Contextual Innuendos
PHARMACY | RIGHT | JUNE 19, 2012
(I’m at work on a Saturday with a clerk and a pharmacist. I notice the clerk speaking with an elderly woman out front but don’t think much of it. A few minutes later, the clerk comes back with a strange expression on her face and tells me I have to go help the woman.)
Me: “What can I help you with?”
Customer: “I’m looking for a vibrator.”
Me: “A…vibrator?”
Customer: “Yes. I had one, but I used it too much and it wore out.”
Me: “I don’t think we have anything like that. Where did you buy the first one?”
Customer: “At another pharmacy, but I want one with a long handle so it can reach better.”
(At this point I’m biting the inside of my cheek in an effort not to laugh.)
Me: “What kind of vibrator are you looking for, exactly?”
Customer: “You know! One of those that rub your feet!”
Me: “OH! Sorry, we don’t have anything like that.”
Getting Burned Can Be A Pain In The Butt
PHARMACY | RIGHT | JUNE 15, 2012
(It is a very windy day during summer, and a power line has blown over in the field behind our store.)
Me: “Hello, [pharmacy] how may I help you?”
Customer: “I need to see if you have [hemorrhoid cream] in stock.”
Me: “Alright, let me check…”
(At this point, I put him on hold to check our stock when a fireman walks in. He tells us they are evacuating all the buildings in the area, and that we have 5 minutes to get out. I go back to pick up the phone so the customer isn’t on hold forever.)
Me: “Sir, we do have it in stock. However, I can’t help you right now. I’m being told to evacuate the building.”
Customer: “Does it have aloe vera in it?”
Me: “I don’t know. As I said, I need to hang up. Please call back tomorrow.”
Customer: “Can you see if you can order it for me?”
Me: “Sir, there is a field fire right behind the pharmacy and I really can’t answer your questions right now. I was told by the fire department to evacuate. Please, call back another time.”
Customer: “Well, fine then. I’ll just get it somewhere else!” *hangs up*
Out Of Brain Cells
PHARMACY | WORKING | MAY 22, 2012
(At the pharmacy where I work, I do a lot of training of new employees. This day’s trainee is particularly slow on the uptake.)
Me: *to new employee* “Now, when the customer pays in cash and just hands you a bill, you should repeat back to them how much they gave you. For example, when a customer gives you a $20 bill, you say, ‘Out of $20,’ as you make change.”
(This is a technique to help avoid after-the-fact disputes about the denomination of the bills customers hand over.)
New Employee: “Got it.”
(The customer walks up and pays cash, handing him a $20. The new employee says nothing.)
Me: *to new employee* “What are you forgetting?”
New Employee: “Um…”
Me: “Say the amount they gave you.”
New Employee: “Oh, right…”
(The next three customers all pay cash, and as they each fork over a crisp clean $20 bill, the new employee performs flawlessly, verifying that it is indeed “Out of $20” with each transaction. I think he’s finally gotten it down until the fourth customer.)
Misunderstood “Total Coverage”
INSURANCE, MICHIGAN, PHARMACY, STUPID, USA | RIGHT | SEPTEMBER 17, 2010
Me: “Our records show you’ve never had a prescription filled here before, so I’ll need an ID and your insurance.”
Customer: “Here’s my ID. I don’t have my insurance on me, but it’s through [Car Insurance Company].”
Me: “Sir, I think that’s your car insurance. Do you have health insurance?”
Feeling Pooped
HEALTH & BODY, PHARMACY, REVOLTING, SPOUSES & PARTNERS, USA, WISCONSIN | RIGHT | SEPTEMBER 12, 2010
(A couple approaches the counter.)
Me: “Can I help?”
Customer: “Yes, can you give me advice about his stool?”
Me: “I’m sorry, I can’t give medical advice. Perhaps you’d like to speak to our pharmacist, or consult your doctor?”
Customer: “No, I’m sure they’re very busy. I just want someone to tell me if it’s normal.”
Me: “The law says I can’t give advice. Let me get the pharmacist.”
Customer: “No, really, I have some here.” *whips out a clear bag of poo on the counter* “See, it’s all gritty. That’s not normal, is it? Do you have pills for that?”
Me: “Ma’am, you might want to take that to your doctor. We can’t accept biological waste.”
Customer: *to her husband* “See, Joe, I told you it was wrong. That’s why I save them.”
Don’t Hold Your Breath For This One
COLORADO, DRUGS, HEALTH & BODY, PHARMACY, USA | RIGHT | JULY 16, 2010
(I am counseling a patient on using an inhaler.)
