For many young people, there is no job quite as gruelling as having to work in retail close to the Christmas period – especially when the customers act like “entitled b***-***s”, as one social media user put it.
The mad dash to secure the Christmas essentials by those who were a little less prepared appears to have brought out the worst in people this weekend.
A mass venting of frustrations started when one X user described seeing some awful behaviour from customers during one of the busiest times of the year for Tesco.
Nathan Blood posted on the social media site: “Just got back from Tesco. The way some people treat shop workers winds me up.
“Worked in retail for six years and I do not miss it one bit. It’s not a 19-year-old uni student’s fault that you’ve decided to leave your shopping until two days before Christmas you entitled b***-***s.
“There was a woman moaning at some young Tesco worker that there’s no selection boxes. “HOW CAN YOU NOT HAVE ANY IN STOCK!? They’ve only been on sale since September you berk.”
Dozens commented to share their own experience from the frontlines of last-minute Christmas shopping, with the post quickly gaining nearly 3 million views.
“Well said mate,” said one. “Worked in Sainsbury’s for one Christmas period and was shouted at for not being able to blow up a helium balloon behind my checkout! I had to explain it wasn’t scientifically possible!”
“Same people on Easter Sunday crying there’s no eggs left. Actually had someone complain there was no advent calendars left on the 7th,” added another.
While a third said: “The fresh food shop day I get, you expect it to be busy, but if you are still buying selection boxes today? What is wrong with you people. I think some people think retail assistants are devoid of feelings.”
Another added: “People are a different breed this time of year, don’t miss my retail days at all!”
“Same with hospitality,” said a commenter with a similar experience. “16 and 17-year-olds just trying to make a wage for themselves and they get the worst abuse just because people feel like it,” they said.
One X user pointed out that it was bizarre to treat staff in this way and expect results from screaming in their faces.
They said: “In any event, does anyone genuinely think there’s likely to be a positive pay-off from being rude and obnoxious to the staff in shops regardless? Can’t imagine anyone is likely to be positive and helpful to someone being a b***-**d towards them”.
Others added it was an “unwritten rule” that when working in retail, you should be as unhelpful as possible when someone treats you rudely.
“Our modern version of National Service should be doing a Christmas in retail. You’d get a nicer society overnight,” concluded another.
Some shoppers at Tesco stores have even reportedly been desperately offering bribes for trolleys in a desperate attempt to get their last bits for the festive season when they realised the shop was so crowded there were none left.
