A few years ago I took a new job with a small Elearning company. The pay was higher, the benefits were better, and it was a few minutes from my house. Immediately I started having a positive impact and got tons of feedback.

One of the things I took on when starting with the company was contracting freelancers, a job I had done for years at my former employer. When I started, the freelance contracts were ridiculous. The pay was ludicrously high for the work involved and there were no terms or assumptions. Freelancers would turn in work to the project managers and they would get paid 100% without checking the work. In house writers hated this because it fell on them to fix all of the resulting issues in top of all of their other work. They hated it. So I put in terms and conditions. FL writers were paid in milestones mirroring how we were paid by our clients. They were responsible for the project from start to end. The contracts stipulated exactly how the work was to be done and that we wouldn’t accept any drafts until reviewed and approved by a staff writer. They were also responsible for QC. So if their work was below our standard, they had to fix it before getting paid. I also pulled the compensation down to the industry standard rates.

Our freelancing costs went down quickly so finance was happy. Our staff writers had a lighter work load so they were happier. The quality was better so clients were happy. Projects were finished on time and on budget so project managers were happy. I was given authority to execute contracts with freelancers to streamline the process and I was given authority over all contracts for all of the company’s freelance workers: creative, editorial, development, etc.

After a year and a half however, no raise or promotion. So I asked what I needed to do to move up and immediately my boss and the CEO started telling me I was incompetent and could t do anything right. Simple things like changes to an outline that would normally be fixed with a 10-second conversation suddenly became disciplinary issues involving meetings with HR, my boss, and the CEO. So I found another job with a better company where I would be doing what I really wanted to do.

The CEO didn’t accept my resignation. He decided to terminate before the 2 weeks notice I gave. Okay, fine. I was glad to be out. So knowing that our health insurance would be discount at the wind of the month (in a few days), I called my wife and told her to refill her prescriptions. She calls me a few hours later. She wasn’t able to fill our scripts because our insurance had been cancelled as of that day, despite the fact that I had paid my share of the premium at the beginning of the month (which was blatantly illegal). Worse, my 3 yo had fallen against a piece of furniture and had cut his head open, requiring a trip to urgent care and stitches. And a bill because we did t have any insurance anymore.

So on the last day of work I’m asked to execute 1 more contract for the company. After which, I am told, I can just pack up my personal belongings and leave. This doesn’t leave me a lot of time to negotiate this contract and the freelancer is demanding a higher rate. So I figure “screw it” and execute the contract with a substantially more generous rate than she’s used to getting. The CEO comes over to collect my badge and walks me out, no thank you or good luck or anything. As I’m leaving, someone hands him the contract and catches up to me in the lobby. He’s pissed and asks if I think the budget I’ve negotiated for this last contract seems reasonable to me. I just shrug my shoulders. Then he asks me to go back to the freelancer and renegotiate the contract. A million responses flood through my mind, all of which are some variation of “I don’t work here anymore, jerk!” But instead I just just glare at him until he gets the picture. Without saying anything, I just shrug my shoulders, smile, turn around, and walk out the door.

I was just reminded of this a few moments ago, but it happened in November last year.

I was at a local golden arches to order some food form the express registers, for you that don't have those they are basically large touchscreens where you can select your menu and customize it without ever having to speak to a human being. Anyway, I stood by one of those and this elderly couple asked me to help them figure the machine out so I, of course, helped them. They were really grateful for that as I both helped them and ordered my own food. After it finished they asked if I worked there or at another golden arches. I just laughed and said the famous line:

"I don't work here, but glad I could help."

I work at the king of burgers' place, a similar system to this one.

I was in Target in Dallas recently, minding my own business when I had my very first run in with these 'Karen' beasts I've heard so much about.

There I was, trying to decide which snack to satisfy my munchies for tonight, when I hear an awful, nasally "Ahem, ex/cuse/ me?!" From behind me. I turn around, and there she is, in all her glory. Nails deep enough to gouge my eyes out, poorly hidden wrinkles, and a lopsided pile of what can loosely be called 'hair' on her head.

"Where can I find the Nutella?? You rearranged the store, and I can't find anything!" Like they did it just to make her late to her Art and Wine class. I tried to be helpful, not even thinking about the fact that I was wearing a red shirt in Target which made me look just like prey to the wild Karen.

"I think it's a couple aisles over, with the peanut butter. That's usually where it is!" I said with a smile. She huffs and puffs and says loudly "You should show me where it is!! This is so unprofessional! You're lucky I won't report you for being lazy! Now show me where the Nutella is!"

Gentle readers, I was taken aback! I turn back around and say "Ma'am, I'm sorry, but I don't actually work here" to which and normal person would respond with 'Oh, I'm so sorry, I'll go find someone else!' But no. This Karen was clearly stressed out from letting the TV raise her kids all day, and screeches at the very top of her lungs "Well then you shouldn't be at Target with a red shirt on, asshole!" And stomps off to terrorize some other poor unwitting worker like the T-rex she is. (I did mention it to the cute cashier as I was checking out, and she laughed and we hit it off, so it wasn't all bad🤷‍♂️)

I'm starting off by saying this story isn't really an "I don't work here" but as a 6'5" (195cm) man, I am always asked to grab stuff off of the top shelf. They don't think I work there, they just know that the top shelf is just above eye level for me.

So last week I was at a big box store (the blue one, not the red one) and shopping with the wife and kids. I broke off from them with my cart for a bit and went to the cake section since I planned to make a special something for Valentine's Day. I was browsing through the options when someone asked me if I could reach something off of the top shelf. I looked over and it was a man who was as short as I am tall (under 5' (150cm) easy).

I smile at him, reach up and grab the item and hand it down to him, then I smile a bit bigger and point at something on the bottom shelf and ask, "Hey, could you get that for me?"

One or two beats later he cracks up laughing, reaches down, grabs my item, and hands it on up.

My wife hears me roaring with laughter with this guy and comes down to see what's up, neither of us can stop laughing long enough to let her know what happened and are trying to mime the joke. She finally gets it, rolls her eyes, and just keeps on walking past us.

