't work here" And I get a huff and she stomps away. No "sorry or anything". Ok.....so I am still walking, looking at shoes and I pick up a pair of flip flops (the ones I am wearing now, infact:D ) and look at them. This old bag storms up to me and starts yelling at me that I went to get her shoes 15 minutes ago and she has been waiting! I tell her that I was not the one who went to get her shoes, as I do not even work there. She says "it was you, now get my shoes". I tell her that maybe I look like the person who went to get her shoes, but I am shopping just like her! I even hold up my pretzel and my purse! She says "nevermind" and stomps off too!

WHAT THE HELL? I must have the reatil smell on me, I swear! This happens so many times to me.

I was in Wally World one evening, looking at dvd players as I wanted to buy one for my mom. This lady comes up to me and starts saying "I don't know anything about these things, can you help me please" I thought that she was just casually asking a fellow shopper for advice. I ask her what she wanted to know. She says that she wants one for her grandkids. Nothing to hi-tech but just to play movies on and cheap. I tell her that I am not too sure which ones do what and that I am not too clued in on dvd players. She says "well, why not. I think all employees should know their departments"! OMG!!!!:confused: Again, I had my purse and a drink in hand. I tell her that I am not an employee. She says "sorry" and then starts asking me questions again. It took ME going to get an employee for HER to help her and get away from her.

It makes me laugh. It pisses me off at the time, but it IS funny. I can't believe people still get angry at you even though you are just a customer like them!:roll:

[Ree]

I live in a small town and have been in retail since I graduated high school back in 1978.
People know me. I go out in public and they recognize me.

Our store used to have the same corporate colours as the grocery store beside us, and it was really confusing for customers, but now, the colours are different, yet they still ask for help if I go in wearing my uniform.

Last year, I was shopping at the grocery store one Sunday afternoon...not even in uniform.
Some lady (one of my hardware store 'regulars') came up to me and pointed out that she had dropped a yogurt on the floor and it had exploded.
She said, "I'm sorry, I dropped that. Could you get something to clean it up?"
I said, "I don't work here. I work next door at the hardware store."

The lady felt pretty stupid. :D

[Lehk]

She said, "I'm sorry, I dropped that. Could you get something to clean it up?"
I said, "I don't work here. I work next door at the hardware store."

The lady felt pretty stupid. :D

:soapbox: :ot: :rant:

at least she went to tell someone.

that, above all else pisses me off at work. i really don't mind cleaning up broken glass, pudding, eggs, whatever. cleaning up pudding egg or soda that has had a few hours to dry because whoever dropped it didn't have the cajones to admit to it ticks me off real bad.

we certainly don't charge people for items they break accidentally and we never have so i really don't understand where the fear comes from.

The other thing that gets me is when i am clearly in the middle of a hazardous cleanup people asking me to go look in the back for something.

No i will NOT leave this puddle of olive oil and broken glass unattended to see if we have any diet caffine free coke you will have to either wait or find someone else to help you. No your inconvenience is not more important than the safety of other shoppers

[Ree]

at least she went to tell someone.True...but I suspect she only told me because I happened to wander into the dairy section with my shopping cart, and she recognized me.

That bugs me too when people make a mess and leave it. Just tell someone, for crying out loud!!!

[RecoveringKinkoid]

SC- "Well, you shouldn't dress like you work here then."
Me- "Sorry, but this is what I like to wear."

SC- (Huffs, then turn and stomps off)



CM


We'll, you shouldn't dress like you work here, then. "

"And maybe you shouldn't dress like a pushy :censored:. ma'am"

[ArenaBoy]

I have been mistaken for an employee at some bookstores but I look like someone who works at one anyway.

C:Excuse me, where can I find Dostoysky?
Me: Ma'am, I don't work here.
C: I'm sorry, you look like you do.

[biscuitchan]

I kinda had the opposite yesterday. I was giving Ladieswear some of their clothes back from returns, and this womans looking at me kinda apprehensively. I'm about to go "Can I help you?" when I hear her mutter "Does she work here...No, she can't do." and walks off. I was kinda confused. There I am in work uniform carrying loads of Ladies clothes (trying to put them back on hangers as I walk), and...yeah.

[Mixed Bag]

They can't figure out that I work there despite the fact that my nametag bears the following: 1: a leash with the company name on it 2: a tag with my name and the company name 3: a Bug's Life Button 4: a Babe: Pig in the City Button 5: a Prince of Egypt soundtrack sign 6: a button with the name of the mall on it But when I come in on my day off, they all of a sudden know I work there. (I guess they traded in their common sense for sixth sense.)

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I have never had the experience of someone being really rude to me when they thought I was an employee, though I have had many cases where they simply thought I worked there and asked me for stuff. Most just go "oh, sorry" when they find out differently.

A lot of you are getting a lot of rude, though, to hear you tell it. Don't miss your big chance here. I don't mean your big chance to be rude back. I mean your big chance to maybe make a clueless person give a little more thought to what they are doing and how they are treating people.

I am wondering at some of the continuence to be polite and subservient sounding to obviously rude people I'm seeing here. I certainly don't blame or condemn anyone for trying to be polite, but it might be working against you in some of these cases. Maybe you should be taking a firmer tact. After all, most rude people are only rude because they thing nobody's going to call them out on it.

I find the best disinfectant is sunshine. In other words, naming the problem will frequently end it. Why not try saying, in a polite but firm voice, something like "Ma'am, do you realize you are picking a fight with a total stranger right now?" That might snap them back into reality. I mean, I've read a couple cases here when someone, instead of apolgizing for disturbeinga stranger, say stuff like "Don't dress like you work here." WTF? Who are they to tell you how to dress? Even knowing you are not beholden to them in any way, these people are so out of sync with reality they think they can tell you how to dress.

These people desperately need a wakeup call. Give them one. ;)

[Requilum]

I kinda had the opposite yesterday. I was giving Ladieswear some of their clothes back from returns, and this womans looking at me kinda apprehensively. I'm about to go "Can I help you?" when I hear her mutter "Does she work here...No, she can't do." and walks off. I was kinda confused. There I am in work uniform carrying loads of Ladies clothes (trying to put them back on hangers as I walk), and...yeah.

Ugh... I get that all the time. Customers will come up to me and ask, Do you work here? And then they don't believe me, and so the inevitable Are you sure? gets asked after I say yes. Apparently the fact that I'm wearing the uniform, the nametag, AND most of the time putting away a giant stack of games, CDs or DVDs is not enough for them.

Worst off though, is when it's my day off and they just approach me and just start asking questions. If they can tell I work there when I'm wearing street clothes, then why do they need :censored: justification when im in the uniform?

[Sandman]

SC: "So you won't help me with a bra fitting?"


I would love to, but I might become a sex offender afterwords.

[Ezrockspants]

This happened to me in Sportsgirl once...
The girls there wear Sportsgirl clothes and jewellery (and shoes too, in some cases) as well as nametags.
I was waiting outside the changerooms for my sister wearing (old) clothes not from there, but I was *possibly* wearing Sportsgirl earrings. A girl was trying something on and needed a different size, and was talking to an *actual* employee about how another *actual* employee had gone to get it for her, but was taking a while. She then looked straight at me and said:
"It was her. She was the one I asked."
I just looked at the actual employee and i'm sure i had the same "WTF?" look on my face as she did, and i then said:
"I don't work here..."
The girl looked embarrassed, but tried to laugh it off, saying "haha, you look like you work here, and the girl i asked looks like you"

The actual employee she asked was short & skinny with long dark brown hair.
I'm tall, curvy with midlength red hair.

:confused:

At least she was polite...

For some reason i always get asked for directions and information about buses while waiting at the bus stop. I guess i must just look approachable...

[air914]

I've very rarely had anything like that happen - usually it only happens when I'm doing a sampling event in a store - I'm there to sample, but people think that I might actually work for the store - and when I tell them I don't, they usually just go away.

But I can't believe they ask "Are you sure?" I'd love to just stand there and hit myself over the head and go "Oh, you know what - you're right, I do work here - gosh it's a good thing you came along - I had totally forgotten!" And oh shoot, I totally forgot to wear my uniform & nametag too..... now where did I put those?? Wait, did I ever get a uniform and nametag??? hmmm - nope maybe I don't work here..." Either your saracasm or your conversation with yourself will hopefully make them think you're crazy and go away.....

The biker guy thing is too funny though - I mean maybe if you were at a bike shop - or a tattoo parlor...... or a bar.... but anywhere else, I would assume a biker would not work - or at least would not be dressed like that at work.

[SonOfSpam]

I've had it happen to me only a couple times; I'd be shopping at the place I worked at in my street clothes on my day off and some regular customer would recognize me from retail and ask me if I knew where such-and-such was. But it never turned into a big thing, I'd just point them in the right direction. I couldn't imagine wearing regular clothes in a Best Buy or Blockbuster and being bothered with questions, maybe SC's are smarter around my neck of the woods.

