Work and Customers: Retail work hell

Retail work hell

By Sheila2004 - 19/04/2026 22:00 - United Kingdom - Bolton

Today, I greeted a customer with my usual “Hi, how are you?” She started telling me, in detail, about the terrible day she was having, job stress, family issues, everything. I stood there for 10 minutes listening because I didn’t want to be rude. At the end, she sighed, “Thanks, I’m not buying anything today” and left. FML

I agree, your life sucks 335

You deserved it 90

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Same thing different taste

Customers from hell

By GirlWhyyyy - 09/08/2023 14:00

Today, I reduced a customer to tears and she had a tantrum, saying that nobody loves her, her life is a joke, and she’d be better off dead. This ordeal happened to grab the attention of my manager who was nearby. All I did was tell her that an item she wanted was sold out and offered to help her order it online. FML

I agree, your life sucks 915

You deserved it 107

By gotta euthanize em all - 29/11/2014 19:45 - Canada

Today, while at work, I had to spend an hour and a half on the phone, listening to an old lady relive her entire day in excruciating detail. We're not allowed to hang up on customers, and she was extremely quick to dismiss all my attempts to steer the call back on topic. FML

I agree, your life sucks 33 025

You deserved it 3 718

I should stop talking

By Anonymous - 14/04/2026 22:00 - United States - Austin

Today, while working retail, I spent 10 minutes helping a customer pick out the perfect outfit. At checkout, trying to be friendly, I said, “This will look great on you, it’s very forgiving.” He paused then said, “Forgiving of what?” I had no recovery. Just silence, a receipt, and a mortifying interaction. FML

I agree, your life sucks 80

You deserved it 560

By retail hell - 12/07/2015 13:11 - United States - Waterbury

Today, a customer berated me and told me to stop whining because I have to work on the weekend. What did I do to deserve this? I said, "Hi, how are you doing today?" FML

I agree, your life sucks 26 492

You deserved it 1 927

Nice try

By Ellie - 06/07/2022 00:01

Today, I was ringing up a lady’s items; two shoeboxes. Per policy, I’m supposed to open them. She heavily insisted I didn’t. I ignored her and found other merchandise inside. She then went on a rant on how "people should mind their own fucking business" and stormed out of the store without buying. FML

I agree, your life sucks 1 911

You deserved it 132

By Irobot - 15/03/2017 22:00

Today, working at a fast food restaurant, I was berated by a customer for a good two minutes. It's okay though because she ended with, "Sorry, I forget you all are real people." FML

I agree, your life sucks 5 483

You deserved it 350

By romedizzle - 24/11/2010 09:52 - Canada

Today, I was helping an older lady return her previously bought items to customer service. As she walked away and said "Thanks," I tried to say "You're welcome" and "No problem" at the same time. I ended up saying "Your problem". She scowled at me. FML

I agree, your life sucks 24 497

You deserved it 8 296

Let it out

By MrTandy - 16/09/2011 02:38 - United States

Today, I was working when I delivered the standard "Hello, how are you?" to a customer. He took the opportunity to tell me about his deceased wife, his estranged children, and his anal tearing. After a while, I tried to help someone else, and he complained to my manager. I was written up. FML

I agree, your life sucks 31 703

You deserved it 3 716

Working here sucks

By people suck - 28/03/2015 04:16 - United States - Oakland

Today, while at work, a customer refused to speak louder, despite me asking her to do it several times. As a result, I took her order incorrectly. The customer then finally decided to raise her voice, but only to yell at me about my poor listening skills. FML

I agree, your life sucks 32 406

You deserved it 2 529

Let's call the whole thing off

By Foreshadowing - 10/12/2025 03:00

Today, I told a customer to “Enjoy your food” as I handed him his receipt instead of his meal. He replied, “You too.” We both froze in silence for a few seconds before he slowly took the bag and walked away in shame. FML

I agree, your life sucks 226

You deserved it 124

bigredmonkeybutt 28

Monday 20 April 2026 0:08

Meh. You helped her out by letting her vent, and that was 10 minutes you didn’t have to deal with some asshole customer.

Yudith 25

Monday 20 April 2026 17:57

It's about time corporations stopped putting greeters in front of the store and forcing them to say "Hi, how are you?"

Comments

bigredmonkeybutt 28

Monday 20 April 2026 0:08

Meh. You helped her out by letting her vent, and that was 10 minutes you didn’t have to deal with some asshole customer.

Yudith 25

Monday 20 April 2026 17:57

It's about time corporations stopped putting greeters in front of the store and forcing them to say "Hi, how are you?"

SAgirl 18

Wednesday 22 April 2026 23:11

Nothing worse than a stranger asking how are you doing. If you don't care then dont ask. Bet he is one of those people that are annoyed with strangers asking him so he does it on purpose.