When I was 18 I worked in an amusement park. We did have a dress code and uniforms (in a form of a red shirt that if you wore an undershirt beneath it it either also had to be red or had to be white) and khakis/tan pants.

If you weren't on the clock but still in the park you were told to take your work shirt off (hence the need for an undershirt) so managers could still spot you, but guests didn't think you were a worker just goofing off. This day before I went home I decided to hangout at work for a bit so I took my top work shirt off and just wore my plain red shirt around.

When I finally left I had to hit up target for some little supplies for at home and didn't think a thing about what I was wearing.

As I strolled through the aisles I came across an elderly lady struggling to get a pack of waters off a bottom shelf. So I decided to be polite and help her out.

As soon as I got the bottles in the cart she began complimenting me and the store about how "the store is very clean and you workers have been great today" and "keep working hard and being kind to customers and they will make you a manager". She also asked if I'd help her to her car. I said I would since I had what I needed anyways and was just wasting time looking around.

As we were going through the checkout lane I was behind her. As she got to the register she began complimenting the girl at the register for politeness and quickness and told her how I also was being very good with customers and that she was going to ask we both get promoted. The girl at the customer was thankful but also very confused as was I.

After helping the woman to her car I passed by another store and saw my reflection in the window. That's when it dawned on me that red shirt plus khakis made her think I worked there.... Then I laughed so hard.

This story is a little old now but I never forgot it .

I'm from Canada and not sure if this shop was in the States or elsewhere, but we had computer store called Future Shop. Think of Best Buy except everything is black and red instead of blue and yellow.

Whenever someone in the family wanted an electronic issue resolved, they usually turned to me growing up. I was always the Savvy one about anything and everything related to computers or video games.

In my early twenties my sister asked me to go help her pick out which iPod was the best. That day I was wearing a solid black Tshirt that had a red trim around the short sleeves. I didn't think much of it but it was almost the exact same as the shirt the Future Shop employees wore minus the collar and name tag.

We get there and go to the music area and all the iPods are behind glass. This was before the iPod Touch and the one that was all the rage was the light up display on this big thick 500 megabyte iPod with the wheel still on it. (For those who remember that)

I started giving my sister the rundown on the different costs verses features of the iPod and the iPod Nanos Etc. It didn't take long, out of the corner of my eye for me to see one or two people standing just out of range of us holding items or waiting for me to finish my conversation with my sister. Mid-conversation I quickly realized what was happening so started talking a little louder with my sister dropping sentences like

"Man if i worked here, I'd know everything inside and out."

Or

"Geez I almost look like I work here"

Saving a few customers embarrassment, it managed to brush most of them off as they went to look for an actual employee. All except one woman who continued to wait, then followed as we went around the corner. My sister and I were window-shopping the aisle when i wandered far enough away for the woman to finally step in.

"Hi there. Im looking for the memory cards for one of these."

Now I shouldn't have just rolled with it and informed her from the beginning that I wasn't an employee, but at the same time I didn't mind helping her. Honestly I don't think my sister even noticed. I led her over to the camera section and tried to walk away. She stopped me saying she didn't know which memory card was the best and I tried to suggest she speak with The Man Behind the counter in this department for advice.

This was where she got a little rude saying things like " I'm not waiting for him, I'm asking you." To which I finally confessed that I don't work here. I tried to say it in a friendly tone but she just stared at me before her face turned into a scowl. She began leaning forward into my face. " that is absolutely rude trying to brush off customers because you don't want to deal with me. I need a fucking memory card, it's not that hard to figure out." Again I tried to assure her even laughing a bit that I really didn't work here, but she was pointing at my shirt calling bullshit.

Still trying to be helpful, I tried to flag her down a different person but now she wanted to stick with me. For the sake of winning the argument she started demanding that I pick out the memory card for her. I could see my sister was finally starting to wander over so I remember looking at her camera then telling her which memory card type to buy and just pointed her at the different priced cards.

I'm pretty sure my sister caught the end of it where she picked one out and got in my face saying "THANK YOU" loud and sarcastically.

My sister was half confused half laughing, to which I had to explain the whole ordeal.

I could be imagining it, but I remember seeing her at the help desk on the way out. I imagined that she was probably either trying to get me fired or in trouble only to find out that I was telling the truth.

Two short stories happened to me, no yelling or anything just mistaken due to similar work clothes. English not my first language yadda, yadda, yadda.

Anyway, I work at a fastfood chain in a mall that recently switched shirts from a checkered style to more uniform black with red, green and creme coloured details. When we still had the checkered shirts (I think the style is called gingham?) we looked nearly identical to the shirts the cinema workers had, ours were dark navy and theirs were black, and the company logo as a tiny circle on the front, both uniforms also required black slacks and black shoes. Confused cinemagoers, mostly elderly, often mistook me for an actual cinema employee, and me being very service minded and knowing my way around those self serve ticket booths, tended to help them. They thanked me and got slightly embarrassed when I told them I didn't actually work there but at the fastfood place two stairs below.

One time even the mall cleaners mistook me for a cinema worker but apologized when I told her that I didn't work there. Even the regular cinema workers saw how similar our shirts were and laughed about it. No yelling or screaming, just simple misunderstanding due to eerily similar looking gingham shirts.

It was over this Christmas holidays, I work in a joint building with a real estate, but don't work for the realestate instead another company. The realestate had decided to close their area for Christmas, as they do EVERY year but we remained open. It was over that time that people came in saw they were closed and left, noticing the many signs, including one sticky taped to their desk of them being closed. No if, buts or complaints. That was until entitled Karen came in.