[lordlundar]

It only happened before I started to work. I was happy and polite.:angel:

Now I exude this aura of "I will break your spine if you ask.":devil:

[0oAmericanGirl]

I've mistaken people in target if they're wearing a reddish shirt and khais, I always applogize. What I don't get is when you're in your work uniform that consists of a dark green vest and black pants.
One woman was trying to get somthing off the top shelf in target where it was clearly marked ask for assistance. I was on the isle in my work uniform and she looked at me and asked me to get a ladder or somthing. I informed her that I didn't work here and to that she responded," I know but I'm sure your manager would be proud of you for helping me out"... no he'd be angry that I took my full lunch break and went here instead of working through and helping him deal with his "I-want-a-bonus-so-I'm-cutting-hours-and-you'll-have-to-deal-with-it" mentallity.

[phoenix_rising]

Well, here's my "Do You work here?" story. It's short, but stupid.

Every weekend, my family stays at a hotel in lower Ohio because we have a business down there. I went down 3 weekends ago and a group of college-age boys was there as well. I was in the pool area with my little brother (I'm 17) and I saw that there were teas in the main lobby. Me being a fan of tea, I went to look at them.
I was inspected the Chamomille when one of the college guys comes out to the front desk. I was just standing there in a pair of capris and a t-shirt and he asks "Do you work here?"
I look at him and politely say "No, I'm just looking at the teas."

I wonder how often these people think to just randomly ask anyone they see if they work there!

[Jack T. Chance]

This reminds me... back on the old site, when Mr. Slugger was running the show, there was an official CustomersSuck.Com T-shirt with the following slogan on it:NO! I DON'T WORK HERE!!!I remember there being stories on the old board of grocery store employees wearing that shirt under their uniform, and taking off their uniform shirt/smock/whatever at the end of their shift, then walking around the store with the CS.Com shirt on while they did their personal shopping! :devil: I always meant to order one of those, and wear it on MY days off! :devil:

But sadly, I never did. :( I wonder if Raps is going to bring back the T-shirts? :confused:

[Rapscallion]

But sadly, I never did. :( I wonder if Raps is going to bring back the T-shirts? :confused:

Me too.

I want the site steady and with a decent front page before I look at things like that. I'm somewhat hampered by being in the UK when the main audience is in the US.

If anyone has suggestions - Cafepress is expensive, but one option - let me know.

Rapscallion

[Lehk]

Me too.

I want the site steady and with a decent front page before I look at things like that. I'm somewhat hampered by being in the UK when the main audience is in the US.

If anyone has suggestions - Cafepress is expensive, but one option - let me know.

Rapscallion


cafe press is definitely the way to go, easy to design the shirts and you can set the price all the way down to "at cost" more importatnly if you don't need a premium shop it costs nothing at all to run or to do single run shirts.

[appliance god]

I apolgise as this story is kinda long..

I think that there is an aura around customer service employees that mark them out to others as being helpful no matter what the extenuating circumstances might be. No matter how many indicators there are that a person does not work in a particular area, or has no relationship with the desired function a customer wishes him or her to perform, there is something about us which draws the SC to us at what can be the most inappropriate moment.

This actually happened...

I was in the middle of a fantastic world trip....in fact I was in Zanzibar, off the coast of Tanzania where my wife and I were engaging in a little sightseeing. We felt safe having been told that crime was not a real problem when some little hoodlum grabs my wifes bag and runs off with it, complete with credit cards, travellers chqs and about $200 USD.

Now have you guys seen those movies with settings in Arab towns with very narrow stone streets. Zanazibar is very like that. So this little twerp runs off with me in hot pursuit. I finally corner the guy in some random building and proceed to beat the snot out of him till he gives up the location of where he stashed his booty. Now normally I'm a very placid guy and not prone to violence but it would be fair to say this guy got a fair ass-kicking.

While checking the bag this guy takes off.

Next thing the local police arrive and think I've been stabbed. A fair assumption as I now have a large amount of blood down my right leg. None of it is mine. I refer you to the ass-kicking mentioned earlier.

The police want me to go down to the station to make a statement, so we walk down to the station.

Imagine this. There is a procession. My and my wife, not a little shaken, me with blood all down one leg, my grey shorts half covered in blood, escorted by three local policemen.

An American walks up to me and asked if I spoke english.

I said Yes.

He asked me if I knew of any good places to eat at.:banghead: :banghead:

[Knifeman]

Me too.

I want the site steady and with a decent front page before I look at things like that. I'm somewhat hampered by being in the UK when the main audience is in the US.

If anyone has suggestions - Cafepress is expensive, but one option - let me know.

Rapscallion


Find or contact a local screenprinter.

Cafepress's quality is horrendous. By going local, you can ensure quality and quantities. Maybe more expensive to start up, but far better in the long run.

As a graphic designer who has worked in screenprinting for a time myself, trust me when I say talking to a local screenprinter is far better a decision than trusting print on demands.

[Jester]

So today, after my shift at the outdoor bar, feeling a bit sweaty, I did what I often do in that situation....I went to the clothing optional pier/bar/pool/sundeck. (This town is JUST a bit different from most!) So, jump in the pool for a bit, get out, and am hanging out at the bar in just a towel talking to the bartender, who I know, and a couple of customers who were there. Ms. Bartender was out from behind the bar, involved in the conversation, as nothing much was going on. I should point out that everyone else at the bar was fully dressed, I was the only one in a towel.

Two obvious tourists walk in, and Ms. Bartender says to me, "Jester....pretend you're the bartender!" I protest that I am JUST WEARING A TOWEL! "Come on, they won't know the difference." What the heck, right? So, wearing only a small towel, I give the guys a friendly greeting, and attempt to sell them drinks. They are only looking around, checking the view (it's right on the ocean), etc., etc. We banter a bit, exchange chit chat, yada yada, and they leave....and they never ONCE questioned the bartender dressed only in a towel.

Now, I wonder if that would have worked if I had tried it in a place that was NOT clothing optional. Hmmmm.....


TOMORROW STARTS MY VACATION! NO MORE ASSHAT SUCKASS CUSTOMERS FOR A WEEK! :bounce: :party: :cheers: :drink:

[Rapscallion]

That's where the UK thing comes in. Have you seen the cost of trans-Atlantic postage? Let's not forget limited time :/ That's why I'd be far more interested in something based in the US.

Rapscallion

[Kiwi]

I rather liked my cafepress sweatshirt, I still have it, I cant wear it though because I ordered a medium and it comes down to my knees... and you can fit 3 of me inside it

Im sure there is an alternative Raps, it will all turn out alright in the end

[Jester]

I know my favorite web cartoonist has been very happy with Warehouse 23 (www.warehouse23.com). I myself have no clue about them, but he seems happy, and he has tried other places, including Cafe Press.



TOMORROW STARTS MY VACATION! NO MORE ASSHAT SUCKASS CUSTOMERS FOR A WEEK! :bounce: :party: :cheers: :drink:

[Boulder_Bear]

So today, after my shift at the outdoor bar, feeling a bit sweaty, I did what I often do in that situation....I went to the clothing optional pier/bar/pool/sundeck. (This town is JUST a bit different from most!)



Where is this? US? UK? It ummmm.... sounds like a very interesting place.

[Twotall]

My story:

A couple of months ago, I was in my local grocery store. Now, all the employees there wear apple green uniforms with the store's logo displayed on the front and back. I was walking around wearing a black fleece jacket, black pants, backpack slung over my shoulder and carrying a plastic basket full of groceries. As I walked by the cooler where the water was displayed, a middle-aged woman wearing FAR too much jewellery looked at me, and asked:

SC: Is there any plain water left? I can't find any...
Me: Excuse me? Plain water...?
SC: Yes, without any flavouring, bubbles, or anything like that.
Me: *scans cooler* No, can't see any. Looks like they're sold out.
SC: Is there more in the back?
Me: Possibly, I wouldn't know.

At this point, she left in a huff (:mad: ), headed straight for the registers, where she encountered an actual employee:

SC: I wanted to know if there was any more plain bottled water in back, and that man (indicates me) refused to help me!!!
Employee: That's because he is a customer, he does not work here... Now, why don't I go check...

[WHShit]

Had it happen AGAIN today! I was in Boot's (a drug store) looking at make-up on my break and 2 peole stopped me. One woman was nice when I said I did not work there. But one walks up to me and says "what is the difference between these two"? She was holding lipstick. Never even said "excuse me" or "do you work here" she just assumed I did. So I say "sorry, I don't work here" and she says "well, you are wearing all black".

WTF? The people in Boots wear WHITE coats, not black...WHITE! And lots of people wear black. It does not mean they work in a shop!

Granted, I had on dressy pants and a long sleeved dressy shirt (management dressy), but PLEASE! She actually looked pissed off when I told her I was not an emplyee! Errrrgggghh!

When I got back to work I was telling a co-worker about the lady and my co-worker had a story. She went into a supermarket wearing her work clothes (lavender shirt) and had a lady come up to her and ask where the milk was. When she said that she did not work there the lady said "are you sure"?

OMG!!! Why ask that? "Um...let me think, no I am not sure...come to think of it, I DO work here and the milk is on aisle 3".

The people at this particular supermarket wear dark blue shirts, not lavender.

WHAT is wrong with these people?

