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You know how you enter the store to get some milk, only to see the shelf full of pinot grigio right in the way, staring at you with no place to hide? This moment of pure impromptu is basically the essence of the “decisions were made here” meme that shows the lonely product (one intended to buy) standing in the midst of the indulgence section, whether it’s beer or ice cream.
But no matter how funny it may be in the joke format, the reality is a tiny bit different. It turns out, it’s one of the most annoying things customers do while shopping, according to supermarket employees—not even mentioning taking a thing out of its package and leaving it lying out somewhere.
Below is the list of seriously annoying stuff we should all quit immediately if we ever want good shopping karma.
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#1
Accurate
#2
When People Stop In The Middle Of An Aisle And Act Like They're The Only Ones In The Store
#3
"If You Let Your Kids Do This, [screw] You."
!["If You Let Your Kids Do This, [screw] You."](https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/5f92a01806dc0_YOx7EgQ__700.jpg "\"If You Let Your Kids Do This, [screw] You.\"")
Bardhi's Dad 4 years ago
This is really annoying. What kind of parents are them? How do they educate those children?
Back in the 1950s and '60s, the vibe at supermarkets was totally different. According to author Blake Morgan, “brands treated customers like they didn’t have brain cells and used loud and obnoxious voices and obviously exaggerated print.”
It all changed with Ogilvy, the father of advertising who said that you gotta treat customers like you treat your family members. Because, essentially, they’re potential clients.
Then, the now-famous phrase “the customer is always right” was pioneered by successful retailers named Harry Gordon Selfridge, John Wanamaker, and Marshall Field. This approach stuck with us for many years to come, and it’s still in use today. But critics claim it doesn’t work in the current times.
#4
If You Really Love Your Heros, Consider This
Laugh or not 4 years ago
Yes, calling people 'heroes' for doing their jobs is a good way to pat them on the back, congratulate them and avoid thinking about work conditions and salaries.
#5
"Retail Workers Know What I Mean"
#6
Getting Told The Same Joke
In the times of consumerism, customers are no longer the perfect beings worthy of praise. According to the author Alexander Kjerulf, sticking to the “customer is always right” mantra has multiple adverse effects.
It makes employees unhappy, it gives abrasive customers an unfair advantage, it results in worse customer service, and it ignores the fact that some customers are just plain wrong.
Even if being customer-centric is part of the customer experience, that doesn’t mean brands and companies have to follow it blindly. They should rather seek a smart balance in making both customers and their workers equally happy.
#7
"Working In Retail Is A Special Type Of Hell"
Martha Meyer 4 years ago
When I was a kid, customers had to pay for stuff they dropped and destoyed. Doesn't seem a thing anymore.
#8
This Is Accurate
#9
Customers Who Don't Say Hi
cybermerlin2000 4 years ago
I always say Hi and I'm very cheerful about it because I feel like they have taken the time to be nice
#10
When They Act Like Masks Don't Apply To Them
#11
Sounds About Right
#12
All The Employees Have To Do Is Put Stuff Away...right?
"If you do this, f**k you."
#13
When Customers Leave Stuff From Other Aisles In Places They Shouldn't Be
postboredom 4 years ago
You don't have to work in a supermarket to hate this...I feel for you all.
#14
"I Think We All Can Relate. Am I Right?"
#15
When They Tell Employees Their Whole Life Story
Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago (edited)
Yup, I have heard about a women having a colonoscopy, a woman being a prostitute and that the fella with her was her pimp and bf, a guy with a big bandage telling me about his infection that was literally oozing pus etc. Some things we just don’t need or want to know.
#16
"Any Season"
#17
When Guests Forget The Entire Reason Employees Are In The Store
#18
When They Walk In Just Before Closing
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Just close the doors 5 to 10 minutes minutes before closing time and only let customers out. Common practice in the Netherlands.
#19
When Customers Forget How A Store Works
#20
When They Come .5 Seconds Before Closing Time
Csaba Hegedűs 4 years ago
In my country it is mandatory by law to have 'online cash registers' everywhere, that works like sending all data directly to some tax office or anything. It means if a shop is officially open from like 9 to 18, they can't sell you stuff AFTER 18, because register will note the tax office that out of business hours this shop was doing business. Therefore, shops can legally tell people who come this late that sorry, if you can't make your purchase in the next ten seconds, we can't legally serve you.
#21
"Black Friday As A Wal-Mart Employee."