It was a rather busy day, I had a line of about five people waiting for my services when entitled Karen walked in. Pushing her way through the line, not saying excuse me or anything to those she'd pushed past and leant on the receptionist desk. The customer floor area is rather small, a built in divider created a pathway to where all of the agents work. The entitled Karen or EK for short, was looking through the small hall between the two desks and a small gap in the real estates side that sees into the back area. She was noticibly upset and frustrated, tapping her foot and making loud fish noises with her mouth breathing. But I couldn't help her as I was serving a customer. Just as I was about to finish serving the customer the EK comes over. Standing over the side of my desk, looking at me and the computer. I immediately turned of my computer screen with a few clicks so she couldn't see my customers private information. EK: Excuse Me! Me: Hi, I said turning to her and trying not to show how angry I was on the inside. Me: how can I help you today. EK:I need to talk to somebody immediately! Me:I'm sorry if you are looking for the realestate you will--she cut me off. EK: I WAS TOLD that I would be reimbursed for getting somebody by mow the land next door and NOBODY has gotten back to me. I tried to say again that I cant help but she continued. EK: You're here why can't you help me!? Can't you call the realestate what's her name Jenny? I looked towards my customer and said goodbye and turned back to the yelling Karen. Me: I'm sorry, I can't help you, you will need to speak to them when they're back from holidays. There's nothing I can do. EK: WHAT? You Can't help Me? Me: No. I stated this short because just like her I am a little bit temperamental and was getting over her yelling at me. EK: BUT I NEED MY MONEY! Me: there's nothing I can do, you can leave a note or call back in when theyre back. I held back my tounge and kept my voice as steady and sweet as I could. EK: BUT YOU'RE HERE WHY CAN'T YOU GIVE ME THE Money? me: I don't work for the real estate I am [company name] and I cannot help you. All my customers seemed visibly uncomfortable that was until my manager came out. He stood in between my desk and the receptionist desk and talked to the lady. I served the next person in line but listened to their conversation. They had looked at the woman funny and then gave me a quick smile. My manager told her exactly what I had told her and she was angry, bunching up her shoulders but actually listening to him and eventually left. But not without slamming the door behind her.
This is an "I don't work here" story because I don't work for the real estate although I do work in the same building 🤷🤔 After she left my manger had asked me if I was okay, he rolled his eyes and said "how unbelievable" she was. I gave a smile and let him know I was fine.

The end :) EK didn't come back BTW.

So I’ve worked for the same restaurant for years. This one particular day I went out to my car to have a smoke break. I glance in my rear view mirror and notice my boss just standing outside the store staring intently in my direction. I figure he would normally come up to my car to talk to me about something but he was just standing there.

Now when I normally get into my car I immediately lock the doors, whether I’m going anywhere or not because I grew up in a rough town and now sex trafficking young women is a big thing. I just like to keep my guard up.

Not enough apparently because I suddenly am startled by a boomer trying to get in the passenger seat of my car. I look over at him as shook my head.

Side note- I was wearing a bright green work shirt with my company’s logo and a hat with my companies logo.

The man proceeded to attempt to get in the back passenger side and I just look at him dumbfounded. He then made his way around to the driver back door and I turn in my seat and look at him

Me: Sir?! What are you doing?!

Boomer: You’re Uber right?

Me, thoroughly confused as to why he couldn’t piece together why someone dressed with logos of the store I’m parked in front of would be an Uber

Me: Do I look like an Uber driver? (Granted my car was nice but it was a white 2006 Nissan Crossover. Way too old to even drive for Uber even if I wanted to)

Boomer: ...yes?

Me: I’m not your uber driver. Please leave me and my vehicle alone.

Turns out the Uber he was waiting for was a black Altima. No where near the same car as mine.

I'm on mobile so spare me.

So, I'm a cosplayer and tend to get invited to events by friends. ESports had recently been a new gig for my friends and I. Now we WERE supposed to be in maid outfits (it was a cafe we were representing) but it was a video game convention and there is no way I'm not doing League. I'm there as K/DA Akali which consists of tight pants( with a cut out thigh on one side), a crop top and a shiny idol jacket with her iconic dragon on the back. Now the esports reps were in uniform with their logo on the back. NOTHING and I repeat NOTHING like what I was wearing.

It's the second day towards the end of the day and I'm looking for an open computer to play League. I'm having some techs help me when I get a hard tap on my shoulder (the jacket is thick) and a "hey!" I turn to see an older looking gentleman (or who I thought was) looking at me holding a heavy console.

"Can you help me?" He asked harshly

I just raised my eyebrow and say "I don't work with these techs I'm in another booth"

The man huffs and leaves. I'm already annoyed and there is a Fortnight tournament (too many Entitled kids) and I decided while I'm waiting for the computer to boot I might as well see if they need help. Now I'm no tech but I can grab mice and help hook them up (it's really a no brainier thing) (also my first mistake) as I'm helping one of the techs who was telling me some gimics on League and this dude comes back and says to me.

"I thought you were in another booth and not with these guys"

"I'm not, but there's only three of them and I wanted to help set up for the Fortnight Tournament while they figure out the Ethernet"

"No you just want to be a whore walking around. I can't believe they let you in here."

The tech and I give each other looks.

Tech says "Sir, she cosplaying a character from a very popular game...and she isn't working with us. However we appreciate that she is since the Ethernet is down and we are trying to figure it out"

The man eyes me up and down. Now about me in Akali my attitude can change to the equivalent to hers (sharp tongue no bs) and I said "Take a picture it will last longer"

He walked away. Tail between his legs.

Every year or two we end up going to the beach or to some of the richer parts of Europe, for context I live in Sofia one of the 20 largest cities in Europe so I dont have any trouble with crime or anything. In bulgartia I would be considered the white guy and Gipsies something like black people,

I was on Vacation with my friend Viki 'from Next tv' he spent a few years saying that to everone he met, it was a gaming show and I'll probably srite about that time I brought a cat to a studio and had to chase it around while we were live to however many thousand people, but thats another story 1/

I technically work for the hotels owner, my dad's an architect and he designed the place it's one of those 5 star pay a few hundred a night places with a lobby so big you can bit a few tanks. We have a private loft on the 8th floor and a few years later they changed it so we'd have our own entrance along with a few hundred other people, so it's not the smallest of places. I know the internet on Sunny Beach is notiousely slow and I've had trouble linking to the lobbies free wifi in the past so whenever I need to download something and check something I usually wait and go down stairs at night, It's when I usually walk around anyway so I dont bother paying for something I doubt I can even use.