[rdp78]

It really makes me wonder how some people just can't pay attention to what people are wearing and just think that anyone who is in a store works there. I mean I understand if they are wearing a similar color shirt that employees are wearing or are in business causal but really if they are wearing like a tube top like WSHit was then that SC is must be really stupid. Well, I have say I only had a couple times where I was asked if I knew where something was and I showed where that item was because I knew where it was anyway (they weren't being SCs). Now one time when I was in a used bookstore I was asked if I worked there and of course, I said no. I guess I'm kind of lucky in way but if I ever in a situation where another customer really think I work there even through I'm another customer I know what to do but I still don't mind helping them if I can and they are nice about it (if they are an SC then well, I ain't gonna help them).

[crewboy]

A lot of you are getting a lot of rude, though, to hear you tell it. Don't miss your big chance here. I don't mean your big chance to be rude back. I mean your big chance to maybe make a clueless person give a little more thought to what they are doing and how they are treating people.

I am wondering at some of the continuence to be polite and subservient sounding to obviously rude people I'm seeing here. I certainly don't blame or condemn anyone for trying to be polite, but it might be working against you in some of these cases. Maybe you should be taking a firmer tact. After all, most rude people are only rude because they thing nobody's going to call them out on it.

<<snip>>

These people desperately need a wakeup call. Give them one. ;)

I agree completely. I've been in so many situations over the years in retail where I had no choice but to bite my tongue--just stand there and take it when they are being ignorant and obnoxious, or just totally unreasonable. I have not yet been in a situation where someone was rude or nasty to me when they mistook me for being an employee of the store I was shopping in. I have, however, had many different instances where they did ask me something thinking that I work there. They will usually just walk away or else apologize

I'm almost tempted to start dressing up to look similar to an employee of a few different stores just to see if I can get a rude person to go off on me so I can put them in their place, but that wouldn't be ethical, would it?:D

[LostMyMind]

I'm almost tempted to start dressing up to look similar to an employee of a few different stores just to see if I can get a rude person to go off on me so I can put them in their place, but that wouldn't be ethical, would it?:D
Go ahead, as long as you buy something when you leave those stores. You were there to shop. It was pure chance that another "customer" harassed you :devil:

[WHShit]

Ok, I was in Boots again and looking at makeup AGAIN (hey, they have all the good stuff like Max Factor on sale down to £2!). I have my purse and a drink in my hand.

This old lady comes up to me with a lipstick (a cheapo stay-on lipstick) and says "do these really work"? I said "sorry, I don't work here". She said sorry and went on her way. I felt bad, cause she was a sweet old lady, so I went up to her and told her that I use the stay-on stuff alot and that the one she had did not work, but I went through the ones that did and she was so nice and grateful! She ended up buying a Lipfinity by Max Factor....even though it was bright pink! It made me feel good to help her, even though I was not a worker and on my break.

I saw her in front of WHShit while I was smoking and she waved at me! It was ok...she was a nice SC! LOL:o

[Mixed Bag]

Great mitzvah for a day off--you'll get yours! Good thing she wasn't being helped by someone with bad advice or you'd be faced with an SE for stepping in. :respect:

Nonemployees helping...the first step in victory over control freaks!

[CaroPhoenix]

I actually had a near-miss last night at the local Best Buy.

Hubby, daughter & I went to Best Buy last night to buy some cable cords, an HDMI thingee and a new DVD player (bought a few other items too now that I think about it, but anyways.)

I was pushing said daughter in the shopping buggy & I was talking to her when I looked up and saw some woman eyeing me, giving me this really confused look and looked like she wanted to ask me a question, I smiled, looked down at daughter and said: "Is this scrunchie bluuuuuue? Noooooo!" And the woman walked right past me.

BTW, I was wearing a turquoise, pull-over t-shirt and peddle pusher pants!

I don't konw if it counts 'cos she didn't actually *ask* if I were an employee, but she had that glazed look that most SCs have.

[Tanizaki]

This is my story.

My dad is a store manager for Eckerd Drug Store.

I would go to visit him often since our work schedules usually didn't allow for us to get together. Their uniform at the time was a navy blue polo style shirt and khaki pants. I never worked for them, but I was at his store a lot so I did help him while I was there. This day I was wearing a light blue polo shirt and khakis.

Well this day was my day. My dad was busy staightening the magazine rack that was down the aisle in the store. I was kinda half-helping him while reading a few of them. He got called to the front. The whole time he was there, there was a lady standing about 10 feet away. Now she comes up, Of Course.

SC-Stupid Stuckup Customer
ME- me

[snip]

Good little afternoon chuckle.

CM

Forgive me, but you are in a store wearing clothes easily mistaken for the store's uniform and were engaging in work. Why do you feign offense and surprise when you are mistaken for an employee?

Next week, maybe you can throw on your Cubs uniform, head out to Wrigley Field, and start warming up your pitches in the bullpen during the 5th inning. Then, when you get asked to close the game, you can throw a hissy fit, "I DON'T WORK HERE! I JUST LIKE TO WEAR THESE CLOTHES!"

[Ree]

There was a nicer way to word that, Tanizaki.

I agree that it seems odd to be amused that a customer mistook Confuzed-Monkey for an employee when he was wearing clothes similar to the uniform and helping out, but there was no need to be so sarcastic.

Confuzed-Monkey was not throwing a hissy fit or even complaining. He just found it amusing.
I think you owe him an apology.

[Tanizaki]

There was a nicer way to word that, Tanizaki.

I agree that it seems odd to be amused that a customer mistook Confuzed-Monkey for an employee when he was wearing clothes similar to the uniform and helping out, but there was no need to be so sarcastic.

Confuzed-Monley was not throwing a hissy fit or even complaining. He just found it amusing.
I think you owe him an apology.

If he wants an apology, that's for him to decide. It seems to me that if we can dish it out, we should be able to take it.

[kibbles]

I agree, I don't think Confuzed-Monkey threw a fit of any kind. He only mentioned to the SC that this was the clothes he liked wearing because the SC said that he shouldn't be wearing those clothes.

I'm sure Confuzed-Monkey never woke up that day, thinking of what clothes would confuse the most customers. He also seemed to be pretty civil to a person who was basically trying to tell him what he should be wearing :)

JMO,

Kibbles

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I agree. In fact, I got from the story that Confused Monkey wasn't offended or rude at all. I even went back and re-read it and I am a little taken aback that anyone would read that into it.

What part of that story led you to think he could dish it out but not take it? He seemed pretty good natured about the whole encounter to me.:headscratch:

[zeoquean]

One day I was in the casino about an hour and a half out of town with my boyfriend, and I was walking by myself to play some slots (we tend to split up in the places that we know like this place). I was wearing my blue "Save the Manatee Club" shirt and ratty jeans and sandals. Someone came up to me and asked me if I could fill their machine because the hopper was empty. I had to tell them that I didn't work there, and even if I did, I wouldn't be able to open any machine because I didn't have any keys. I know that the people that work there have blue shirts on, and BLACK pants, but geez...my blue shirt wasn't even close to that color blue, or even the same sort of style...(their blue shirts don't have "Save the Manataee Club" on them, for one). I thought it was humorous. Then I considered getting a job there, lol.

[squall]

If he wants an apology, that's for him to decide. It seems to me that if we can dish it out, we should be able to take it.

I don't mean to call you out directly, but it seems to me that you are being a little indignant. Confuzed-Monkey didn't sound frazzled to me, it didn't sound like he intended to play games with the lady. An apology beforehand is more sincere than being prompted for one.

[Ree]

I don't mean to call you out directly, but it seems to me that you are being a little indignant.It's a moot point now, though, since the person to whom your comment is addressed is no longer a member here.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

But their avatar now rocks.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

The uniform for my store used to be a red polo shirt or a red t-shirt, and a pair of khakis. As it turns out, this is the same uniform for Target.

One day I had a short shift at my store and after I was done I ran to Target while still in my work clothes.

I got quite a few people asking me where various things were in Target. I told them I didn't work there; I had come from my store which, coincidentaly, had a similar uniform.

They all understood and left me alone without further questions. The uniform at my store has since changed, so it is no longer similar to Target's, but I still make sure to change out of my work clothes before going there.

[Barefootgirl]

But their avatar now rocks.

A similar one for you can be arranged

*tries to look threatening*

*fails*

*looks constipated instead*

[WHShit]

AGAIN!!! It has happened again!

Today, I am on my lunch and at a grocery store looking in the bakery. Now, as usual, I have my big purse with me and look like I am shopping.

Anyway, I am looking at cakes and pastries,and the lady next to me keeps saying "excuse me" and "help", so I look over. She seems to be looking past me so I ignore her (nothing seems THAT wrong to where she should be saying "help") and continue picking out my yummy treat:D (lol). She starts huffing and puffing and saying "excuse me" again.

I pick out a vanilla custard danish (ooh yeah), put it into a baggie and start walking to the register to pay. I see her go to the counter in the bakery and look around. She starts YELLING "excuse me, I need help"! So, naturally, I turn around to see what she is yelling about. She seems to just be trying to get an employee to help her, so I turn around and start to walk to the register again and she shouts "you"!

