Why are they so unobservant?

[GingerBiscuit]

When I am wearing uniform, wandering up and down the aisles, asking people they need help, or serving behind the tills, I get asked 'Do you work here?'

No. I just like to put on a uniform and act like a store employee in my free time to MESS WITH YOUR HEADS! Mwuahahahahaha!

Yet, if I'm wearing my coat, am carrying my bags, or in my own clothes they'll ask me for help.

Clearly something is happening here.

[mattm04]

I have aways wanted to tell a customer, NO when I AM OBVISOULEY working, in uniform, stocking shelves, cleaning, etc. I would love to see the reaction, but don't want negative feedback.

[BookstoreEscapee]

I once was on my way in to work, wearing a coat and scarf, carrying my purse and lunch bag, and I think an umbrella, and I decided to cut down a side aisle and avoid the main drag. I happened upon a woman sitting on the floor in the parenting books, and she looked up at me and said "Do you work here?"

I said "no" and kept walking.

[GingerBiscuit]

I have aways wanted to tell a customer, NO when I AM OBVISOULEY working, in uniform, stocking shelves, cleaning, etc. I would love to see the reaction, but don't want negative feedback.

If I ever win the lottery, my last day I am going to respond with 'No, this is just how I have fun' and carry on. AFter all, it's not like I'll need the job any more. As it is, I respond 'Yes' with a fixed smile.

[Brightglaive]

I always get the opposite question, "Do you work here" when I'm dressed nicely. Plain polo shirt and dockers, usually. Sometimes when I'm in a white shirt and tie with nice black slacks as well. I always politely inform them, "No, I'm a customer just like you" and then think, "I'm just not as Stupid". Sometimes when I'm at an electronics or computer store and if I'm REALLY up for a challenge I'll help them out with all the questions they may have, Just to screw with the salesman's mind (and commissions). Then when the salesman asks if I work there in front of the customer I tell them, " No, I'm just really, REALLY good with computers (or TVs or Stereos or Networking gear)" I love it when it's obvious I know more about the product than even the salesman does. Then If I really wanna be mean I send the customer to the front register....

[Sparkticus]

I like when I'm in shops that have uniforms totally different from mine (colour AND style) and I get people asking me questions... I USUALLY manage to cut them off and point out I don't work there and they look stunned

Only happens in the summer though, when I'm on my break in another shop and can't wear my jacket

[unholypet]

Story like this from co-worker Conan.

Person: OMG! Do you work at (pizza company)?!
Conan: Nah, I just beat up this guy n took his shirt.

[Brightglaive]

Story like this from co-worker Conan.

Person: OMG! Do you work at (pizza company)?!
Conan: Nah, I just beat up this guy n took his shirt.

NICE!!! Brings back memories from my Pizza Hut Delivery days.

[Shabo]

I used to work at a pet store that sold crickets, but the employees had to get them. Usually, the people that come in for crickets know all the employees because they are in once a week (and my store had low turnover). One time, I was just coming into work, coat still on, carrying my stuff, and a customer stops me and asks me for crickets. Dude, let me clock in first!

Oh, and of course, my favorite, the time when I was cleaning the small animal cages, elbow deep wiping down the glass, and some lady walks up to me and goes, Do you work here?

[Andara Bledin]

You know, there is another thread on here that mentioned the psychology of why people ask these stupid questions.

What they really mean is "will you help me?" but rather than risk getting a negative answer (as in, "I'm sorry but I am in the middle of something else"), they will got with the easy "yes" question and ask if you work there.

^-.-^

[Imogene]

ask if you work there.

*check watch* Not for another hour, I don't. Though I do 'work here', I'm not able to do anything to help you at the moment, beyond pointing and going, "Mmm-hmm." If that's all you need, then sure, I'll help."

[AKWalMartCartGuy]

When I am wearing uniform, wandering up and down the aisles, asking people they need help, or serving behind the tills, I get asked 'Do you work here?'

No. I just like to put on a uniform and act like a store employee in my free time to MESS WITH YOUR HEADS! Mwuahahahahaha!

Yet, if I'm wearing my coat, am carrying my bags, or in my own clothes they'll ask me for help.

Clearly something is happening here.

in my orientation they had us do a basket of returns each, and i got the domestics cart because I was in the back of the line and someone asked me "do you work here?"

no, every 16 y/o male goes to domestics and starts putting things back on shelves for fun. The name tag I'm wearing? I stole it

it's really amazing though, i haven't had SCs when I was going outside of my job title, I don't have to help customers inside the store very often(it's mostly garden center when I do, so I've learned my way around that department a little) but you'd think I'd stumble across a bad one once in a while with all the jerks I see in the parking lot

[AKWalMartCartGuy]

*check watch* Not for another hour, I don't. Though I do 'work here', I'm not able to do anything to help you at the moment, beyond pointing and going, "Mmm-hmm." If that's all you need, then sure, I'll help."

"aren't you supposed to get me a cart?" when I'm on break standing by the clock in the cart bay waiting for my 15 to be over then they get pissed when i tell them i'm on break. at wal mart if someone doesn't have their name tag(or orange vest for courtesy clerks, but don't expect us to know where things are, you've spent more time in the store today than we have this week) they are not on the clock. at night the unloaders pull pallets out of the back room, but unless you're in at 9:30 or later you won't see them, and the pallet should be a tip off, if they don't have a pallet they will have a pallet jack, if there is no visual confirmation that we work there, we aren't on the clock, and can get fired for helping you

[Sparkticus]

no, every 16 y/o male goes to domestics and starts putting things back on shelves for fun. The name tag I'm wearing? I stole it

They'd probably try and report you to the store for stealing their uniform

[Nephy]

I also get the "Do you work here?" when I'm in a store I don't work in.

It's always the funniest when I'm there in my pajamas or grubby sweatpants and whatnot... Because aparently managers don't give a crap about what their employees wear to work? I don't quite understand the logic.