Me: “Do you know how to use an inhaler, sir?”
Patient: “Nope, never used one.”
Me: “Okay, you’ll want to begin inhaling, and then depress the inhaler as you are breathing in. Then, hold your breath for as long as possible to allow the medication to be absorbed into your lungs.”
Looking Down The Barrel Of A Smoking Gum
HEALTH & BODY, MADISON, OVERHEARD, PHARMACY, USA, WISCONSIN | RIGHT | JANUARY 3, 2011
(I hear this conversation in my checkout line.)
Customer #1 : “Oh, my God, I love that nicotine gum! It makes my mouth feel all numb.”
Customer #2 : “You know that stuff’s going to get you addicted to cigarettes, right?”
Customer #1 : “Nah! That stuff gets you un-addicted to them and I don’t smoke. I’m fine!”
Children Get Sick Periodically
FAMILY & KIDS, FUNNY, HEALTH & BODY, NEW YORK, PARENTS/GUARDIANS, PHARMACY, REVOLTING, USA | RIGHT | NOVEMBER 19, 2010
(A woman walks into the store with her young daughter. Her daughter looks feverish and is sniffling.)
Customer: “Oh, look, honey. They have candy bars. Go get yourself one while mommy shops for her things.”
(The little girl walks up to the counter and takes a candy bar.)
Me: “Are you feeling okay, little girl?”
Daughter: “My mommy says as long as she gets her tampons, I’ll feel better.”
(The girl suddenly vomits all over the candy bars and on the counter.)
Ear-Waxing Lyrical About Bad Service
BAD BEHAVIOR, ENGLAND, FUNNY, HEALTH & BODY, LONDON, PHARMACY, UK | RIGHT | NOVEMBER 1, 2010
Customer: “I’ve come to pick up my prescription.”
Me: “Oh, I’m really sorry. Due to extenuating circumstances we don’t have a pharmacist at the moment so legally I can’t give out any prescriptions. But if you wait five minutes, a replacement pharmacist will be here and then you can take it.”
Customer: “But I need it. Give it to me!”
Me: “I understand your problem but I would be breaking the law if I gave it to you.”
Customer: “I work in the pharmaceutical industry and I know for a fact you are lying! Give it to me now!”
(The pharmacist arrives and I explain the problem.)
Pharmacist: “I’m really sorry for the inconvenience but my colleague was right, There was nothing she could do. But now that I’m here, you can take your prescription.”
Customer: “Your colleague is a cruel, moral-less b**** with the intelligence of a moron. She has endangered my life! I shall take this to court and win!” *storms out*
Me: *to pharmacist* “What was in her prescription?”
Looking Down The Barrel Of A Smoking Gum
HEALTH & BODY, MADISON, OVERHEARD, PHARMACY, USA, WISCONSIN | RIGHT | JANUARY 3, 2011
(I hear this conversation in my checkout line.)
Customer #1 : “Oh, my God, I love that nicotine gum! It makes my mouth feel all numb.”
Customer #2 : “You know that stuff’s going to get you addicted to cigarettes, right?”
Customer #1 : “Nah! That stuff gets you un-addicted to them and I don’t smoke. I’m fine!”
Children Get Sick Periodically
FAMILY & KIDS, FUNNY, HEALTH & BODY, NEW YORK, PARENTS/GUARDIANS, PHARMACY, REVOLTING, USA | RIGHT | NOVEMBER 19, 2010
(A woman walks into the store with her young daughter. Her daughter looks feverish and is sniffling.)
Customer: “Oh, look, honey. They have candy bars. Go get yourself one while mommy shops for her things.”
(The little girl walks up to the counter and takes a candy bar.)
Me: “Are you feeling okay, little girl?”
Daughter: “My mommy says as long as she gets her tampons, I’ll feel better.”
(The girl suddenly vomits all over the candy bars and on the counter.)
Ear-Waxing Lyrical About Bad Service
BAD BEHAVIOR, ENGLAND, FUNNY, HEALTH & BODY, LONDON, PHARMACY, UK | RIGHT | NOVEMBER 1, 2010
Customer: “I’ve come to pick up my prescription.”
Me: “Oh, I’m really sorry. Due to extenuating circumstances we don’t have a pharmacist at the moment so legally I can’t give out any prescriptions. But if you wait five minutes, a replacement pharmacist will be here and then you can take it.”
Customer: “But I need it. Give it to me!”
Me: “I understand your problem but I would be breaking the law if I gave it to you.”