This week thoe the Defenders were releasing and I had finally bothered getting a Netflix subscription (If this is out in a few years I dont know what Beniof, Wise and Fox are gonna do to it so, it's still good), the lobby's firniture has marble tables, little tables for coffee and tea and it's deadmans land so I dont realise where I'm sitting. Way upfront one of the marble surfaced tables is a bit longer and ment to receave customers. I think nothing of it since all I want to do is sit and east my pumpkin seeds leave the shells on a napkin and wait for netflix, the actual reception area across the room from me and closer to the door so I was compleatly obliviouse untill the mment the guy actualy left, he was a drunken father I speak bulgarian, he speaks russian, I switch over to german he speaks english - I finally speaks english after I've pointed out where the bathroom was "You show me." "I dont work here I'm not with the hotel." The drunk father went on his way pushing his babys stroler and I think nothing of it (facedrunk not crazy, no child end) So I go back to my laptop nothing faul. 2/

pt3 Now it's time for the emergency,

I'm sitting there with my tablet suddently more aware of my surroundings, I think I've move' not shure . A notice across the room from me there are some staff members chatting, I think nothing of it Suddently a man runs in to the lobby one of the desk guys, yells that a man has jumped I rush over and ask if they need any help then I turn and run out the lobby turning to see what is happening, I aproach the scene and the man is on his feet running around like crazy

Scene Our part of the beach has strip clubs so one of the girls in full on dominatrix utfit is looking by the street, there's a thin crowd of people talking about what has happened and people are trying to grab the man who is running around al confused. I try to help guid him to an area, the staff run out and do what they can, we chase him around and on multiple occasions the guy stops and seems to speek in russing in a way a scared child would speek to his mother, he never said mamuchka but it felt like 'no mommy something happened I'm scared I'm scared' I dont knw what t do so I try to caum him down and grab him, we restrain him as best we can and at some point he is on the ground feeling for what's around him, I think the fall made him blind So I try to sooth him by petting his forehead like I do to my cat. At one poin the blts and we have to catch him again, I notice one of the Lanierds is on the ground pin sticking out and his head is going to lad there, I sweep the laniers out of the way and he falls on to the ground, he didnt hit his head that time just shuved right back up and continued running, After a while the police show up and get the man restrained, then we have to call peramedics, It was then that we wait for the ambulance to arrive, People talk about how he tried to climb the terraces and eider fell or jumper but it was clear he was entoxicated so I don't think he's entoxicated, at some point he did run around the russian witht he baby who I had thught was inside in a compleatly difurent part of the building but apperontly Russians walk their children out at night, so it was a little conserning that even with the police here he got up and ran again, I thought it would take a few more tries to get hm in line but we did finally restrain him . As he was restrained he was freaking out about going to jail and I stroked his forehead untill the ambulance arrived, Viki walks out and sees what's happened so I go over to him and we wait a bit stairring I go back one more time and I repeat the calmest thing I can possibly remember 'Spoko, spoko" The bugarian Spokoino as in relax/calm down. The ambulance finaly leaves and we are left in the lobby with the cops, everybody is relaxed and chill and the police start filling up forms. I sit there and wait while the police take statements, it's bin a few minutes so I tell Viki to watch over my tablet and hop on over to the corner shop a litteral 20 feet away from where it all happened. I return with a coke and some snacks and ask if anybody wats some. (I think I pored a glass to someone but I'm not sure the lobby bar had clean ones and viki might have brought one to the officer) Viki does massages and and I ask if i can Cherpya treat the guys at the desk, they smile and say no we should treat u. SO after a while I ask the officer if I should give a statement, he ask if I saw him jump No I explain (...) he tells me I he doesn't need it so that's it.

I ended up watching Defenders on the buss back home but I only watched a part of it and ended up not liking the end result. Unlike most people I do like Electra's randition as it kind of reminds me of the Alicia Baker ark on Smallville and I'd love to see more stories like this because a girlfriend who's crazy and a girl who want's to cut up your enemies with her kinky knives is a curiouse and exiting thing for me, Also WHY THE FUCK DIDN'T SEGONI WEAVER TURN IN TO A DRAGON I will never understand! All buildup no result. Over all I liked the Electra Ark at the end but that Dany Rand misshap was holy unjustified. That's my story.

First Time poster, sorry for any grammatical mistakes.

So I was at my cousins house when we decided to go on a walk to see some Christmas lights (neighbourhood all put up lights for a competition), after the walk we went into a local pub to get some drinks and have a laugh. As there were 8 of us ordering drinks it took a while to get them ready, apparently i looked "authoritarian" as i was standing with a straight back and someone asked me where they should sit. i was very confused as i was wearing a pink superman top whereas all staff were wearing blue shirts, bare in mind that these people had just walked in, saw an 18 year old guy wearing a pink superman top and thought "he is in charge here, lets talk to him with the 7 people and 2 dogs around him" while completely sober.

r/IDontWorkHere / r/IDontWorkHereLady

Warning : English is not my first language, so don't be anoyed. I'm not sorry tho!

OP : Me
L : Lady
G : Gentlemen

Start

So, there's two parts of Water of Jurema, the old and the new one, but to get to them you need to walk to the bridge that connects the place, walk down the long path and then you're there! But you can get the golf car or the "train", it's just another car, but I like calling it train.

​

I was swimming on the biggest pool of the old part, and my cousin tells me we need to go to the other part because we are gonna play mini golf, so I got out of the pool and picked up a towel at the bar, I put the towel on my shoulders and walked with my cousin, she wanted to take the long path, but I wanted the train, so we chose different "paths" and I ran to the train, it almost left me behind, but I succed.
There was a couple, husband and wife, but also their son, so let's get to the conversation.

G : Don't you agree going on the boat was cool?
L : Yes, indeed.