I turn around and she shuffles up to me and starts to ask me how she pays for a cake if she takes one in a bag. She asks if she has to print a label out herself or if they just charge her at the till. I said "excuse me"?

At this point, and still, I am not sure if she thought I worked there or if she thought I was just a customer.

I go to ask her if she thinks I work there, but she cuts me off. She starts asking about labels again, so to shut her up, I said that I always just bring it up to the till and pay. She said "is that how they do it now"? and "are you sure"? I said "as far as I know, okaaayyy"?

Then I left...and was confused. What the hell was she on about? She must have thought I worked there...if not then she is just an annoying horrid person!!! I really wanted to shake her and tell her to shut the hell up and that I DID NOT WORK THERE...I just wanted a custard danish!!!!!:confused:

[Onte]

Custard danish sounds goooood!

You must look like a very, very helpful person! :lol: How does one look helpful? I do not know!

[kerrisan]

I have a (kind of) opposite story.

A little background: I'm about the height of your average 10-year-old: 5'1".

I was doing returns and as I was walking down the end of an aisle I saw this little girl run my direction from inside the aisle. I went into the aisle to put whatever I had away (I think it was flour) and this random woman WHEELS AROUND ON HER FEET AND GRABS MY UPPER ARM and screams in my face, "I told you to stay next to me!!!!" Freaked me the :censored: out!!! Then the lady looked absolutely mortified that she had grabbed a grown woman (though I don't look it) by the arm (let alone an employee) and screamed. She appoligized profusely, but for some reason I didn't want to let it go. Usually I'll let a slip-up go, but . . . my personal space (and dignity, for that matter) had just been violated! I just walked/ran away from her without saying a word, doing a glance over my shoulder to give her a "holy crap, lady!" frightened look. Later than night I saw her and her daughter come to my line for checkout and I just stared quietly (same look as before) at her the whole time, only speaking to her if I needed to ("Paper or plastic?"). I don't know what would have happened if she had said she needed help out to her car!

I know I should have been more gracious, but I really felt violated!!! :cry:

[WHShit]

Custard danish sounds goooood!

You must look like a very, very helpful person! :lol: How does one look helpful? I do not know!


Yes.....I MUST look helpful! Although, I usually walk around with a scowl on my face. I am one of those people that strangers tell to "smile". LOL!:lol:

[Mixed Bag]

I know I should have been more gracious, but I really felt violated!!! :cry:

:hug: Just read Kusanagi's assault--:grats: to you both for the way you handled it.

When I imagined what you and the woman must have been feeling as I was reading that, it occurred to me that you might want to submit that to publications or organizations that are parenting resources; it might push a few indignant parents to reconsider the appropriatness of their quick expressions of anger. (I'm not sure the best place to submit it to, but I bet others have ideas, and your doing it yourself might make you feel better).

[kerrisan]

. . . it occurred to me that you might want to submit that to publications or organizations that are parenting resources; it might push a few indignant parents to reconsider the appropriatness of their quick expressions of anger. (I'm not sure the best place to submit it to, but I bet others have ideas, and your doing it yourself might make you feel better).

Thanks for the hugs! And you know, that submission idea sounds like a good one. I might try Parenting magazine; maybe they will do an article or something about the dangers of acting on impulse: how it can be dangerous for your children . . . or embarrassing for you! :lol:

. . . although in hindsight, I really could have (and should have) handled it better. I guess I really just wanted to guilt-trip this lady for acting on impulse or something. I don't know why I couldn't just let it go then. One of my lower points as an employee, but now that I think of it it was also near the end of my employment with Kroger. ;)

[Cia]

Kerrisan I think that you handled the incident quite well. Personally I think that I would have punched the woman.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Yes.....I MUST look helpful! Although, I usually walk around with a scowl on my face. I am one of those people that strangers tell to "smile". LOL!:lol:

Same here. :lol: I only usually smile at work... cuz they make me! <_<

[Broomjockey]

This just happened yesterday, and I thought it was entirely too funny to keep to myself.

Yesterday I went out to spend some time with my dad. I was wearing my black jeans and a nice blue polo-t-shirt thingy (I'm fashion inept. So sue me :p ). We hit a couple stores, then we decide to go to best buy. We walk in, I look at the associate standing at the door, then look at my shirt. Crud. Same colour, and style. Slap a logo on me and I work here. I joke to my dad that at least one person is gonna think I work here.

I go to look at the new releases, a random guy walks up, also looking at the new releases, and asks "Do you guys have the new season of deadwood? I thought I saw it here earlier."

I reply, "I'm sorry, I don't work here"

Him: Wha? *looks at shirt* Oh, man, I'm sorry. I guess I'm gonna have to start looking for logos"

Me: No problem. I knew it was gonna happen as soon as I walked in.

And with a big grin on my face, I turn to find my dad about 20 ft away and call over "I told you it was gonna happen!" and point at the guy.

We all had a decent laugh over it. :)

[Mike Taylor]

Why they think it is acceptable to approach me while I'm wearing cut-off jean shorts, flip-flops, and a t-shirt (obviously not working) is beyond me.

Oh, that's right, I forgot...

...they are Customers.

...:eek:

They also don't seem to understand that doing work off the clock is against the law and that you employer can get into a lot of trouble.

[dragonflygrrl]

Yesterday evening after work I had an "I don't work here," moment. To start with, my store has a uniform shirt, which clearly has the logo of our store embroidered on it. It looks nothing like the smocks worn by the employees of my local grocery store, which I stopped at last night after work. Nonetheless, some woman came storming up to me with a dozen eggs last night and said, "Half these eggs are broken!" I smiled confusedly and said, "Well, that sucks!" Then I continued with my shopping. It never ocurred to me that she was telling me this for any reason. She followed after me, yelling, "Excuse me!" Finally, I stopped, looked at her and said, in a very exasperated tone, "What?!" She thrust the eggs in my face again and said, "Half of these eggs are broken!" I was at a loss why this unpleasant woman was insisting I care about her eggs, and said, "Yes, you've said that already. And?" She said, "Well, I have never been treated like this before in my life." I said, "Well, you're due, if you behave like this in public." Then it hit me. She had decided that shirt with embroidery=employee, and was telling me about those eggs because she thought I was being paid to care about them. I quickly disabused her of that notion, pointing out that any idiot could see that the logo on my shirt was for a cell phone store, and besides, why would an employee be pushing a frigging cart and filling it with food? She stared at me for a beat, and then said, "Well, how am I supposed to know what you people do?":salmon:

[RecoveringKinkoid]

"Well, how am I supposed to know what you people do?"

I think I might have wanted to ask her what people would that be, exactly? Seeing as how I didn't work there and all. What a clueless moron.

[air914]

"Well, how am I supposed to know what you people do?"

I think I might have wanted to ask her what people would that be, exactly? Seeing as how I didn't work there and all. What a clueless moron.

Totally what I was thinking!!! I'd be like "excuse me, and just "what people" is that??" - Sounds like she's someone who hasn't ever worked and is saying "you people" like "you people that have to work for money when i just got it handed to me and inherited"

[repsac]

I posted this anon on Retail-Sucks. (someone remind me to get a new password there).

This one occured to me some years ago while working as management in a retail store. First, some background. I worked for a company called "Moore's." I have no problem saying their name since the company was bought out last year. Now it's something entirely different. At the time, Moore's policy was for management to all wear the following "uniforms". Khaki's (I was the only person in the company allowed to wear cords due to a funky pant size), dress shoes, dress shirt (preferably with a T shirt), and a tie. This was standard save for once in a blue moon when we'd have a casual day.

Now, typically, I closed on Friday and Saturday. To be quite honest, Saturdays were my favorite closing days, usually ended up with overtime due to counting lay aways or something. Back to my story.

One Saturday night, I remember closing my store and heading off to home. We were closed Sunday, and I had Monday off for some reason. Halfway home, I remembered something I needed from Wally World; and since they were open 24 hours I opted to go then. Besides, at midnight at Wal-mart, you see some of the funniest things.

Walking through the door, I proceeded to head down in the general direction of toys. My idea, was to take a short cut to automotive, and maybe see if a girl I fancied was working. As I approached their pet dept, I heard this woman saying something to the effect of "Sir?" over and over. Looking around, I supposed she didn't mean me, and needed an associate to help. Shrugging it off I started walking away; only to have this lady grab my arm and pull back hard.

Looking at me with pure venom in her eyes she spat, "SIR! Don't walk away from me. I need help!" Disengaging myself from her I blinked. "Then find someone." I said testily. Needless to say, I do not like being grabbed. Turning to walk off again she grabbed, this time harder. "I NEED HELP!" she says again, gripping tight enough to leave marks.

Snatching my arm from the woman I said simply. "Leave me alone. Go find someone that works here." Apparently, she didn't hear that; or thought I meant that dept. Walking away, I soon found myself in the electronics dept talking to the store manager. (Ok, night manager. Same difference).

