Whether you work in a grocery store, have been a bystander, or have taken part in these yourself... chances are that the following is nothing new to you. Regardless, here are some common occurrences as told and discussed by your average employee who enjoys their job regardless of the occasional insanities.

1. "That's OK, *insert rival grocery store* has it anyway," says the customer spitefully.

Ouch. Those razor sharp words make contact with the employee's ears and... well, to be completely honest, the employee will be thinking about every shortcut to the exit that they can suggest! Any decent employee will keep their cool and remain smiling, still willing to help you. It's our job to give you the best possible experience within reason and within our capabilities. Regardless, it's appreciated if you try not to take those things out on employees who have no control over what the store carries, is out of stock in, etc. You can make or break someone's day! Please use those powers for good.

2. Those kids that make you 99.9 percent sure they are the offspring of the devil.

They knock things over. They bump into you and your cart. They kick and scream while simultaneously either grabbing or throwing products. They have terrible manners and no respect for their parents. Hell, they probably even licked something in their path. Ladies and gentleman, we have Bambam and Pebbles Lucifer! When you get a compliment on your children being well behaved or well mannered, we really mean it.

3. The Battle of Self-Checkout.

"Oh wow, it must not have scanned!" Really? REALLY? This is why there is a self-checkout attendant. Granted, people make honest mistakes, but employees do notice the same honest mistake made weekly by the same person... We have these "evil masterminds," but then we have the people who wave the product over the scanner with the UPC in every direction except pointed at the scanner. Needless to say, they get angry and take it out on who else other than the employee. Honestly, I wonder if there is a scientific explanation why so many people in a grocery store are angry.

4. The Anti-Social Rude Butterfly.

Please stay on your phone, talking or texting, not answering any of my questions. I promise I love it, and you'll even be my favorite customer if you wave your hand as if to brush me away from your conversation. Not only is it efficient but it really makes me want to pay attention to things like keeping the bread above other groceries... Though in all seriousness, how was I supposed to know you wanted something a certain way if you didn't have the time to return the hello? Our saving grace as employees is when the person behind this customer will give an understanding look, reassuring us that something is wrong.

5. "Excuse me, do you work here?"

Sometimes I've wanted to say no, just to see what would happen. I don't think it really bothers any employee but we definitely all have laughed about it.

"No, I just wear this store shirt, name tag, and hat as a joke so I will get buried in questions while I shop! Funny, right?"

Please don't be afraid to ask again because of this point, the need for clarification isn't a crime! We just need something to lighten the mood at work, and it's funny for the employees' sake.

6. Grocery store kokes.

I just... I don't know where to begin. It would be a lie to say I want them to stop completely, but it would also be a lie to say even close to 98 percent of them are original.

"If it doesn't ring up the first time, that means it's free!"
"Do I want cash back? I mean, if you're giving it to me for free..."
"Can I have double paper inside of plastic inside another paper bag??"
"What are you sampling?... Ooh can I have the whole thing?!"
"Do you get discounts?"

While these are said way too many times to count in a single day, they do tend to break the occasional monotony of the day even if just for a few seconds.

No matter what, grocery stores are filled with an infinite amount of people, stories, and experiences. It's all a part of the grocery shopping experience. Even with all the craziness, I still love my grocery store and being a part of it

Signed,

Your local grocery store employee