Most teenagers get a job in the service industry, whether it’s at a restaurant, grocery store, or department store. It’s a great way to learn patience and “people skills”. However,  sometimes it doesn’t go well, and things get weird. Here are some of the worst and weirdest stories from teenagers in the workforce.

“At the department store I work at, it was a Friday night, and I was on the register. As I was checking out a customer, his friend kept trying to make me smile and laugh. Now, this “friend” was a forty-year-old grown man who was shaped like a bodybuilder. He was big, burly, and intimidating. He leans in close to the register before saying, “This register smells nice. Do you smell like this register? Can I smell your hand?” …I didn’t know what to say. We have to be nice to the customers, but how are you supposed to respond to a statement like that? I laughed it off and politely said no. He just said, “I’m weird,” in a carefree voice. Suddenly, he’s asking for my schedule. “Are you working on Tuesday?” I said I didn’t know, and he gives a smile, nods, and says, “I’ll show up on Tuesday.” The worst part? I had to work on Tuesday.”

-Anonymous, 16

“My friend and I were closing at the grocery store we work at. An older man checked out his groceries 5 minutes before we close, and came back into the store. He went over to the flowers and picked out 2 large bouquets, bought them and brought them over to us. He asked which one I wanted, so I awkwardly picked one and he gave the other to my coworker and left. We stared at each other in disbelief and gave the flowers to the last customers in the store, one of the most awkward experiences ever.”

-Anonymous, 17

“I have work in fast food with my two closest friends for six months now. In the back, we have a long hose that sprays water, almost like a pressure washer, to clean the floors and dishes. I was doing dishes and using the hose, then put it down and my friend picked it up and jokingly said he was going to spray it on us. My other friend was stocking the sauces in the fridge and spilled salsa all over herself, the floor, and the fridge, so she set it on top of the counter so she could clean up. The impulsive friend that is holding the water hose decided to spray her, so now she’s soaking wet and covered in salsa. I went over to help her, and I slipped on the water and knocked the rest of the salsa off of the counter. We had a huge mess to clean up and all had to go home either wet or covered in food.”

-Anonymous, 17

“I got a job at a movie theater a few summers ago, don’t get me wrong, I loved working there. Sometimes, it gets crazy. I had worked all day, from open (10 a.m.) to 10 p.m. and was half asleep by 9 p.m. We had just emptied the popcorn and sold the last bucket, but a customer came up and wanted a fresh bucket, and I managed to scrape up enough to make one. Then they asked for a drink, and without thinking, I stuck the popcorn bucket under the fountain drink dispenser and started filling it up. The popcorn was ruined, and there was no more popcorn for the night. The customer was so angry and didn’t seem to think my “I’m tired” excuse was valid. My manager let me go without any consequences, and now I’m more careful of what I’m doing.”

-Anonymous, 18