I was telling him what happened, and even getting a bit of a laugh out of it, when I saw her come around a corner. "Oh no. It's her." I said to him, to which the guy responded. "I'll take care of this." Yes, I knew what that meant. He had told me just prior to that, that if he could find out who it was, he would ban them from his store for assaulting customers. YAY! I was gonna get to watch the fun.

She waddled up with the dirtiest, ugliest, look imaginable. Pointing at me as her husband stood smugly behind her she screamed at the manager. "I want him fired! I'll never shop here again unless you fire him. I'm so and so, I know such and such. I've already called your customer service line."

Looking back at me, he winked, and then nodded. "I plan to do something about it." he said to her, to which she beamed at me. Looking at her he gestured one of the other managers over and dropped the bomb. "Escort these people out of the store after you take their picture with the polaroid. If they're seen in here again, I want them arrested for criminal tresspass."

This seemed to take the wind from her sails. She and her husband started on, talking about how bad Wal-mart was and such. Clearing my throat, I walked closer, pulled out my Moore's name tag and said quote. "I don't work here!"

epilogue:

Speaking with that manager recently, he told me that she had called the customer service line. At first the manager got a real berating from his boss until he told the whole story.

He works for another company now, but I often wonder if that woman and her husband ever shopped at Wal-mart again. Further, I wonder if every time they ask for help, they ask first "Do you work here?"

[CrazedClerk]

I was in a Wal-Mart once wearing a light blue sweater, of course most Wal-Mart employees wear blue vests. A customer, I guess saw a blue mass and assumed and asked me questions about a certain product. I said I really didn't know much about. She replied "don't you work here?" and I smiled and said "nope, I was just trying to be helpful".

Now she was very courteous in how she asked, if the person had been an ass about it, I wouldn't have bothered.

[Jester]

Where is this? US? UK? It ummmm.... sounds like a very interesting place.

It is a very interesting place. It is, nominally, in the U.S. I say nominally, because many people who are natives or who have lived her for awhile barely consider this a part of the U.S. I myself often tell people: "I have been to three countries: Mexico, the U.S., and Key West!"

One guess which one is the tropical island tourist mecca I live and work in. :D

[repsac]

Don't forget the "North Florida Territories." (South Georgia)

[ladydouji]

I had my first "do you work here?" today. I was at Bed Bath and Beyond, pushing a cart, wearing faux combat boots, red/black stripey socks, knee length black skirt and a tank top that says "You don't need to look at my chest. These are not the breasts you're looking for. Move along" Woman comes up to me and asks "Where are your slipcovers?" My brain shortcircutted because all I could do was give her a "WTF are you asking me for?" look before she actually asked if I worked there. I said no and continued on my way, stiffling giggles.

[Binky]

OMG YES....ALWAYS...when I worked at K-mart I used to go to the targetthat was on the floor below when I finished...Target wer red...I'm wearing BLACK....I have a jacket on, I'm holding a drink and a bag of food in my hand, with my bag slung over one shoulder, I'm looking at books and I get a customer come up to me and
SC: "do you work here??.....(I go to reply)...I've been waiting for AGES, are your just STANDING there doing NOTHING!!!"

Me: ummmm I don't WORK here

SC: YES YOU DO!! Don't LIE to me..I was JUST talking to you

(I had in fact talked to them...WHEN I was working IN K-mart....)

Me: Yes, but I don't work HERE! You spoke to me what I actully WAS at my work

SC: :confused: Can you help me anyways?

Me: NOPE..and I walk off

I've also got the do you work here? and I'm STANDING BEHIND the counter, with a apron on stating the name of the complex, and I've just finshed wit ha customer..."umm no I don't, I just really liked the apron and decided to wear it everyday, and I'm just looking into the regester to see how much money they have here...." MORON

[Jester]

I was at Bed Bath and Beyond, pushing a cart, wearing faux combat boots, red/black stripey socks, knee length black skirt and a tank top that says "You don't need to look at my chest. These are not the breasts you're looking for. Move along"

A tank top that combines Star Wars and breast ogling. :yourock: :worship: :worship: :worship:

[ladydouji]

A tank top that combines Star Wars and breast ogling. :yourock: :worship: :worship: :worship:


Thanks, I love that tanktop and it's always fun to catch people reading it(even people who you know don't typically stare at chests) ^__^

[Pagan]

a tank top that says "You don't need to look at my chest. These are not the breasts you're looking for. Move along"

Might I ask where you got it? I would love to have one!

[ladydouji]

Might I ask where you got it? I would love to have one!

I got it at an anime convention, not sure if the seller has a website or not.

[SuperDan]

a tank top that says "You don't need to look at my chest. These are not the breasts you're looking for. Move along"

Your Jedi mind tricks will not work on me :angel:

[wagegoth]

Since I left retail I seem to have lost the helpful vibe. But last night, while shopping at the sewing and crafts store, a woman suddenly said, "Where are the beads?"

I had my back turned, had a cart, and was comparing items. Obviously, I must work there.

I turned and said, "I'm sorry. I have absolutely no idea."

She looked startled, then said, "Oh, you don't work here."

I award her 2 points for dropping her request for help and leaving me alone.

[moekosowl]

I had one of these just today.

Our heroine is at the customer service station of the u-check section of the local grocery writing a check.

Sucky customer comes up to me and says "Excuse me, where are *random item I've never heard of*

I say: "Um, I don't work here..." The cashier tells her what aisle the random item is on. Customer departs.

I turn to the cashier and say "You know, I guess a blue and white peasant blouse looks an awful lot like a red jacket and gray pants." She laughed.

[Tejas]

Yesterday i was on set, and had a suit on as part of something my charicter is going through on ramsey street. anyway, i had 3 hours off, so i decided to go and order that laptop i have been lusting over (17 inch 2.16 Ghz Intel core duo Macbook pro for those who are into such things) I drove to the apple store and was looking at games first for my crappy laptop, and someone walked over with OS X Tiger in there hand and asked me if it would work with there G3 desktop. I said to them that i didn't work there, but it would.

they appologised, but i told them it was ok. In my experiance the people that work at some of the apple stores are halfwits. i can't wait for an apple owned store to open out here.

[norrina]

Might I ask where you got it? I would love to have one!

Try this website: http://paizo.com/store/apparel/tShirts/pegasusPublishing/v5748btpy7rom

Although the product appears to be backordered.

There is also an "abridged" version here: http://www.cafepress.com/52tease.67291981

[CritterGirl]

I've had this happen at least 2 times I can currently recall.

I worked at a smallish, but corporately-owned theater for a while. Had it's own building, just kind of in the middle of a shopping center. I had walked over to a Taco Bell for my meal break, and was actually sitting down eating my dinner when some customer came up to complain to me about something. I gave her the seriously confused look and told her I didn't work there...

I'm still not sure how my shirt may have appeared to say "Taco Bell" on it somewhere when instead it really had a character of a bag of popcorn.

Most recently, I walked into Target on my way home from the petstore. I was still in my khaki pants and blue polo. I got asked TWICE within 5 minutes if I knew where something was. I dunno... for as long as *I* can remember, Target people have always worn red shirts. Oh yeah, and that's the easiest way to get taken for a Target employee... just walk in wearing a red shirt.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Anyone still got that Improv Everywhere link? :lol:

[JustAGirl]

a simple google search for 'improv everywhere':

http://www.improveverywhere.com/

:);)

[Pagan]

Thanks, norrina! I'll have to get one of those. Told one of the guys at work what it said and he almost fell over laughing!

[draftermatt]

I've only been asked twice. Sitting in the waiting area of the shop where my friend works. We had been hanging out since it was slow and some people came in. He got up to help them, I sat around. Lady came up to me and told me I should be helping out too. "Ma'am I don't work here"

At my Grandmother's 80th birthday party, at a banquet hall I'm in black dress pants, white shirt, black tie. Guy comes in and asks me where the manager is. I kinda point towards the kitchen and go "back there I assume" he looks at me and says "You don't work here?"

[Retail's Bitch]

Here's a question...

Should I be able to say to my host store customers that I don't work there? I work in the portrait studio. I don't have anything to do with the host store. I don't get paid by them, I don't get trained by them. I only rent essentially a square of carpet in the far corner of the store to put a camera on to shoot portraits.

Yet when I go and flyer the store (hand out flyers) I get stopped constantly by people asking questions about products and policies that i know nothing about.

I was harassed in the lunch room a few weeks back by other host store employees - whining about how they were so short on cashiers. And I got cornered by about 3 of them. While I'm trying to peacefully eat my lunch and read my book.

"Are you cash trained?!"

"What?"

"Are you cash trained? Why don't you go and help the One Hour Photo when it's busy?"

"Umm... Well I'm not cash trained."

"But you work your till don't you?"

"I take portraits and ring them into the till yes."

"Then you're cash trained. Why aren't you helping out the One Hour Photo when they're busy!?"

"Because I don't know how to run your tills. I wasn't trained on your tills. I don't work for your store."

"Oh. Well I still think you should help them when they're not busy!"

*head desk*

[RecoveringKinkoid]

If you rent from the store, then you are essentially a type of customer, I would think. Point this out to them, and then ask why they are singling you out from all the other customers. Why aren't they recruiting other customers to run the tills? Why you?