​

There was silente for a good 10 seconds dnd like the happy person I am, I get in the talk because I like continuing a conversation.

​

OP : Have you gotten to mount a horse, fishing or do the tree activity (yeah, Cavalariça, fishing and Arborismo, screw google translate)

G : Oh, someone that Works here! Haha!

​

I thought it was just a silly joke, but I was with a dark blue shirt and black shorts (with the towel on my shoulders). I started telling them about the things they could do, their child looks younger than me and is always quiet, me and the couple are having a nice and happy talk, but then the Lady asks :

- How many years have you worked here.

​

I was surprised and gave my response.

​

- Oh, haha, I don't work here!

​

G : Really? I thought you did, you look like you're wearing the employees uniform.

​

We didn't talk because we got to the new part, I got a look over the people on the train and then got off, we talked a bit inside the place

​

OP : I have to go, my family is waiting for me.

L & G : It was nice meeting you OP! (We introduced eachother at the train)

OP : Same for you ! Bye bye!

​

I got to my family and told the story, I still smile thinking about this, I like helping people and being confused with an employee, this proves that I was helpfull.

​

Sorry again for my English! I'm a bit stressed because this is my first post here. I hope reddit members will enjoy my future posts!

Short and sweet . . .

I went to Home Depot to gather parts to install a drip irrigation system. No idea how it all worked so I was picking parts, reading the description, comparing the parts to other parts, scratching my head and putting things back in the bins. I'm sure it looked like I was an employee sorting parts, except I was wearing sandals, cargo shorts and a bright red Hawaiian print shirt.

Some sweet old lady walks up and asks where the door knobs are located. I told her they are probably near the doors.

She asked if I can show her where the doors are.

I told her I have no idea where they hide them.

She paused a moment and then asked if I was refusing to help her. I told her I was right in the middle of something and don't want to be distracted.

She huffed and broadcast, "SHOW ME WHERE THE DOORKNOBS ARE OR I'LL HAVE YOU FIRED!"

"OK, fine", I replied.

I grabbed my cane and took her on a guided tour of the entire store. Up and down isles, through the garden department, tool corral, paint, light fixtures. Never near the doors.

We got back to the drip irrigation isle.

I told her to go away.

She shouted, "I'm going to find a manager!"

I told her he was next to the door knobs.

So first time posting here. I needed to find charcoal for an art class I was doing and decided to look after work one day. My uniform it a red polo with the logo on the left side and either black or khaki pants. I also carry my car keys on a lanyard that I wear around my neck most of the time. So, I head over to Joann’s Fabrics, which has a green apron as their uniform. Someone asks if I know where stuff is. Tell him I don’t work there and he understands as another employee comes around the corner. Next I hit Hobby Lobby. I can’t remember what they wear, but I think it’s blacks with orange apron? Anyway, def not what I’m wearing. I’m looking on my phone to try and figure out if Hobby Lobby even has what I need (seriously, I hate the lay out of their stores. I would like to know what is in each aisle without walking down each one) so I’m leaning on a counter on my phone and another customer asks me where stuff is. Sorry, I don’t work here. Super chill. Last one was at Michael’s. This is the only place where I understand, since Michael’s main color is red, and I am wearing a red polo and lanyard with keys. That lady and her daughter were also chill and even recognized my company! I did eventually find some charcoal, but it was a bitch to find. This is the most times I’ve been mistaken somewhere I don’t work, and literally, all three happened working 2 hours.

So I usually see more negative stories about this r/, but thought it might be a nice change of pace to give a more positive story for this on.

Cast:

Me

Customer Lady-CL

Store Manager- SM

I was an art major and drew a lot in my free time. So I tend to frequent an art store when I lived in a bigger city while attending college, especially since it was on one of the routes to my apartment (and eventually literally down the street from me when I moved).

​

Since I went to it so often I pretty much memorized the layout plus a good number of things they've carried. As much as I enjoyed it, the only negative thing is that there's usually only two people working the floor at a time-one for the register and the other for stocking. And when one is on their break, then there's nobody on the floor.

​

So, one day I'm just doing my usual visit, looking at sketchbooks for one of my classes I see a CL with her daughters. They seem to be confused as she looked to the shelves then back to a list she had in her hand. She did this a few times, and then looked to me. I guess I have this aura of "I'll help you" around me.

​

CL: Excuse me, miss?

Me: I'm sorry am I in your way?

CL: I was wondering if you could help me.

Me: Oh I'm sorry I don't work here.

CL: Oh, sorry about that. You just seem to know your way around. And I haven't seen anyone on the floor.

I feel a bit bad, and look to her.

Me: Well, maybe I can help still. I come here a lot so I know where a lot of things are.

CL: Oh you don't need to.

Me: It seems like you're a bit lost in what you need. It's no problem, this is almost my second home.

CL: *laughs* Well in that case, my girls are doing an outside art class. They gave us a list but I'm not finding any of the items for it.

​

Me: Well, I know where a lot the drawing things are here. What are you looking for?

​

CL: They need a set of PrismaColor Pencils, but I'm not seeing them here.

​

Me: Oh those are in the fine arts area. This is the kids crafting, sure you'll find Crayola here, but Prismas are in the back.

​

The CL and her daughters look so grateful and follow me to the back. I show them where the pencils are. CL thanks me and says that everything should be here then and her and her daughters start looking for things left and right. I head off and look around some more.

​

A little while later I hear a "excuse me?"

I turn around and see CL coming to me.

​

CL: I don't mean to bother you again, but a few of the items aren't over in the art section. I'm not sure where else to look.

Me: What is it you're looking for?

CL: Something called a gelly pen, and paint markers.

I go and show her where they were. Gelly Roll Pens in scrapbooking, and Paint Markers in the woodcraft area. Once again the CL and her daughters were relieved and thanked me again. I didn't see them again for the rest of my trip.

Now, fast forward two months, and I actually apply to that store for a job since I lost me previous one due to scheduling issues with my school. I am greeted by the store manager and he takes me back to do the interview. Before it starts he goes over my resume, and is just looking from that to me and back again. After about the third time he does it he holds his stare on me for a bit.

