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Working in retail, restaurants, hospitality, and the like is always… definitely… something.

Besides the long work hours, the tedious duties, and the very often inadequate pay, there’s all these clients to deal with, and not all of them are pleasant and civilized. That’s not say they’re the polar opposite, necessarily, but they are surely far far away from what makes a 5-star client because of their aggression or awkwardness or just flat-out bizarreness.

Image credits: TheBlackNerd

Whatever the case may be, there are loads of stories of less-than-favorable clients from people working in these industries, and one former Starbucks barista has sparked a bit of a story-fest with his tweet recalling a customer interaction that still haunts him to this day.

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Space Whale
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read the last bit first and I am 𝓼𝓵𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓵𝔂 disappointed

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Writer, reviewer, and host of the @LowStakesShow, Terence Wiggins, also known as The Black Nerd, went to Twitter to share an interaction with a customer he won’t forget anytime soon because of how haunting it was.

Back when he was working at Starbucks, one day he was cleaning the restrooms and knocked on the women’s restroom door to check if anyone was inside. Lo and behold, there was, but instead of casually saying it’s occupied or something among those lines, he got a very angry “WHO IS IT?”

He also asked folks who worked similar jobs to share their haunting conversations with clients. And boy, did Twitter deliver!

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Nathaniel
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not that I am defending this man, but it is some kind of stupid to bring your wife and your mistress to the same places. Keep everything separate.

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“I usually check my Facebook Memories first thing in the morning and I'm constantly reminded of the years I spent working at Starbucks,” Terence explained the origins of his tweet in an interview with Bored Panda. “I don't remember which memory made me ask the question but I'm sure it was something bad.”

Needless to say, when the tweet started racking up likes left and right, Terence was very surprised when the counter nearly reached 10,000 for both quoted tweets and likes. While he does have a modest follower base, the tweet went beyond the usual metric.

“It just exploded and I started seeing replies and quote-tweets from celebrities,” elaborated Terence.

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Kiss Army
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Premium
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a teenager, I worked at a Sonic Drive-In and on nice days I would skate when I took the orders out to people's cars. One time, a slightly off balance tray tipped off my hand a spilled a very large drink on this guy's very nice, very clean sports car. I felt horrible, I was almost in tears apologizing and I brought out a bucket and was trying to wash his car. He was so cool about it. When I brought his order to him, he gave me a HUGE tip and thanked me for the best laugh he had had in a long time.

Donna Clanclan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Recently, I had a waiter that looked like he was in his 60's. Came out with a tray of drinks for another table and lost control of the tray. Drinks and ice everywhere. I jumped up and grabbed him as it looked like he was about to fall over. Made sure he was ok before turning loose. Explained my dad had those balance moments too. The manager paid my bill as I was the only customer in that section that had showed concern for the guy over their own clothes. I hadn't thought it was a big deal as I figured most people either don't see the signs of early balance issues or realized he was ok before I did.

Lady Goldberry
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once spilled the contents of a bottle of red wine over a customer. He was annoyed, but the students on the table next to him found it so funny, they tipped me 20 quid.

real_izuku
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We need more people like that in this world. Maybe not the hugging part cause, yknow, covid, but still

A Jones
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They're really cool. I love understanding people who have patience and chill. :D

Trisha Howson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was very understanding of them we need people in the world like that.

Nancy Kane
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There aren't enough people who would react this way. That was very nice of the woman, and she taught her daughter a lesson, by being this way. Good job mom.

Charlene Eve Terol
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish someone hugged me too when I stupidly slipped off the floor and bathed my self with left over drinks from the tray I was carrying. I'm just glad it wasn't heavy metal steak plates on my tray that time. 😱

Vasana Phong
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone’s human and makes mistakes, but being the bigger human is forgiving

SCamp
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Working at a wedding reception place, serving the bridal table drinks I spilled a red wine all over the wedding certificate. Bride (justifiably) not happy and starts losing it, groom just gently taps her forearm and says ‘it’s a piece of paper darling, we can replace it.’ Lifesaver.

Betsy Novack
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Without fail, I would get something dumped on me during a bad luck streak of wiggly waitresses. A salad got dumped down my back when someone bumped into her. Then there was the spill soda in hair, a side of rice in my lap. I think waitresses should put those red flags like trucks with lumber that sticks over the truck, on their trays. And maybe a wide load sign. Id be dropping the entire thing if I were doing it. I need a cart.

Catherine Spencer-Mills
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once spilled an entire tray of drinks. Had to pay for them out of my tips. Bad night

Brian Bennett
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are very privileged to have met two real human beings - consider your self lucky they are few and far between!

Tracy Wallick
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Too many people don't understand that when you're understanding and forgiving like this, most people will bend over backwards to make sure you have a good experience.

LynzCatastrophe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why can't all people be like this?! Years ago as a teenager I was eating at a food court in the mall but feeling very light headed and hot, I desperately wanted to sit down with my drink. I didn't make it to my seat and fainted, bringing an entire tray down on a group eating. Made more of a huge fuss that I wrecked their food and should replace them than helping. My dad had seen me faint and was not a nice person when they started complaining about their food.

