'Do these smell like the right pants to you?': 20+ Times retail workers had to answer the world's silliest questions from customers

Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor

Oct 17, 2023 3:00 PM EDT

Kudos to these workers who didn't burst out laughing after hearing these customers' questions. I'm sure it wasn't easy to hold in laughter when customers get things so unbelievably wrong.

When you work at a retail store, you quickly learn that customers don't ask a wide range of questions. Even though you spend 40 hours per week at the job, it's potentially a customer's first time there. You end up answering questions like, "Is everything included in this store-wide sale?" or "What aisle is toothpaste on?" repeatedly, and it wears down one's sanity. So it's almost a relief when a customer asks a question that's so deranged, it takes out of your workplace stupor momentarily.

For example, when I worked retail at a clothing store, I had a woman approach me for help buying something for her niece, who was 15. She expected me to just know the size of said niece, who was not present. She also didn't know what item of clothing to buy for the niece, nor did she know her style. Does she like colorful clothing, or neutrals? She had no idea. Some customers really can't be helped, but they want to talk anyway. Just let 'em chatter on!

Next up, this woman dropped her film for one-hour photos at one store, then insisted to pick up the physical prints at another store…do you see the issue here? Because that employee had quite the time explaining it to her.