Retailer/server employees: worst ever customer?

I had a motherfricker roll into a major electronics retailer with several hundred dollars in coins on a slow day back in college. Manager was a piece of shite and made us count it out for them and accept the currency. Guy argued that I shorted him too. No good deed goes unpunished.

Worked at American Eagle in Cortana Mall in college.

There was a group of girls that would shoplift clothes and return them regularly. They were well known and did this at all the stores they knew wouldn't stop them and would accept their return.

One of their returns had a bunch of old Popeyes chicken bones mixed in with the stolen goods.

American Eagle still gave them a refund.

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One of their returns had a bunch of old Popeyes chicken bones mixed in with the stolen goods.

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There's the shiny hook

I worked as a server for exactly two weeks while in college.

Let's just say I quit when I finally got to experience being run ragged by a party of a certain demographic that resulted in multiple returned entrees and no tip.

Definitely not my worst customer ever (I've had some bad ones between working in sporting goods and restaurants/bars), but this one always triggers me when I think of it.

Working the bar top at Mike Anderson's on a Wednesday night a few years ago when I was still in school. Have an AYCE Fried Shrimp special running. Wednesdays were usually pretty good for a week night, but this night was particularly slow.

Guy comes in, orders the shrimp. Looked like a young Larry Fitzgerald with a hat. We get to bullshitting and start talking a lot about NBA, I have a Warriors game on, we're just cutting up and laughing. Since it was slow, he always had my full attention. His drink never dipped below half, I always had fresh shrimp coming for him, close enough proximity to check on him, etc. It was just impossible for him to get bad service with how slow the bar was. End of the night rolls around, he tells me he's ready to close out. I bring him his receipt and thank him, he says how much he enjoyed himself and that he would def be back. He gives me cash, I go and get his change: $1.52.

I go to the other end of the bar and make a drink for someone, then go to fetch the receipt after he leaves. That frickin cocksucker scooped up the dollar and two quarters, leaving me with two pennies. I wanted to pick them up, run into the parking lot, and throw them at him.

I could never have a job where I have to deal with the public in a service capacity.

I would choose to be a garbage man riding around dumping cans over being a server at a low end restaurant. No way could I deal with that much ignorance.

After a short stint in the food industry and having friends who worked in bars/restaurants, I'm left with this timeless quote:

"You don't frick with the people who handle your food." - Monty, Waiting

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There's the shiny hook

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The Cortana part already gave it away.

I've had some weird arse experiences working in restaurants.

Saw a kitchen vent cleaner slip off the grill and step into the (still at 400deg) deep fryer.

Saw a cook get pissed and stab a serrated blade into a cutting board only to have his hand slip and slide down the blade.

I (manager on duty) signed adoption papers as a witness on a slow week day lunch.

Worst customer experience: big mlm company meeting came in 10 minutes before close. I only let them in because it was my friends parents and a few of their friends. Turns out a shitload more were on their way. Endes up probably around 60 people. I had already sent most of the kitchen home by this point. So me and 1 cook had to cook all these meals while our poor FoH girl worked her arse off. They stayed till close to midnight (2 hours past close). End of the night, they left $10 tip. I still tell that friend how big of shitbags his parents are close to 20 years later.

Worst feeling as a server: coming around the bar with a tray full of food and drinks only to slip and wipe out in front of everyone. That one usually gets a few puty tips though.