Sarah Mettler
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is what humanity should be! We all have flaws.. we (almost) all work for a living,. We should, as a society,absolutely be able to forgive one another for shortcomings. I couldn't possibly heart this any more!

Jacob Rosenberg (Swedemire)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sooo creepy....! Oh my God, this was probably the creepiest thing I ever read. F*****g get f****d.

Amery
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I 'was' THE GIRL ...that spilled an entire tray of 'Lobsteritas' (Red Lobster margaritas, for anyone that remembers...) on a FAMILY. Know WHY?!?!? The guy at the table across from them, pinched my a**e. Needless to say, RL comped everything for her, and had HIM ESCORTED with the red, white, and blue... of an officer that was picking up his take out. That family was so gracious, loving, understanding...and tipped me $50.00. (They DID stay and enjoy their meals, and drinks! Lots of 'em.)

L.a. Williams
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See not all people have to have their immortal soul's fought for in a language they don't know.

Redwood Rebelgirl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderful. ❤️ Accidents happen. What gracious, gentle, good people.

J J
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have to admit, if I did not become enraged after a tray of drinks was spilled on me, it would be very surprising

S K.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was a great response. As a former food service industry employee so people have the attitude like people in the service industry are the type of people who need to be bossed around and talked down to. Those people really need to spend a few days working in a restaurant, really need to start doing dishes

Daniel LaDue
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've had terrible moments in the service industries. Those things just reveal people's character.

Bayou Billy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd tell you it was fine too and if my waitress still tip big as long as the rest of service was great heh. Everyone has an accident sometimes

Becky B B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's happened to me only a huge tray of drinks got spilled all over a vintage jacket I had on. But the waiter was so upset I assured him it was okay then I went back to the owner and made him sign a cocktail napkin right then and there that he would not punish this man in any way. He thought I was crazy to make him sign it but I wanted to be sure he followed through. After all it truly was and is just a "First World Problem"!

S K.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No it's actually not. And for people who bully other people about their grammar online in comment sections need to realize that not everybody grew up with the best education.

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Stories from workers in retail, restaurants, and the like often circle around customers from hell as most of these places are very accessible to anyone and so the chances of running into a difficult clientele are high. But that’s not the only reason, as explained Terence:

“I think there's a certain type of person who views customer service workers as less-than or someone that they can boss around without any consequences. It's really not most customers, 90% of customers are fine but there's a 10% that have a brain that's a jar full of angry bees and they have to let it out on someone who can't do anything about it.”

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El muerto
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

next time jesus comes around, he will turn chicken into cheese...and sprite to tequila

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As mentioned previously, Terence’s tweet inspired quite a lot of people to share their experiences.

These included everything from exposing mistresses to customers discussing wounds to elderly people shouting gun violence hypotheticals.

And then there was this 6-tweet story by a guy who used to work at a Taco Bell and had a client who was described as a satanic cowboy who took half his order before storming off, then returning after about 20 minutes, getting upset about his other half of the order, which he wrongly remembered, and then chanting in Spanish, while his bodyguard counter-chanted something as well. That one also received over 8,000 likes.

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Now, in some cases these difficult customers might just have interesting personality quirks or could just be tired, but in other cases they could also be inherently angry, sad or straight up weird if they act that way in public. So, we asked Terence what his take on this was, and he had this to say:

“I think it could be both. There's harmless people who have weird personality quirks or are tired or some such thing and they will definitely say something weird that'll stick with you. On the other hand, there are people who have some inherent anger or sadness that they've decided to take out on other people and that other person is usually an employee getting paid minimum wage and can't possibly fight back.”

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E B
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, corporate apparently has no idea what customers actually want.

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OK, PSA time.

“Employees are people. They have about as much power in the situation as you do and unless the employee is being an a-hole for no reason, just cool your jets about small things. Your food or drink will eventually get made, you'll eventually get that product you want, there's no such thing as the mythical ‘back room’ where we're just hiding products from customers,” said Terence.

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If anything, be kind to your waiters, store clerks and everyone else who makes your life easier.

You can check out everything we talked about in context here, and you can also take a look at Terence’s socials like his Twitter account and his Low Stakes Show podcast as well as his Ko-Fi shop.

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Moezzzz
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, because everyone knows that gay equals pedophilia. (My eyes cannot roll far enough into my head for this train of reasoning....)

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Bedlamite
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was in the hospital after appendix surgery, there was another woman in the same room, she was nice enough, but Sunday came around and a whole gaggle of Church ladies came to see her. I was trying (pretending) to sleep until one of them came over to me and laid hands on my head while praying. I'm non-religious, and don't have anything against people who are, but keep your bleeping hands off me. I felt so violated. That was over 25 years ago and I still get pissed when I think about it.

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Claire Stanfield
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had a regular who would send back the first side of fries claiming they were 'greasy'. We prepared another side of fries exactly the same way, and they were fine. Every time.

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Francesca Annoni
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked for years in a shop... an Italian luxury underwear brand.. You don't know how many time we had to tell the customers you must try the bottom piece of underwear and swimwear OVER your own underwear... and sometime I found underwear stained..why try underwear if it's this time of the month? Without your underwear?? It was unbelievable ...and disgusting...

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