Geez, even the other employees are sucky. Suckiness is epidemic. They KNOW you dont' work there, yet are harassing you during your lunch to work there anyway?:eek: Tell them "I don't work here. Your store does not pay me to come in here. I pay them to come in here. I don't run your tills or help your customers. Why are you hassling me?"

[Rapscallion]

Do they ever help you when you're overly busy?

Do they expect to pay you extra for your flexibility?

Thought not.

Rapscallion

[Retail's Bitch]

Do they expect to pay you extra for your flexibility?

Rapscallion

And well considering that I can put my ankles in behind my head... You'd think they would!!! LOL :lol:


Mind.... in gutter... where it belongs...

[Rapscallion]

Damn - if I hadn't had that cough when I was over...

You could have taught me how to do that.

Rapscallion

[staticradio]

I got that while shopping at a competitor wearing my work shirt ..."Hi, where are your..." (turns and points at company name)...and she still was confused. Like you don't grasp the names of places you shop at all the time? damn...here's your HI, I'M NEW TO ALL OF THIS wave of approval :wave: ...

[Misanthropical]

My husband does not work retail, but he wears business casual to work. I can not tell you guys how many times I have been pushed out of the way, had someone walk in front of me, or interupt me speaking to him to ask him where something is in a store. :mad:

I had one woman try to get me fired for refusing to help her, in a store I have never worked in. The clues that I didn't work there should have been that I was wearing a floppy hat, a Hershey kiss t-shirt, jean shorts and flip flops, but it took the manager telling her that he couldn't fire me since I don't work there and never have. :rolleyes:

[traylk]

I HATE this! I swear if you work in any kind of a service field this happens to you. It's almost like we give off a scent or something that causes SC's to run to us for help. Reguardless of the fact we are in our sweats with bed head. I have gotten this at almost every shop I frequent.

[RogueOne]

I still get this sometimes and I haven't been in retail in YEARS.


"Lemme see, Jose Cuervo t-shirt and ripped jeans=sure I work at Best Buy"

[Jester]

The last few times something like this has happened to me was when I was at a restaurant or bar applying for a job, and so was well-dressed. And apparently looked like host or (the gods forbid) management!

One day I really really want someone to bother me about something in a store I don't work in on a day I am in one of my patented cranky moods. One of those days where my own mother wouldn't call me out of fear of her life. One of those days.

Please, customer hordes, make it happen. Only one of you need die. :devil:

[danegrous_21]

first of all, i know the thread is mega old, but this happen to me everytime i walk into my store, with regualr clothes on. like yesterday with the nationwide cold front(even in deep south texas where i am) im wearing a UT hoodie and jeans with some holes and i cut the bottom for boot splits. i look nothing like the khaki and red shirt uniform. i dont even think i had my hair combed, just used the hand comb. this usually happens when im going threw our footwear dpt(since that dept and the break and training room are in the same vincinty. they ask me if i work here. im looking around for the footwear people but to no avail. so i say yes, technically. i started telling people i do, but im off. but im a nice person and will help you. sigh.

[Dave1982]

I have gotten this several times when going into other stores wearing my Staples shirt and nametag (I don't like taking my nametag off if I don't have to, because i don't want to lose it). Actually got an SC (sort of) once. I was in teh Movies and Music section at Barnes & Noble, having just gotten off work. I was looking afor a birthday present for someone, and a woman stops me to ask what song is playing on the overhead.

Me: I haven't the foggiest idea.......(saying it in a complete "I don't give a flying ****" tone)

SC: well there's no reason to be RUDE about it! Where's the manager?!

Me: How the hell should i know? I DON'T WORK HERE LADY!

SC: Well how was I supposed to know that?

Me: You don't want me to answer that *I walk right out the door*


I've also gotten hits at the local supermarket (they wear blue aprons and jackets; I am in a red polo shirt. HELLO!!!!!!)

Idiot: Excuse me, where is the Astroglide? (Not really what she asked for ;))

Me: Try asking someone who WORKS here. I dont' have a clue.

Idiot: oh......sorry

Oddly enough, I have gone through Target (red shirts) in my uniform (also red) several times and have yet to be asked anything (knock on wood).

Oh, and just today I was at the store I used to work at to talk to my uncle (who still works there) and he told me two people complained about me. HUH?! I DON'T WORK THERE ANYMORE! Apparently, they thought it was inappopriate of me to complain about SCs while I was there. I musthave struck a nerve with a couple SCs who happened to be listening. ;)

[Confuzed-Monkey]

WOW,

I hadn't looked at this thread in a long time.

I had no idea that I had been "Called Out" like that. LOL:roll:
(Pages

To all of those people who came to my defense, I really appreciate it.

It just goes to show that this forum is privy to alot of intelligent people, decent people.

THANK YOU ALL.


Afternote.... Like I said earlier, those were the types of clothes I liked to wear. It just happened that I was wearing blue that day, when I went to see him.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Okay. K-mart last night. I was wearing a pair of khaki jeans, a white blouse with ruffled sleeves, a coral colored suede jacket and a pair of docs. I had a shopping list in my hand and was looking at dolls in the toy section.

Sure enough, a lady came up and asked it I worked there. :rolleyes: I just said "No." and she wandered off.

This was the same Kmart where my earlier "biker gets asked if he works here" story took place.

Nothing sucky, really, but like I said. It happens almost EVERY time I go in there.

[shenzee]

On Black Friday, Meijer's was selling their artificial trees for 40% off. I was trying to scan one to make sure it was the right brand of tree for the discount before I waited in a long line at the register only to find out it's the wrong brand and therefore full price.

So I'm hefting this huge bulky box up, trying to scan it and obviously struggling because I couldn't hold it steady long enough for the computer to scan it. In the back of my mind, I hear a tinny voice in my ear-

SC: Excuse me!
Me: Hmmm? <still struggling, not wanting to turn head lest I drop box>
SC: Hello- excuse me!!!
Me: Yes? <thinking to myself Jesus lady I'm busy here!>
SC: <pokes me in the shoulder> Hey, I'm talking to you!
Me: <finally drops box and turns to her> Jesus What?!!?
SC: Well, excuse me, but I just thought that a paying customer should be able to use that scanner before an employee (voice dripping with disdain at that)!
Me: <looks down at my clothes, sees a pair of blue jeans, flip flops and OCC t shirt> You think a Meijers' employee dresses like this??
SC: You don't work here? Hmpf, well are you done with the scanner??

Me: :jawdrop:

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I am just waiting for the day someone treats me like this. It hasn't happened yet. But I am sure my day is coming. A lot of clueless people approach me, and bother me, but nothing sucky enough to warrant me being nasty.

Someone does something lke this to me and we will have a nice little Come To Jesus meeting. If I am forced into a confrontation with a jerk, I WILL get my money's worth out of it. :devil:

[Hemily]

i'm a heavily built guy, a long beard, sometimes braided, i wear t-shirts with kitties or tigers on, often a shirt with some silly or cool patterns on, even sometimes pink shirts, and usually some slightly baggy pants that doesen't fall off, still, i've been poked and asked to help them find stuff... on vecation...

Lady:*poke*"where is the milk?"
me:"i have no idea miss"
Lady:"what a strange accent you have.... foreign?"
me:"no..."
*lady walks off mumblign about foreigners*

i'm norwegian, i was still in norway, however, some places manage to think my accent is swedish...
and i'm really curious of wich super markets have pink shirts and kitty t-shirts as their uniform...

[shelly2jn]

Me: <finally drops box and turns to her> Jesus What?!!?
SC: Well, excuse me, but I just thought that a paying customer should be able to use that scanner before an employee (voice dripping with disdain at that)!
Me: <looks down at my clothes, sees a pair of blue jeans, flip flops and OCC t shirt> You think a Meijers' employee dresses like this??
SC: You don't work here? Hmpf, well are you done with the scanner??


I get this all the time where I work....customers will try to butt in front of staff members who are on a break and trying to get a sandwich and juice from the kiosk. They think the staff should just step aside and let them go first....jeez if we did that, no one would get fed all the staff would starve to death and then who is going to serve them and pander to their ever increasingly outrageous demands!

[ditchdj]

I get this all the time where I work....customers will try to butt in front of staff members who are on a break and trying to get a sandwich and juice from the kiosk. They think the staff should just step aside and let them go first....jeez if we did that, no one would get fed all the staff would starve to death and then who is going to serve them and pander to their ever increasingly outrageous demands!

