Why do customers in retail stores always bombard you with questions, when you're on your lunch break?

Question

People do this to me all the time at work. Don't they realize that you're not allowed to work off the clock? Can't they see you're no longer wearing a clerk's apron? Can't they read store signs? What's up with that?

And why are so many people offended by this question? Like maybe they've never worked in retail? Probably not. No offense.

Answer 1

I put myself through college by working at Toys R Us. The time clock was at the front of the store and the break room was all the way in the back. You had to clock out for lunch, remove your vest, and make the mad dash to the break room before anyone saw you.
I think that somehow makes you a target. First, you think you are somehow invisible once you remove the vest or nametag, but they can see you carrying it. Also, the blue collared shirt and black pants was a give-away. No one wears those in real life. I was even asked for help once at Target (Hello? They're red and khaki). Hell, I came in on my day off to pick up a pay check in my "civilian" wear and was still stopped. I don't know how they know! Second, since you are rushing back to the break room, you have a certain look of determination. The look of determination sometimes makes you look more intelligent or resembles someone with authority. So, they will stop you.
Honestly, people don't care if you are off the clock. They know that their business pays your wages. So, they are going to believe they take precedence.
They don't want to read the store signs because their time is precious. Its much less time consuming to ask someone than read the signs.
I have some lingering questions from my retail nightmare (many years ago). Maybe someone can shed some light on it.
1. The light above my register is off. The lane itself is barricaded. Other registers are open. The only person in line is the one I am helping. Why then, do people push the barricade out of the way and ask, "Are you open?"
2. The stupid questions.....
"How much does a 50 lb bag of sand weigh?"
While looking at a bike with training wheels..."The box says no brakes, does that mean it doesn't have brakes?"
"I am looking for a rare Star Wars action figure with a short cape and a green light saber, could you check in the back and find it?"
3. My favorite, which makes me ponder how TV and video games are destroying creativity and imagination.....the following exchange occurred while handing a parent the Power Ranger she requested:
Customer: Oh, that's what he wanted. What does it do?
Me: It’s an action figure. He plays with it.
Customer: Yes, but what does it do?
Me: Well, he plays with it and other Power Ranger figures.
Customer: Yes, I know, but what DOES IT DO?

I think she was expecting it to do this enormous light show or her taxes or something.

My final customer gripe.....a customer dropped a container of bubble solution. I had a coworker stand over the spill while I got the wet floor sign and some paper towels. I found the wet floor sign, but had to search for some paper towels. I put the wet floor sign over the bubble spill (like on top of it) and my coworker walked away. I came back with paper towels and found a woman, sitting on the floor. She proceeded to tell me that she slipped on the floor and the store was negligent. She didn't go around the wet floor sign. She decided to move it (although she had plenty of room in the aisle) and slipped. She then proceeded to yell at me, because (although there was a sign over the spill) she thought the wet spill would not be slippery and the sign was deceptive.

Answer 2

As a customer, it is not always apparent that an employee is on a break - or working, for that matter as some workers do seem to be on break at all times. There are times when a customer needs help, and if you are on the floor, they are going to assume you are working - apron or not. Take your break away from the workfloor, and then no one will bother you.
I have a similar thing at my work even though I work at a university in a cubicle. If I take my break at my desk, more often than not I am interrupted by someone needing help regardless of the sign posted "I'm on break". Knowing that they do need help or they would not be there, I first ask if the matter is truly urgent. If so, I help them right away with no problem. If not, I nicely tell them that I will be glad to help them right after my break - and then I follow through on it. Even though it is not the same as a retail store, the point is that if I stepped away from my desk instead of having stayed there for my break, I would not be interrupted by coworkers, the same as you would not if you left the floor. Most of the time I do step away for that time period, unless I am willing to be interrupted in case I am needed - and when I know that my coworkers and/or bosses are on an important deadline I stick around and am aware that what they need is more important than my worrying about "the clock". Part of what is missing today in a lot of places is teamwork and business ethics. If it really bothers you, and you want to stay on the floor for some reason, then at least help them by getting a coworker to help them or point them in that direction so they can get the assistance they need - that is why it is not a self-serve place and why you have a job after all - assistance!

Answer 3

It's pretty funny you should mention this, it happens to me all the time while I'm on break from work. Only difference is I work for Applebee's, you know black pants, red shirt, anyway, there's a Target right by my work, so I might run over there to try to pick some things up. Well apparently people don't know that other people aside from Target employees might actually wear a red shirt, I get asked questions all the time. And if I don't know the answer I get weird looks from people, I'm like, "sorry I work here," and point to the apple. I guess people are just retarded and don't really pay attention.

Answer 4

I used to work in the Book Department at a retail store called Hastings. They'd ask things like "Uh, I'm looking for a book. I don't remember the title. I don't know the author. I can't remember what it's about. I think it had a little bit of orange on the cover. Do you have it?" Morons!

Answer 5

ive never heard this in any retail save!! british subculture is in accordance to complaining - human beings (more often than not) look to don't have any positives to percentage, and to be honest why would you? retails assistants receives a fee peanuts for the interest they do, imagine attempting to thrill actually everyone on a everyday foundation, inventory cabinets and administration queues and money for minimum salary - could be soul destroying!!! complaining is meant to set off a sense of empathy, and now and again cohesion yet when it disturbs you that a lot, locate yet another save to purchase in, you being annoyed about their thoughts-set yet nevertheless procuring type that save does no longer coach your element. if its the client service adventure you elect - locate elsewhere that suits the invoice you're desiring.

Answer 6

I guess where you work, is not very good to customers and they have a lot of question.s If they had signs or workers- that are not on their break- around somewhere they wouldn't have to bother you.
Moreover, maybe you should get out of the store if you dont want to be bothered, am I right or what?

Answer 7

sir before you ask the question picture a person in different career such as a policeman or doctor. Do they say that they are busy when some they comes across with a life threatening or burning issue. or when a person in need really needs help. For example a little old lady had her hand bag being snatch away do the police say "oh thats not my problem" I am off duty no his duty is to serve. so dear friend i implore you that you continue to do the job you are doing with joy and with your endeavour best. You wont regret it I promise.

Answer 8

Because you are there out in the open and look like a reliable source of information. If you don't want to be bother than hide. Be glad people want to come to you for help or just quit the damn job.

Answer 9

For the same reason sales clerks follow us around asking questions when all we want is to shop without someone on commision hanging off our asses.

Answer 10

If you're on your lunch break why are you where the customers can see you? If they can't see you they can't ask questions.