“Everyone should have to work in customer service at some point in their life.” We say this because customer service is like working in your own personal hell, that’s the only proper way to describe it. Customers are the worst, the pay is abysmal, and it takes a massive toll on your mental and physical health.

Thanks to the subreddit RantsFromRetail, we’ve sourced stories from people who are living in retail hell. Our goal in sharing these nightmare scenarios is that hopefully, they help you be a better customer.

Redditor u/thisaintrightyall poses an incredible question about boomers. “Email is from the '90s, why are these people so proud that they lack basic life skills from the past 30 years?” The example given is absolutely insane behavior on the part of stereotypical boomers who claim to have no idea how to use technology.

Redditor u/Tony-Giacalone shared some insight, “I used to be a people person until I started working retail, now I hate most people.” He goes on to talk about how oblivious customers are. Most are rude, selfish, aloof, and straight-up idiots. Sadly, it’s hard finding the good in people after so much shit. “When I was younger I thought people were great, and that evil was the only bad. Now I realize most of them suck.”

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The twist here is not that the customer was rude (they were), but that the employee they were talking shit about just so happened to speak the same language as the customer.

According to u/hypmiic, “I work at an athletic shoe store in the mall and had an older woman come in with her two children yesterday. She asks me if we sell athletic socks, and I ask her what kind. I’m immediately interrupted, and she snaps. I go to apologize and hear her say a snide remark to her son about how I’m an impatient b*tch, and it clicks in my brain that she spoke to him in Hungarian (my firstborn language).

From there the employee decides to out the customer. “At this point, I reply to her in Hungarian and let her know we only have one pair left that she’s looking for. Absolute deer-in-the-headlights moment. Her eyes get so wide, and she goes “Oh, you can understand me? Hahaha …. So we can’t talk shit about you right?” No apology, just blatant kiss-assery.

For all you customers out there. Be kind. Don’t be a dick. Don’t harass these people who are literally trying to help you. Help them help you. Do better.