Hey didnt someone on here say that you guys were just mindless, programmable robots that dont need food or breaks and can be summoned at anyone's beck and call no matter what??? :lol:

[Lace Neil Singer]

This happened yesterday. It's my day off, and I had nothing planned cept for having my hair done, so I'm dressed in black trousers, trainers, a Bon Jovi t-shirt, Emily Strange scarf and Slipknot hoodie. After my hair appointment, I decided to nip down to the local co-op for magazines; only to have a woman tap me on the shoulder while looking at said magazines. "Where's the milk?" Me: "Use your eyes and look." Her: "I'm telling the manager about your poor attitude." Me: "Knock yourself out." Apparently she hadn't heard that saying before; she went to complain to the manager about me not only being rude, but telling her to go hurt herself. Said manager nearly bust a gut with trying not to laugh as he told her I didn't work there. I would love to know why she thought my slobby ensemble was the uniform of co-op tho. :lol:

[CherryB]

I flew back home last week for a visit. A friend of mine from years back passed away last August, so I wanted to visit her grave and pay my respects. Since I didn't know where her grave was located I stopped in at the office of the funeral home/cemetary place to get a map of her grave location. I am dressed in jeans, loafers, sweater and a purse over my shoulder. Standing in the front lobby. Just past me is a windowed office (entire wall is glass) and a lady sitting behind the desk wearing a dress and looking much like an employee of a funeral home. While I am waiting for the nice young man to go look up my friend's grave this woman breezes in, taps me on the shoulder and says "are you the receptionist?" I replied "No Ma'am (I am southern what can I say) I believe that lady sitting behind the desk in that glassed in office would the the receptionist if I were to make a guess."
Twit. I got the info from the nice young man and went to see my friend. She would have been amused.

[Arcade Man D]

I get these all the time. And if you interrupt me while I'm trying to enjoy a game, especially if I'm in the middle of playing whichever song on DDR I have yet to pass, you will feel my full wrath. Especially when I'm wearing my usual "I'm at the arcade on my time off" ensemble. A Tekken 5 T-Shirt, and a pair of jeans, or occasionally khakis.

Uniform is white dress shirt, black, charcoal, or navy slacks, black shoes, and red vest with company logo in huge letters on the back, and smaller letters over the chest pocket.

What's even better is that the employee on duty at the time is sitting behind the redemption counter ((depending on who it is, usually laughing his ass off at the whole situation.))

I did actually demand that one customer reimburse me the tokens he cost me for being a dumba** and not noticing the fact that I was playing a game, and nowhere near uniform, and thus clearly not working at the time.

((Yes, I know the thread is old, but we must bring it back!))

If you don't touch me to get my attention, aren't rude, or aren't interrupting my DDR/Tekken/really anything I'm concentrating on, I'll be nice, maybe even help, though I don't work at BB, CompUSA, Hot Topic ((actually got that one once. While I was wearing a hawaiian shirt. *shrugs*))

[Anakah]

My fiance and I were in Safeway (wearing black sweatshirts with skulls on them) shopping and we stopped in an isle. This old lady looks at my fiance and asks him where the chips are.

It was kind of funny because after she got a good look at him, she was like oops. I kind of laughed and pointed out where the chips were. If she was rude about it I'd tell her to kiss my butt but she was really nice and since I knew where the stuff was, I figured why not?

[Food Lady]

OK, I frequently shop at work after my shift, in my uniform. Sometimes I even have my nametag on and I don't always have a cart. And it's rare for anyone to ask me for help. Maybe I have the opposite of the helpful look. Or I just walk too fast for them.

[iradney]

Hahah, yesterday, The Tall One and I decided to go to the movies (Watched The Prestige - very very good!). So we get to the cinema and decide to use the "self service" kiosk. So the lady that was in front of us (for the manned kiosk) said kind of snottily "I'm still in the queue!" We looked at each other, and while TTO was organising our tickets, I explained to her that we're using the self service ticket kiosk. She immediatly perked up and I had to explain to her how to use it *sigh* Of course, none of the actual employees stepped in to assist so...
It's so self explanatory - choose a movie, choose a time, choose your seats, do you have any loyalty cards, choose your payment option. Oy! :)

[SCSlave]

I can't recall any time that I've been mistaken for an employee....damn it! I want a story!!! :cry:

[Ackee]

This happens to me all the time... I have no idea why, maybe I just attract the nutters.

Me: "I do not work here"
SC: "Are you sure?"
Me: "I am positive"
SC: "Can't you tell me where the kids clothes are anyway?"
Me: "I do not know where they are, I do NOT work here lady"
SC: "I want to get my shopping done, why won't you help me?"
Me: "What a surprise, I am trying to get my shopping done as well"
SC: "I am going to tell your manager how bad your customer service is"
Me: "Go to hell"
2 minutes later, the SC returns with the manager in tow and points to me and says how unhelpful and ruse I am and she want disciplibary action taken. The poor manager was trying his hardest to laugh, and I just started cackling like a hyena!

SC: "Can't you tell me anyway?"
Me: "My crystal ball is broken"
SC: "What is your name?"
Me: "Fairy Princess"
SC: "Show me your name tag"
Me: (turns to face her) "Are you still there, I thought I told you I didn't work here"
SC: "Why not?"

SC: "Aren't you going to show me where they are?"
Me: "Nope"
SC: "Why not?"
Me: "Because I do not work here"
SC: "So you won't help me with a bra fitting?"
Me: "Hell no!"
SC: "Are you sure you don't work here?"
Me: "I am 100% positive I do not work here, I never have worked here, and I never will"
SC: "Can't you help me with my bra fitting anyway?"

This is shocking, they should all be shot

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Got asked today in the shoe store.

I have to say, though, most of the people here are reasonably polite when they ask this, and some are embarassed when they find out they were mistaken and apologize.

Make no mistake, we do have some suck here, but nowhere NEAR the level of some of these stories.

Of course, you all realize I just jinxed myself....

[thewhatnow]

this is so funny! my boyfriend always gets asked if he works there when he goes to rever pass. he loves their stuff so he's always dressed in their clothes, and he does have that kind of "look" , I guess you could say. it's cute!

[uthdentroll]

one day i would do this to those people:
if they come up to me and ask me for help , I would help them..... sending them to wrong aisles or something like that.

[Lyger]

While I worked for a gas station, I stopped off one day at an arcade to let off some steam... and indeed, I did, for about ten minutes. Then a couple came up asking me if I worked there. Keep in mind that the official colors of this arcade were white, green, purple and blue. My uniform was black, yellow and red. I stuck out like a sore thumb (especially considering how good I am at those DDR games. :D), fairly obviously didn't work there, and I was interrupted by this couple not once, but twice... :confused:

If I said I didn't work here the first time, lady, I sure as hell don't when you ask me five minutes later! :cry:

Also, I once had to make a few runs to other gas stations of the same chain... that, I can understand someone thinking I worked at that particular station. But not when my uniform directly contrasts the interior of a building.

[Bella_Vixen]

Also, I once had to make a few runs to other gas stations of the same chain... that, I can understand someone thinking I worked at that particular station. But not when my uniform directly contrasts the interior of a building.

My uniform directly contrasts with the store I DO work in.

[scorpionf]

Well, it happened to me again on Thursday night, at Target... I was wearing blue jeans, a black WWE John Cena t-shirt, and ratty blue sneakers. (Target uniform is red shirt, black pants and black shoes).

Anyway, I was wandering around the electorics section, because I needed to buy an IPod to replace my now dead discman, and, well, this is how it went:

SC: Where is the stationary section?
Me: I don't know, I don't work here
SC: Are you sure?
Me: I think I would know if I worked here
SC: You should still help me, even if it is your day off!
Me: No I couldn't, because I don't know where the stationary section is and I have never worked at target!
SC: I'm going to report you to your manager, you are not giving good customer service
Me: Why should I you stupid bat?
SC: *storms off*

2 minutes later, I hear someone say "That's her", and I turn around, and there she is, with the manager, pointing me out as the rude and hostile employee, and she wanted something done about it.

The manager comes up to me, and tells me to go to the staffroom, so he can have a chat to me about my behaviour... So, I asked where the staffroom was, and he said I knew where it was, and to stop making things worst for myself.

I just said "I shall go and buy my IPod elsewhere, have a nice night" and wandered out the store, leaving the 2 of them standing there like the morons they are!

[CaroPhoenix]

The manager comes up to me, and tells me to go to the staffroom, so he can have a chat to me about my behaviour... So, I asked where the staffroom was, and he said I knew where it was, and to stop making things worst for myself.


Huh??? What??? *entire army of brain cells die and IDR falls over*

*gets back up* Ahem ... yes ... The *MANAGER* thought you were an employee!? Is he brain dead or does the Target have such a high turn over rate that he can't be sure of all his employees?

Good for you for going somewhere else! Maybe you should call corporate and tell them you don't appreciate being hasseled by their idiot manager? Don't know if they'd do something, but he might be put on notice the next time you come in.

[CRXPanda]

It's because you exist on earth to serve them. You don't have your "free" time or "off" time, because they are the customer and serving them is your JOB, it is what you get PAID TO DO, even if you aren't getting paid at the moment.

Believe me, they would call you at home if they got ahold of your phone number.


and they did...tis why my last name is no longer on my nametag...

[XCashier]

The *MANAGER* thought you were an employee!? Is he brain dead or does the Target have such a high turn over rate that he can't be sure of all his employees?

Good for you for going somewhere else! Maybe you should call corporate and tell them you don't appreciate being hasseled by their idiot manager? Don't know if they'd do something, but he might be put on notice the next time you come in.

If the turnover rate is that high, it's probably that manager's fault. Calling corporate and getting that jerk suspended or fired might make a world of difference for that store's employees.