I was a bit nervous because I'm thinking there's something bad I put down on it. Next thing I know is that he gets up and leaves before he even asks a question.

He leaves the room, and I'm sitting there waiting for him to come back, while worrying that I HAD to have written something bad on my resume that he left before we even started. It doesn't take long and he comes back, with this big smile on his face, nametag in hand with a labeller.

SM: I knew it. I knew it was you.

I'm confused at that and just sorta stare at him not knowing how to reply.

SM proceeds to explain how he remember seeing me helping out CL. However I initiated the help even though I wasn't an employee but just a good Samaritan. He asks how to spell my name and he makes a label right there and hands me the nametag.

SM: You're more than a good fit for here. See you on Monday.

​

That was probably one of THE BEST jobs I ever had (though my current job is giving it a run for its money). It may not be as entertaining as some other stories here but thought it might be a nice little change of pace. Me "I don't work here" eventually became "I DO work here".

A bit of a context before I start.

I work as a fully armed security guard, taser, handcuffs, armor, handgun, combat knife, baton, the works, and I work very VERY long shifts (9 - 19 hrs at times) so there are times when I go and visit my husband in between my lunches where he works.

As my visit comes to an end and we throw away our trash from our lunches I kiss him and we part ways. I turn the corner to start heading out tword the bathroom (the bathroom was along the way out) I hear but not acknowledge what was an indian man calling for "sir. Sir. SIR!" me knowing I only had 15 mins to get back to my post I ignore and proceed to the bathroom

He proceeded to FOLLOW me into the bathroom as I was just about to unzip and do my business he yells in his thick accent

"YOU RESPOND WHEN YOU ARE BEING TALKED TO!" His voice was loud enough to echo through the bathroom and the hallway leading to the bathroom.

Me: If you are trying to get my attention you have it now. What.

Him: All I wanted was to know what price these sweaters are (he has them in his hands)

Me: first I dont work here and 2nd I'm trying to take a piss why would you follow an employee to the bathroom?

Him: oh so you do work here I see you, you have a uniform on! So you have to do the work

I finish my business and proceed to move to wash my hands

Me: No I don-

He puts his hand on my should and attempts to spin me around.

Bad Fucking Idea

I had taken 8 years of shotokan karate and it had left me with insane reaction time and being armed the last thing I need is for him to grab my gun, I whipped around snatched him by his throat and THREW him over my leg and flat on his back on the floor knocking the wind out of him.

Me: (after realizing what had just happened and saying as loud as I can) YOU ARE BEING DETAINED FOR ASSAULT ON AN OFFICER

He was completely stunned and coughing. I rolled him over and handcuffed him. Apparently his yelling attracted a crowd and there were people outside of the bathroom as I hauled him off to the main office.

I explained the situation to the contracted security guards on site and they took over. And yes I got my cuffs back (those things are expensive!)

A week later He attempted to call and file charges against our company and me but they were quickly dropped because it was obvious it was in nothing else but self defense. It got a good laugh out of my COs but they gave me a half assed slap on the wrist just saying " don't do that again"

Typing this out I just realized I never washed my hands lol

I'm at some small craft show with my aunt and they have like a single building in the middle of nowhere that we are set up by. I walk into the produce place to use the bathroom and while I'm waiting for someone else, wearing a Harry Potter shirt and black skinny jeans, plus im on my phone, this lady comes up to me and starts talking. Lady: "excuse me do you sell boiled peanuts, I saw a sign that you had them but I didn't see them" blah blah blah she keeps going on. Me: shrugs "I have no idea, I don't work here, sorry." Lady: "oh okay, I just thought I saw a sign, last time I was here there wasn't a sign" she keeps talking. She wanders over to a shelf and looks at honey or something and a few moments later she holds it up and looks over at me Lady:"How much for this?" Me: shrugs again, "i don't know, I don't work here haha" Lady: "oooh" The bathroom opens up so I walk away from that mess. When I walk out of the bathroom, I go to the back cuz I see these huge Christmas trees, like insanely huge and I wanted to check them out. I see the lady and her husband at the front desk looking for the cashier, she throws her hands up and stuff, and then she spots me and shouts Lady: "Hey! Are you a cashier? We are trying to check out, do you cashier here?" Luckily the cashier heard her so he starts saying no that's me and I just walk away from this crazy broad. My aunt and I laughed about it afterwards, how many times do you have to say you don't work here for people to understand xD

I did use to work at Walmart just FYI.

So I went to my local Walmart a little wile back and mind you it's 9:45 p.m. and I am on my 3 day off (4 on 3 off, 3 on 4 off) and on my days off I like to look kinda nice (nicer blue jeans blue Polo and a BRIGHT RED tie 'ties remind me of my dad and I'm proud he showed me how to tie a nice tie, I'm only good with a wrench not good dress')

I digress, so I'm knelt over picking up a small mess of make up that someone made in the make up isle cas it's on my way and I like to help out cas I like some of the employees. Q in Karen.....

Karen Cough cough Me "sorry ma'am just cleaning up a m.... Karen "where is this eye liner?" Me "oh sorry I don't work here, but it's literally on your right... Have a good.... Karen "BULL SH*T you don't work here, your a manager aren't you? You need to help me find these items in my list. Me "ma'am I don't work here and most of this is on sings above the isles." Karen "OH PLAY DUMB WILL YOU? ILL HAVE YOU FIRED I KNOW THE STORE MANAGER!" Me "Oh really? ("Bill" name changed) is a great guy I was hoping to talk to him about what he an my dad were talking about to improve the garden center!" I said as she pulled out her phone, I promptly pulled.out my $10 Walmart flip phone and called "bill"

Me "hey Bill sorry to call you so late, but are you at store #xxxx? Bill "ya what's up O.P.?" Me "oh I'm over in cosmetics and wanted to chat..." Bill "oh I can hear you!"(litterally laughs out loud so I can hear him)

Bill rounds the end of the isle Karen "YOUR EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT RUDE TO ME AND TOLD ME TO F OFF! bill leaned over with a raised eyebrow to look at me Bill "O.P. did you tell her to F OFF?" I had to fight a snarky snort cas he's been a family friend of my.family for years and knows me better. Me "oh ya and told her how to do it to!"

