You can see that I'm on break

[ArenaBoy]

I'm sure at one point that we have dealt with people who can see that we are on break but still ask us questions. I had a guy ask me if there was any parking left (No, it's playoffs and you're here at halftime?) I pointed him out and went to my car to swear loudly about SCs who a) Should come early to get a good parking spot. b) When they can clearly see that I'm leaving and that I have food it means I'm off the clock.

[Lace Neil Singer]

When I was at the garden centre, I had to take my breaks at my till and lunch time at the coffee shop, cuz there was no staff room. At my till, it wasn't too bad as I could have my coffee and chocolate bar on the go in any case; however, if I was on lunch, my rule was that short of actual death, I was NOT to be disturbed under any circumstances. If a customer had a query, then I'd deal with it over the walkie talkie, but I wasn't going to budge til my lunch break was over. I only once had a customer bug me in the coffee shop; I told them politely but firmly that I wasn't being paid right now and I was off the clock til 1pm and that I'd come and help them then. They were moaning and groaning a bit, but I stuck to my guns and they had no choice but to leave.

[blas]

We didn't get breaks at the gas station. I thought for a while customers only did this to me because, well, customers seemed to be especially sucky to me (well no wonder, I was always sucky right back to them and never gave in to their entitled demands and didn't pamper them like spoiled babies the way my manager did).

Back on the subject now....we didn't get breaks, so we had to make our own breaks. Any time there were no customers were the times to smoke, eat, drink, or go potty. You had to plan out your time perfectly, because you also had to get your work done as well (before we had people to clean the store for us).

It never failed that an SC would riproar into the parking lot, and bark like a seal to whoever was working "Hahaha, ruined your smoke break!" or "No cigarette for YOU!" or "Haha, you gotta go back inside!".

They did it when I ate as well. "Haha, no break for you!" "You gotta put that down!".........

I always wanted to reply, "No, it's time for YOU to go to Holiday and let me finish my damn sandwhich. I haven't eaten in 4 hours because we were the only gas station to not raise gas prices today, I was slammed all damn night with paranoid customers, and now, when I finally get a chance to eat, you show up and start laughing at the fact that I have to put my food down and serve you, like it's funny. How would you like me to bust into your work and laugh at you when I disturb your lunch? Oh wait, that's right, you DON'T work! Now either get something or get out."

Yes, towards the end, I was a very sucky employee and I did not give two craps less about it. I had planned on saying that above spiel on my very last day, but didn't get the chance because I was training, and therefore could eat my whole sandwhich.

[CreepyCarrie]

People who bug me on my break really piss me off. One time a customer actually FOLLOWED ME INTO THE BREAK ROOM and was asking me all of their inane questions when there were several employees who were actually on the clock in the immediate area more than willing to help out. But noooo, you people just have to bug the off the clock employees don't you? It's how you get your kicks, isn't it?

Stupid customers

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

When I was unloading trucks, we used to take our breaks outside during the summer. We sat in front of the store for a while before the managers made us go out to the back of the store.

One time we were sitting out in front of the store when a customer came up to us and asked us where the grass seed was.

Me: In the seasonal department, next to toys and sporting goods.
SC: Aren't you supposed to walk me to them.
Me: I would, but I'm on break. They're in the seasonal department.
SC: If I still can't find it, it's your fault!

[toolbert]

Sometimes when I have lunch I have to have it at the store because some of the eateries (mostly subway) don't have a place where I can sit down and eat. So I bring it here and sit at one of our tables and eat. People just don't get the hint that I'm eating or they'll ask me a question then after I tell them the answer they always reply with "Oh, sorry are you on break?". No, genius, I just like to eat as far away from the counter as possible and avoid customers like the plague.

