You didn't ask for help... you asked if I was serving. There's a difference!

[Evannah]

I work in a concession shop within a larger store.

I had just started my shift. There was a queue at the till. At the end of the queue was a lady. She saw me and said, "Are you serving?"

Me: I'm so sorry, we only have the one till.

Her: What does that have to do with anything?

At this point I was silent, because I wasn't sure what to say. What, did she want me to use the magic invisible till or something? Just... what?

Her: Well?

Me: I'm sorry, but I can't serve you because we only have one till. There's a cashier using it already.

Her: I'm not buying anything, I just wanted some help!

Uhhhh... why didn't you say so then?

Me: Oh! I'm so sorry. What can I help you with?

Her: No! Forget it! I'll just ask someone who actually wants to help!

Me: I'm sorry, I misunderstood you.

But she flounced off. As far as I could tell, she didn't actually stick around.

Seriously though, think about what you're asking. When someone asks "Are you serving?" it usually means they are ready to pay. Plus, she was standing IN the queue, so naturally I thought she was waiting to pay.

[MoonCat]

This made me think of the old Britcom "Are You Being Served?"

You would think it wouldn't be that hard for someone to be specific. Even "I just wanted some help" doesn't say much. Help with what? Gotta love these people who can't express themselves clearly and then get mad when someone doesn't understand what they want.

[Evannah]

This made me think of the old Britcom "Are You Being Served?"

You would think it wouldn't be that hard for someone to be specific. Even "I just wanted some help" doesn't say much. Help with what? Gotta love these people who can't express themselves clearly and then get mad when someone doesn't understand what they want.

"I'm free!" Love that show and love it even more when someone else mentions it

I sometimes wonder why they expect us to be psychic, operate a till that's crashed, be in three places at once, pull items out of our arses (and a gazillion other impossible tasks) but STILL treat us like dirt on the bottom of their shoes and pretty much say to our faces "I'm better than you because you're JUST a cashier!"

Hmm. If I'm just a cashier, why do you expect me to do all those impossible things?

[An Haddock]

"I'm free!" Love that show and love it even more when someone else mentions it

<deep voice> "Men's wear."

[Evannah]

<deep voice> "Men's wear."

Love it. +1.

[registerrodeo]

<girly voice> I'm freeee

[Marmalady]

And Mrs Slocombe in her 'posh' voice - 'Ladies Intimate Apparel'

[gerund]

And Mrs Slocombe in her 'posh' voice

"It's a wonder I'm here at all you know - my pussy got soaking wet. I had to dry it out in front of the fire before I left."

[RealUnimportant]

Whenever I state I can only offer advice, no sales, guess what happens after I've given them advice. Yup, "can I buy...?" NO!

[AdamAnt316]

"Glass of water for Mr. Grainger..."

Love that show. First started watching it many years ago on PBS. Always fun noting their reactions to the customers, management's latest inane ideas, and the janitorial staff. Not to mention Mrs. Slocombe's ever-color-changing hair.

"...and I am unanimous in that!"

[wolfie]

I sometimes wonder why they expect us to ... pull items out of our arses

And if you did, they'd complain about the items being unsanitary.

[notalwaysright]

I'm mentally rewording it, since "serving" isn't a common term here (I think of it like a server at a restaurant), so I see it like "are you ringing?" or "are you open?" And by your response it was pretty obvious that you were talking about buying things at a register, not answering a question, so the snotty reply was uncalled for.

I've probably mentioned it, but there are many terms people misuse or mistake at my work. For example, we're right next to the border of another country, and sometimes people come to me and ask where the wool is. I then ask, "fabric or yarn?" Omg, I have gotten the hugest cat-butt face for that! Lady's like "wool is what you knit with." In the most condescending tone. And of course, I couldn't let that go... "Okay, our yarn is over here, but wool actually refers to the product which comes from sheep, which is why I asked if would like wool fabric or yarn." Normally I do NOT correct people, but I felt compelled to in this case.

[Agent Paperclip]

I love that show! And this is how I feel most days at work....

[Lace Neil Singer]

I have to say "I'm not serving" about a hundred times every week. XD You see, when I'm cashing out a till, with a large "This Till Is Closed" sign on my till, it'll be a cold day in hell before I don't have to tell a seemingly unable to read customer that I am not serving right now. Once, I dug out every sign I could find (six, if you're asking), put them all over my til and some dumbarse STILL came up and said, "Are you open?"