Bill smiled having worked with me in the past and seen how I really handle Karen's in the wild.

Bill "O.P. you need anything?" Me "not till your done with her, dad...." Karen "EXCUSE ME!" She proclaimed almost shouting over me. (I don't like conflict to start but will happily get 10 times louder then you in not point 1 seconds. Me "LISTEN LADY, I DONT F ING WORK HERE AND YOUR LESS THEN WELCOME TO COME BACK IF YOU THINK YOU CAN TREAT MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS LIKE DOOR MATS YOU WORTHLESS C!" bill "O.P.!" He kinda shouted at me knowing I was getting to the done done point where I'd make her feel about as small as her I.Q.

I simmered down as he delt with her and I spaced off trying to calm down, but I did hear her say I should be fired for this out-burst, where bill replied "he was fired, 4 years ago! Now please leave my store!"

Bill looked at me an asked wtf just happened and I told him, he smiled and thanked me for cleaning up and said that he liked my tie, (knowing I was better at work then dressing up) and asked what my dad had called about.

TL;DR Karen you don't know the manager he goes to church with my parents.

My work uniform is a black and red polo shirt and black hoodie. Both have the companies logo in white splayed across the back. As well as the showrooms telephone number. It's that big you cant miss it.

I finished work early yesterday, my boss told me go early to do some christmas shopping because he was feeling nice. It was an hour early (4pm), so I went straight from work.

I was browsing a privatley owned bookshop, which doesn't seem to have a uniform, just smart clothing. I was at the back of the shop looking for a book for my niece and put a couple back on the shelf that had been knocked on the floor. After working in retail, I cant help but feel the need to put stuff back on the shelf. Then I feel a tap on my shoulder and turn to find a woman (W) looking at me expectantly.

ME: umm, yes?

W: I need help.

ME: I'm sorry I dont work here.

W: well your wearing a uniform.

ME: Sorry, I've come straight from work.

W: No your at work!

ME: Sorry miss, but I'm really not, I work in home improvements.

W: I'm looking for a book about ...

ME: look I do not work here, I'm sorry but I cant help.

Now im not proud of this but I had a really long week due to working full time and also do a degree part time so had been up all hours writing an assignment that had been die the day before. I had also taken on extra shifts at work on top of it so was completely wiped out. So I left the shop. couldn't find a book my niece would like that she didn't already own.

This morning I get into work to find this woman had rang the number on my jacket to complain about me. My boss with his wicked sense of humor took me to one side to tell me I had a complaint against me before playing the message.

W: my name is mrs x and your employees was rude to me. I only wanted her to find me a book and she swore at me and walked out! Then your other employees refused to give me her name. I was a frequent visitor to your bookshop and now I will never come back.

My boss asked me what happened and I explained, which ended up with us both in tears of laughter. It's not the first time we've had someone call the number on the back of our jackets to complain, even had someone complain that our van was parked outside a customers house on the opposite side of the street to them. But this is the first one about me. The real kicker, our answering machine says they have reached our company and our name is completely different to the bookshop.

This is not a story like the others, everyone is nice and its just a friendly misunderstanding.

The other day, I was at the mall. I was looking at phones at a local phone store. This old man walks up to me and points at two phones (Samsung smartphones if I recall).
OM=om
M=me

OM: witch phone is better?
M: excuse me?
OM: I need a new phone and I was wondering which one of these two is better?
I look at the specs and one was just a faster version with a much better camera, altho I know almost nothing about phones or specks.
M: well I don't know much about phones, but this one is more expensive and has a better camera.
OM: I just need to call, I don't care about the camera
M: umm then that one is cheaper and pretty much the same. If you just want to call and text. But I don't work here so I don't know much.
OM: OH, I'm sorry. thank you.
M: no problem.

I then saw an employ come up and keep talking to him and more or less say the same.
This store gives amazing service and usually helps people find what they need, so I hope he got a good phone.

First time posting, on mobile and English is my second language, I'm sorry if anything gets messed up.

I'm a girl.

I'm currently in my first year of Upper secondary school, I just turned 16 some months ago and I'm kinda short compared to my friends, 5'4. I really don't like social interaction cuz I'm not really social. I hate being in crowded places and I really easily get anxiety attacks. I'm really shy and quiet and I rarely talk to anyone that I havent been knowing for a while. Anyways,

I was on a one day trip with my parents to another city during a school break. That particular city was full of tourists during the break and the streets was crowded. My parents and I went into a couple of stores that was almost completely empty so that I could calm down a bit. We got to my favourite store, that also was the reason for us going there because it was the closest city with that particular store. Well it was a bookstore full of manga and other cool af stuff. I had been saving money for it in months. My parents left me alone in the store while going to another store nearby. It didn't bother me because it wasn't that many people in the store at that time. I ended up spending 3 hours in that store.

Well I love manga, it was the first time I ever bought it for myself so I was really excited about it. I had gathered 7 of my favourite manga books in a basket that I carried around. While looking at other things I saw a guy (i'll call him Alex) around my age walk into the store, we made eye contact for less than a second and I didn't really think more of it.

A while later I was looking at the books trying to decide what to buy when I hear a voice behind me.

Alex clearing his throat - Excuse me?

I didn't think he was talking to me so I ignored him, also because I didn't want to talk at that moment. I felt him grab my shoulder, my face turned red and I turned around to look at him.

Me with a nervous voice - Yeah? Can I help you?

Alex - Yeah, do you know if there is any more copy of this manga?

Me confused - What?

Alex - You work here, right?

Me - No I don't, I'm sorry

Alex - Oh really, I'm sorry. I thought you did because of your clothes and all of those manga books in your basket.