Customer: “I work in the pharmaceutical industry and I know for a fact you are lying! Give it to me now!”
(The pharmacist arrives and I explain the problem.)
Pharmacist: “I’m really sorry for the inconvenience but my colleague was right, There was nothing she could do. But now that I’m here, you can take your prescription.”
Customer: “Your colleague is a cruel, moral-less b**** with the intelligence of a moron. She has endangered my life! I shall take this to court and win!” *storms out*
Me: *to pharmacist* “What was in her prescription?”
Retired & Extremely Dangerous
BAD BEHAVIOR, GEORGIA, HARASSMENT, PHARMACY, RUDE & RISQUE, USA | RIGHT | OCTOBER 18, 2010
Me: “Thank you for calling [Pharmacy]. May I help you?”
Elderly Female Customer: “I would like to get these two of my medications refilled and I want to pick them up tomorrow afternoon.”
Me: “Okay, ma’am, that will be fine. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
Elderly Female Customer: “Honey, you can come to my house and do me anytime.”
Me: “I, uh, oh, uh…”
Elderly Female Customer: “I hope I didn’t offend you, but I’m old so I can say things like that!”
A Warm And Full(filling) Night In
PHARMACY | RIGHT | DECEMBER 9, 2011
(A man in his mid-30’s approaches the register. I notice that he looks a little grumpy about something.)
Me: “Hello!”
Customer: “Hi.”
(It is at this point that I notice that he only has two items to ring up: a 20oz bottle of soda and an enema.)
Me: “How are you today?”
Customer: “I’m holding an enema, what do you think?!”
Me: *speechless*
(I ring him up silently. Poor guy, I hope he feels better!)
D Is For Definitely Shiny
HOLIDAYS, NEW JERSEY, PHARMACY, RETAIL, STUPID, USA | RIGHT | NOVEMBER 16, 2011
(A customer walks to my register with a Halloween decoration in tow. It’s a cheap cardboard statue of a cartoon-looking black cat covered in a shiny plastic material.)
Customer: “So, why is this 3D?”
Me: “Excuse me?”
(I peer at the tag. It says “3D Cat.”)
Me: “Oh, that’s because it’s 3D.”
Customer: “No, I mean why is it ‘D’? Is it because it’s shiny?”
(A multitude of thoughts are racing through my head at this point. I debate the prospect of explaining to her what 3D actually means. In the end, I decide it’s easier to just agree with her.)
Me: “Exactly! It’s really sparkly and that’s why it’s called a 3D cat. Would you like to purchase it?”
What’s Your Poison
PHARMACY | RIGHT | NOVEMBER 15, 2011
(I’m a pharmacist in a rural area. A shop assistant calls me out from the dispensary to talk to a customer, who is a slightly intoxicated middle aged woman.)
Customer: “This medicine made my partner sick! Violently sick!”
Me: “Let me see. Has he had any alcohol?”
Customer: “No.”
Me: “Are you sure? Not even a little?”
Customer: “He doesn’t drink. Maybe only a little, but he wasn’t drunk.”
Me: “It clearly says on the label that you must not drink any alcohol while being treated with this medicine.”
Customer: “But he didn’t drink much at all. A beer shouldn’t matter, should it?”
Me: “It contains enough alcohol to–”
Customer: “But, like, you can even drive if you only drink a beer!”
Me: “That has nothing to do with–”
Customer: “I think he’d better not take this medicine. It made him violently sick!”
Me: “I think he should–”
Customer: “Thanks, I’ll tell him what you said. This medicine is a poison!” *turns around and walks out*
Have You Tried Dihydrogen Monoxide, Part 3
PHARMACY | RIGHT | NOVEMBER 9, 2011
(I am standing in line at the pharmacy counter and a man rudely cuts in front of me, stating that he has been waiting in line, just in another part of the store. He assures me he’ll be quick, but I don’t buy his excuse. The following exchange occurs between him and the pharmacist.)
Customer: “I need to speak to a pharmacist immediately.”
Pharmacist: “Do you have a question about your medication?”
Customer: “Yes, it says on the bottle to take with water. I don’t drink water. Water makes you fat.”
Pharmacist: “Um, water is essential for your body, especially with those pills.”
Customer: “What about water retention? Will I just pee it out, then?”
Pharmacist: “Yeah, your body will eventually eliminate it. You should drink water, though. Your body needs plenty of water to work well, and you really don’t want to be dehydrated while on this drug.”
Customer: “Okay, I’ll try it. Oh, and one more question. What about alcohol? Can I still have my alcohol?”
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