That's still not the worst for me though. I take a subway like system back and forth to work and I have to wear my uniform to and from work. So, when people see that big orange Palm logo on my shirt, they have to start asking me questions about their unit. I get everything from people bitching about something to tech support to telling me how they bought stock in the company. I usually look at them in some demonic fashion that lets them know "Hey, I'm going home the same as you...how would you like it if I started talking about your job while you're on your way home. Now, shut it before I eat your soul"

[Rapscallion]

SC: If I still can't find it, it's your fault!

"Your words shall replace the screams in my nightmares for years to come, sir."

Rapscallion

[NightAngel]

Ah, yes. Being as we usually only have one manager on at any given time if/when I take breaks I do so at the front counter. Because if a serious customer issue was to arise they'd need me one way or the other.
I sit in what we call the Manager's Pit, a semi- walled desk. Inevitably someone will come peer over the wall and say, "Is there any *movie title* in that drop box?"

Now, if I've got nothing it doesn't bother me too much but if I'm sitting there with a burger in my hands then don't bug me- really. I know this is rotten of me but I make a point to take a bite and talk with my mouth full. Sure, I check the box for them... they may not understand what I'm saying to them over the mouth full of food though.

[Think Blue]

I usually shut my office door when on break, because customers used to come in see food in my hand and ask me question after question and got mad when I told them to get out.

[Bella_Vixen]

Blas, I feel your pain. The only time I can manage to eat with minimal interruption is if my boss is there and can jump on the drawer (not often, though, because we are so busy that two people ARE needed for the entire shift).

If I can manage to sneak a bag of chips, I have been known to give the death glare to people who think it's hilarious to interrupt my oh so nutritious lunch. I can't even eat one freaking chip without interruption.

What is fun <sarcastic> is when I am taking a minute to go to the bathroom and I hear someone SCREAMING "HELLO?!?!" like the world will end if they can't get their damn cigarettes 2 seconds ago and then when I walk out of the bathroom, they sometimes have the decency to look sheepish and apologize.

You know what gets me? When I come out from the bathroom or the cooler and people say "I was afraid you were tied up in the back and being robbed because you weren't out here. I was just about to call the police." OK, seeing as how you JUST walked through the door and I got to the register 5 seconds after you.

<end rant>

"Your words shall replace the screams in my nightmares for years to come, sir."

Rapscallion

I think I'm going to borrow that, if you don't mind, Oh Fearless Leader.

[Kiwi]

we had a fairly good breakroom at the craftshop, it was even locked with a code so staff were the only ones who COULD get into the room

it didnt stop customers knocking on the door asking for help.... no one answered it... if you dont know the code.. no soup for you!!

[Rapscallion]

I think I'm going to borrow that, if you don't mind, Oh Fearless Leader.

Be my guest. I filched it from someone else, though I'm not going to explain what I said to him at the time.

Rapscallion

[KayEm]

Yesterday after I got off work, I stayed to do a little shopping. As I was ringing up my stuff on the U-scans, an idiot at the next machine bleats at me "Do you have any scissors, so I can cut this plastic thing off ?"

I pretended I didn't hear him.

He bleats at me again.

Since it should have been OBVIOUS to him that I was OFF the clock, but it wasn't, I told him I was off the clock but the U-scan cashier could help him.

So the idiot says to her "She's off the clock, do you have a pair of scissors ?" in this tone like he was annoyed at me for being off the clock and not willing to help him.

What is it with these people ? Would they appreciate it if we went to their offices and demanded THEY work for free ?

I wish we could all be issued buttons that say "Off the clock" when we are on breaks, or shopping after work.

But then again, since most customers don't read signs, I doubt they'd notice the buttons. And of course, management would think they were "offensive" to customers.

[csdrone]

Our break room is hidden as are the bathrooms. SC's do not like our standard answer "No we do not have a public restroom".

[Food Lady]

I'm so glad our breakroom is upstairs. I don't even have to see or hear customers when I'm on break. But at the gas station it was a whole different story. I can't tell you how many times I had to start ringing people in the middle of my lunch. It got to the point where I'd just down coffee all shift and eat later.