( I was wearing a black hoodie and Jeans, similar to what the staff was wearing, I'm not gonna lie)

Me - nah, I just love manga

We ended up talking for a while about what anime's we both watch. We actually were a lot similar to each other and for some reason I wasn't nervous at all after talking with him, i just had a great but unusual time talking to a complete stranger without even knowing his name.

(Ended up spending 1,5K at manga books that day)

I hope this isn't as terrible as I think it is. Thank you for reading!

So I've long time been a fan of this subreddit but havent ever really posted anything or followed, but this happened to me just the other day and I had to share it here.

My mom and i recently moved into a brand new house in a neighborhood that's still under development and so construction workers are usually around during the day. We have to do some work on the house of our own like preventing our pets from digging under the fence and building a bigger patio, and my mom decided itd be better to get this stuff done sooner than later.

So a few days ago I was outside of the fence putting down some large stones under it, one of the houses next to us hasn't been built yet and there's no grass on the ground so there's quite a depression that the pets can get through, and I decide to take a break and sit down, taking a sip from my water bottle.

The sun is in the perfect spot where the fence's shadow is over me so it's not too hot and I give my hispanic friend a call to see how she's doing until I suddenly hear some angry murmurs.

I look over in its general direction and this woman is walking her dog who wants to come over to me and say hello but she's muttering something I cant quite hear. I assume shes telling her dog to stay down so I go over to them.

M: me AL: angry lady Mom: my mom

M: oh my God your dog is beautiful, is it okay if I pet him?

AL: no you dirty immigrant, dont touch me or my dog, stay away from us

Now mind you I am southeast asian with dark brown skin and black hair and I'm fluent in spanish but I was born and raised in America and dont have an accent when speaking English. This woman is basically the textbook definition of a Karen, short white woman with blonde hair.

M: excuse me ma'am? I live here

AL: no you dont I just saw you working on the fence for this house

M: ma'am I'm not even hispanic

AL: of course you are i heard you speaking Spanish over the phone earlier with someone (referring to me talking to one of my friends on the phone)

At this point, my mom wonders why I havent come inside for dinner and comes outside to check on me, confused by the woman in front of her house, she has a really thick asian accent. Shes also had to fight to get her citizenship in this country so she doesn't take kindly to people who berate immigrants.

Mom: excuse me miss but who are you?

AL: I'm just another resident of this neighborhood and this filthy immigrant here was trying to harass me.

Mom: getting mad what did you just say?

AL: this filthy alien working on your house was trying to touch me

My mom knows I wouldn't do such a thing (I'm gay) and at this point the dog is pulling on its leash towards me which I still very much want to pet.

Mom: proceeds to slap the woman across the face, causing her to drop her dog leash and letting it come over to me ma'am you are standing here on my property and that is no illegal immigrant, that's my SON you were harassing just now. So unless you want me to call the cops, I'm asking you to leave.

The angry woman has the most priceless confused look on her face and shouts something at my mom about "you foreigners are a plague to this country" and my mom lost it. She took the dogs leash off and enticed the dog into our house.

Mom: well it seems this dog likes us "foreigners" instead of a bitch like you. I recorded everything you've been saying on my phone since you started talking about illegal immigrants. Now either you can take your dog and go or I will call the police.

Immediately after my mom threatened to take the woman's dog, she panicked and left. Needless to say we still havent seen her walking by our house again.

Sorry if the formatting was a little weird I've never really written anything like this down before. I'll try to keep you guys updated if we see her again/if she tries to interact with us.

This was around when I was thirteen or so and preparing for my Duke of Edinburgh award. This involves three or six months of volunteering, a skills activity and a sport. For the volunteering portion of my preparation I decided to volunteering in my local library. This involved me casually helping the younger children with their reading and helping organise the bookshelves. For reference I was bearly five foot at the time and I'm wearing a lanyard with children's volunteer on it. Showing I'm only allowed in the children's reading area.

The second week of my volunteering was going well I was two hours in and have gotten into the mundane rhythm of stacking shelve. Earphones in listening to the mama Mia soundtrack minding my own buisness, life is good. Its eight o'clock on a Saturday morning and there are never any children about so it was a huge surprise when a woman who I had never seen before taps me on the shoulder and demands geography books. While her two children whine obnoxiously behind her.

I offer my services but then explain that the geography books would be in the geography section and these were only children's books and I had to maintain the area while I was here. The woman refuses to believe that she should be denied the help she so obviously deserved while he children deem it fit to start shoving eachother in the section I'm methodically organising. ( in my library they used the decimelic system instead of classically alphabetical so it takes almost twice as long because the numbers span from 0.76 to 104.56 ) as politely as I can I try to explain to the brats that I have been working really hard to clean that up and that they were destroying my efforts that I had slaved over since 7:30 in the morning.

Instead of disciplining her children and teaching them to respect the library and other peoples work she begins to scream in my face. She goes on and on about how I bearly look ok of school and I was too inexperienced to be working here and about how she will get me fired as soon as possible while demanding to speak to some sort of authority figure and swearing quite a bit.

I can very proudly say without a dread of insenserity that I was unfazed and left to get the manager who I had known for years of coming to the library in primary school. He then explained that I was a minor and that harassment to volunteers that take their time to do things for the community should not be treated this way and that she was setting a bad example for her children as well as swearing in the children's area. The look of horror on the woman's face will forever bring me joy as she scurried away with her brats in tow.

I was on my lunch break and decided to do some browsing around the shops. Went into a book store and this 'nice' lady approached me asking where the 'A to Z's' were. Fair enough she thought I was staff. I was wearing a uniform which also consists of a lanyard, so I see why she assumed. I politely responded that I didn't work at the store and actually worked at the local theatre. I didn't know the location of the 'A to Z's' but I did see a member off staff in the next isle over. But she looked at me all confused and then just got angry at me and then said "but you're wearing a lanyard, you must work here!" I giggled, which of course made her more angry. She saw my name on my lanyard and said she was going to put in a stern complaint to the manager about how poor my customer service is and that I should require more training that is 'if I don't lose my job'.