Work: Awkward small talk

Awkward small talk

By mybad - 25/08/2009 13:21 - United States

Today, a customer brought her kids into the store where I work. I like to make people laugh, so being my usual joking self I kidded, "Why aren't those kids in school?" She didn't laugh when she said that their house burned down the night before and the kids had no clothes to wear to school. FML

I agree, your life sucks 48 213

You deserved it 13 276

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Same thing different taste

A cashier's life

By amy - 16/10/2013 21:52 - United States - Wellesley Hills

Today, as I worked as a cashier, two girls came up laughing. I smiled as I rang them up, asking what had made them laugh so hard. One looked me dead in the face and said, "You." They then both walked away, laughing. FML

I agree, your life sucks 46 810

You deserved it 3 976

Zing!

By Anonymous - 10/05/2022 14:00

Today, I met my coworker's kids during a cookout. I joked to her eldest son that he was awfully short for a seventeen-year-old. He responded, "Well, you're awfully ugly for the town slut." Everyone laughed, including my boss. FML

I agree, your life sucks 329

You deserved it 2 058

All my fault

By streaker? - 27/11/2015 14:21 - Germany - Langenhagen

Today, I went clothes shopping. I took my little daughter into the dressing room while I tried some clothes on. She somehow managed to open the door while I was changing. A lady outside then bitched me out for "exposing" myself to her kids. FML

I agree, your life sucks 24 256

You deserved it 2 026

Nice try, Karen

By munchkin77 - 15/12/2021 20:01

Today, as a pizza delivery driver, I delivered to a customer with young kids. She gave the pizzas to one of her kids to take inside, where the kid dropped them and it went everywhere. She then rang the store and claimed that I'd dropped the pizzas, then told her to "suck it up." FML

I agree, your life sucks 1 085

You deserved it 78

By DrunkParents - 31/03/2015 23:32 - United States - Billings

Today, a really drunk couple staggered into the store I work at. One of them yelled at me, "Hey you! Kid! Tell us where the booze is at!" This would have been funny if these people weren't my parents. FML

I agree, your life sucks 29 837

You deserved it 2 727

Check this out!

By Anonymous - 10/08/2015 00:37 - United States - Plano

Today, I went to the store with my 4-year-old daughter. While I was trying to change into tight jeans, which weren't completely on, my daughter opened the curtain and yelled, "It's the Mommy Show!" Everyone there heard her and saw me. FML

I agree, your life sucks 25 806

You deserved it 2 550

Working in retail sucks

By Anonymous - 09/03/2020 23:00

Today, a customer yelled at me because we didn't have any laptops in stock. I work at a clothing store. FML

I agree, your life sucks 1 750

You deserved it 113

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 865

You deserved it 85

Independance day

By Anonymous - 19/09/2010 04:27 - Canada

Today, a crying kid was brought to my attention by a customer. He was so upset from losing his mom that he couldn't say his or his mom's name. I took him around the store asking him to point out his mom. Once we'd found her she told me, "I was hiding from my kid to test his independence." FML

I agree, your life sucks 40 828

You deserved it 2 809

By derbyboy - 19/10/2011 05:38 - United Kingdom

Today, at work, I misheard a customer telling me a story. To be polite, I did a slight laugh and nodded my head. She actually told me her mum had died. FML

I agree, your life sucks 27 142

You deserved it 22 091

CosmicPossum 2

Tuesday 25 August 2009 20:16

Looking at a six year old and going, "Wait, I thought college started today!" is funny. Asking, "Shouldn't they be in school?" is going to come across as nosy and/or passive-aggressive (or passive-snarky), even if you do it with a smile. YD a retort for your poor judgement, though FYL for the coincidence of the fire. @6: Their house burnt down the night before, they're going to be a little traumatized. I think they deserve the day off.

Jazzywrites007 2

Tuesday 25 August 2009 20:06

I Cares. =)

Comments

8IGHTY8 0

Tuesday 25 August 2009 20:29

i can imagine the cold look in her eyes when she would've said that!!! @_@

wArPeD_fml 0

Tuesday 25 August 2009 20:39

where do u work?

Hermyoni 0

Tuesday 25 August 2009 20:39

You deserve it for failing at making a joke. Firstly it's summer still, Secondly they might be homeschooled 3rd You don't get paid to joke with the customer. So next time mind your own business unless you want to open mouth and insert foot again.

lrb081 0

Tuesday 25 August 2009 20:50

I def agree that there needs to be a "whatever" button. sure it was bad timing, but you had no idea. this isn't an fml, it's just an oops. next...

spectacularrr 0

Tuesday 25 August 2009 20:53

Actually, school started in Georgia up to four weeks ago. I would know.

eliz3 0

Tuesday 25 August 2009 21:00

Why would that question be funny anyway? I would say more intrusive....

flarehair 0

Tuesday 25 August 2009 21:04

Even if you meant it as a joke, a question like that always comes across as invasive and slightly accusatory. There are plenty of other scenarios not involving a burnt-down house for why the kids wouldn't be in school, and none of them are your business. Trust me, a smile and a pleasant greeting will do much more to endear a customer to you than an awkward attempt at a joke.