#22
When Customers Leave Their Dirty Trash In The Carts
#23
Customers Are Relentless
#24
Bardhi's Dad 4 years ago (edited)
"Well, let me think a bit about this generous offer you made... NO!"
#25
Even Though Zebra Says 1 But Not Binned In Anywhere
Bardhi's Dad 4 years ago
You just go in the back, rest for 5 minutes and come back to tell him "No. We don't have it. I checked everywhere"
#26
Things-Supermarket-Employees-Hate
A.M. Pierre 4 years ago
And yet I did get charged twice at a bookstore once when this happened. Took forever to get my money back. I realize that's an exception, not the rule, but I am wary now.
#28
"Why I Hate Working In Retail."
#29
When Customers Disappear After Employees Go Into The Back To Get Something For Them
Bardhi's Dad 4 years ago
Reminds me the scene with Rowan Atkinson and Alan Rickman in the movie "Love Actually"
#30
Cough Cough
Foxxy (The Original) 4 years ago
I feel awful for my son. He spits when he talks because of a few reasons. He has a lateral lisp which causes excess saliva and he has low muscle tone in his mouth which causes him to still dribble and not have as much control as most people do. I worry how that will impact him as he gets older.
#31
Those Coupons Though
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 4 years ago
*Beverly Goldberg (please tell me you guys watch that show).
#33
When People Leave Food In A Cart
Shelli Aderman 4 years ago
Carts need a sign, like, “Don’t complain about rising prices of food when you do this s**t!”
#34
When People Take Something Out Of Its Package And Just Leave It There
Tiari 4 years ago
I admit: I did that once or twice. The packaging had no information about the fabric on it, but I need that info for my decision. Afterwards I really really tried getting the stuff back in the packaging, but gave up after 5 to 10 minutes. If the damn manufacturer is not able to print the f*****g type of fabric on the packaging and I have no chance getting the stuff back in the packaging because it was packed under a vacuum... sorry. And yes. I asked staff about the type of fabric, and mostly the answer is a blank stare and an „I don’t know...“
#35
When They Beckon An Employee Over Like They're A Trained Animal
#36
Things Supermarket Employees Hate
#37
Who Just Decided "No" On The TV?
Bardhi's Dad 4 years ago
I really don't understand how people can do things like this. It's so...
#38
When They Don't Recognize The Difference Between In-Store And Online
#39
"98% Of Customers Are Illiterate"
troufaki13 4 years ago
Sometimes this discount applies only to certain items and it isn't always clear which one
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What do you think ?
Jayson Hammer 4 years ago
Everyone should have to work in a service industry job for a month (at least). I'm pretty sure it would cut down on a lot of this sort of thing happening.
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 4 years ago
I wish I could up vote you 1000 times.
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Hans 4 years ago
I do not think this reflects normal customer behaviour. One respectless will outweighs 99 considerate ones. And most of the things shown here are likewise annoying to other customers than to staff.
Bob Belcher 4 years ago
It doesn't, 95% of people don't do any of this. But you don't hear about the boring normal customers.
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Falcon 4 years ago
I think I could never work on retail. If I'd see any of the crap people pull I'd lose all filters and go off on them. I was taught to be respectful to other people and things I do not own. Clearly there are people that just don't have the mental capacity to understand that.
Bob Belcher 4 years ago
Those they don't need to work in retail. I will make sure my kids both have summer jobs in retail dealing with customers. It teaches patients and how to deal with uncomfortable situations.
Load More Replies...
Jayson Hammer 4 years ago
Everyone should have to work in a service industry job for a month (at least). I'm pretty sure it would cut down on a lot of this sort of thing happening.
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 4 years ago
I wish I could up vote you 1000 times.
Load More Replies... Hans 4 years ago
I do not think this reflects normal customer behaviour. One respectless will outweighs 99 considerate ones. And most of the things shown here are likewise annoying to other customers than to staff.
Bob Belcher 4 years ago
It doesn't, 95% of people don't do any of this. But you don't hear about the boring normal customers.
Load More Replies... Falcon 4 years ago
I think I could never work on retail. If I'd see any of the crap people pull I'd lose all filters and go off on them. I was taught to be respectful to other people and things I do not own. Clearly there are people that just don't have the mental capacity to understand that.
Bob Belcher 4 years ago
Those they don't need to work in retail. I will make sure my kids both have summer jobs in retail dealing with customers. It teaches patients and how to deal with uncomfortable situations.
Load More Replies...
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