[CRXPanda]

That's exactly why I used to refuse to give my last name if someone asked for it. Sure I ticked off a few people, but do you think that I care? I did not need them being able to look me up in the phone book.

has anyone dared ask what "their" last name was??? i bet they'd decline after a bit of :eek:

[toomanycalls1]

When I was working at catalog and credit at JCPenney's I was maid of honor in a wedding down the street. I was there with my brand new boyfriend (who is now my husband) and we decided to stop by on our from the wedding so my coworkers could see me in all my doodads and meet him.

A regular saw me come in and asked me to go get her order.

I said "I wish I could help you but I'm just stopping by to say hello. I'm not on the clock"

I was in not only a maid of honor dress but one for a formal wedding. My boyfriend was in a tuxedo.

She was quite put off and I told her that I am not able to get into the register when I'm not on the schedule.

On top of it there was not really a wait to get her order!

[FloridaLizardQueen]

I was once in Target shopping for some new clothes when a man asked me where something from the automotive department was. I just happened to be wearing a red shirt and red plaid pants that day. I told the man I don't work there, and he told me I shouldn't wear a red shirt in Target as it fools the other customers! WTF you idiot, telling me what I should and shouldn't wear???

[CRXPanda]

True...but I suspect she only told me because I happened to wander into the dairy section with my shopping cart, and she recognized me.

That bugs me too when people make a mess and leave it. Just tell someone, for crying out loud!!!

or they can act like real grown ups and clean their own mess. maybe thats what they fear, having to do their own cleanup

i know what the towel rollers are for on the wall! my mommy taught me to clean up my own boo-boos

some, i swear, must have their own official butt wiper

[Jester]

The manager comes up to me, and tells me to go to the staffroom, so he can have a chat to me about my behaviour... So, I asked where the staffroom was, and he said I knew where it was, and to stop making things worst for myself.

I just said "I shall go and buy my IPod elsewhere, have a nice night" and wandered out the store, leaving the 2 of them standing there like the morons they are!

I almost want to believe that you looked a lot like an actual staff member that worked there, and now that person, your double, is going to get all kinds of hell for the manager for doing something they didn't do.

Thing is, I think you should have told the manager that he was an idiot, as you didn't work there, and that he was now harrassing a customer! At least, I would have done that. But then, we all know I am a bit evil like that! :devil:

[rdp78]

Wow, scorpionf I can't believe that happen and that manager was a total idiot not to mention the SC. I think he probably mistaked you for an employee that looked like you and didn't even get a clue when you asked him where the breakroom was. Also he didn't say what the name of the employee he thought you were and so then that store might have a high turn over if he doesn't even know the employees names. I really hope you report him to corporate and he gets fired.

Anyway the funny thing is I've worn a red t-shirt (it was brick red) at Target before and I've never been mistaken for a employee. Anyway I've had few people asked me where stuff in stores I shop at and sometimes I was able to help them other times I just said "I didn't know." When I was on vacation I was mistaken as a employee at a nice restaurant, I was kind of dressed up and standing in the middle of the place so yeah I can see why someone would make that mistake but I think my brother was one you said I didn't work there.

[tollbaby]

teehee I ended up helping a lady at Michaels on Saturday (no, I don't work there). She had brought in a British size 2 knitting needle, and was trying to figure out what the equivalent American size was by sight... ugh. It looked like it would be between a 10 1/2 and an 11. (and no, she didn't think I did work there, she just latched onto the only other knitter in the store at the time LOL)

[toomanycalls1]

I also am an avid knitter and I will help someone at Michael's too.

I just finished a beautiful sweater that I look forward to work tomorrow because of since I get to wear it!

[bars.of.a.rhyme]

There are two times in which I was at Borders and I've been asked "Do you work here?" Both times I was wearing a shirt and a tie and I resisted the temptation to say "I am too well-dressed to be an employee." :D No offense if you work at Borders.

Yesterday when I was at Borders, someone asked me if I worked there, too.

The funny thing is that I do work at Borders, in the cafe. I had just walked out from behind the info desk, and I was in the middle of putting on my walkie. I was wearing all black (it's more coffee-stain-resistant than khaki) and my Seattle's Best apron, plus a big nametag that says "[MY NAME]" right above the word BORDERS.

Customer: "Do you work here?"
Me: *looks down at my outfit, then at the walkie, then at the customer* "...Yes, can I help you?"

and they did...tis why my last name is no longer on my nametag...

*jaw drop*

There's an awesome story in there somewhere, and you really need to post it if you haven't already.

[CRXPanda]

Originally Posted by CRXPanda

There's an awesome story in there somewhere, and you really need to post it if you haven't already.

Really not awesome. I was a PizzaHut manager, they wanted a date. They hit on me in the store, they called a few times at my house and then my phone was disconnected (I was pretty broke mostly back then), they would show back up at the store, but then I got transferred. Then I wrecked my only car, resigned because I couln't get to the new store, put all my stuff in storage, moved out (no job for rent), lived at a friends' 2 towns away and watched her kids for $$ to pay storage bill. It's a would-be stalker story, but I was in one of those "sorry POS times" in my life, and the lifestyle just made my blip leave his radar...at the right time.

[bars.of.a.rhyme]

It's a would-be stalker story, but I was in one of those "sorry POS times" in my life, and the lifestyle just made my blip leave his radar...at the right time.

I can't believe the guy actually had the nerve to call you at...

...wait. I believe it. Yeah.

That's wicked creepy.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

We had an "actor" (and believe me when I say I used that term very, very loosely) in the studio once for some show we were shooting and he was the most childish, unprofessional asshat I've think we'd ever had in the studio. And that's saying something (remind me to tell you all about the randy puppet that barely stopped short of dry humping our female guests sometime.) I assure you.

He WOULD NOT stick to script, whined, giggled, kept saying things like "Wow, I bet I'm really costing you guys some money with all the retakes, huh." Actually ended up getting out of there way later than we needed to because he wasted so much time screwing around.

Would you believe that sorry sumbitch actually had the berries to call up there the next day and try to get a date with one of they young women on the crew? One of the same women who'd had to put up with his stupidity and was late getting home because of him? :eek:

[Lace Neil Singer]

Today. Once again, dressed in my slobbing out outfit, cept this time I'm wearing a Marilyn Manson t-shirt. This woman comes up to me, goes "Can you tell me... oh, you don't work here." Surely the picture of Slipknot on the back of my hoodie should have told her that before she opened her trap? Please can someone tell me where this mythical workplace is that lets people wear their slobbing out gear? Cuz I really really really want to work there. :D

[MadMike]

Please can someone tell me where this mythical workplace is that lets people wear their slobbing out gear? Cuz I really really really want to work there. :D

Tell me about it.

Usually if I get asked, it's because I went shopping during my lunch or after work, and I was wearing my work clothes. But one time I got asked, and I was wearing jeans, sneakers, and a Slayer shirt. Go figure. :confused:

[Auto]

The manager comes up to me, and tells me to go to the staffroom, so he can have a chat to me about my behaviour... So, I asked where the staffroom was, and he said I knew where it was, and to stop making things worst for myself.

I just said "I shall go and buy my IPod elsewhere, have a nice night" and wandered out the store, leaving the 2 of them standing there like the morons they are!

That's when you go to the staff room and await the manager's wrath. Let the poor ass write you up.

[CRXPanda]

T...Please can someone tell me where this mythical workplace is that lets people wear their slobbing out gear? Cuz I really really really want to work there. :D

it's called the "Loss Prevention Department". When I worked for WalMart, our security guy would often dress in his most shitastic ensemble... and people would stop him for help...even with one of us blue-vested faries beside him!

Oh, and the truck crew could wear just about any crappy outfit (within reason), and often, vestless, for that annoying "uniform" would be a safety hazard by getting snagged on something (or the roller) so we would "forget" them in the back room.

so, it's all WalMart's fault!

[ArenaBoy]

Happened again at ANOTHER bookstore! Why is it always bookstores? I was in the music section just minding my business when a stereotypical suburban mom comes up to me and asks me a question about some CD she was buying for her daughter. Keep in mind that I am wearing a indie style t-shirt, a black jacket, a scarf, and some faded jeans and nowhere on me is a Barnes and Noble nametag. As I was walking around, the woman mutters excuse me numerous times, I'm thinking there might be someone who works there who she was trying to get their attention. At some point, she just yells excuse me in that bossy tone that some wield in their condecsending arsenal. I turn around and ask what she wants, she starts showing me the CD and what I thought of it and starts going on a rant about the CD until I cut her off tell her I don't work there and walk off. Wasn't enough for her, she keeps bugging me until I turned around told her that I don't work here, I said that I didn't have a nametag on me, pointed her to a clerk over there and was on my way.

Again: WHY IS IT ALWAYS BOOKSTORES!?!?!?!?

[Lyger]

Please can someone tell me where this mythical workplace is that lets people wear their slobbing out gear?
I'm on the recycling crew of my university, and I'm allowed to wear pretty much wherever I want... even dressed up as a goth/vampire dude during my shift on Halloween, and my boss was totally cool about it. :D