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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I'm always getting mistaken for a shop worker

133 replies

temosmail · 03/08/2023 01:22

AIBU for always being annoyed for always been mistaken for a shop worker or do people not check?

I'm always been mistaken for a shop worker. The other day I went to the B&Q in a pair of flip flops, adidas stripped hoodie, jogging bottoms and had my sunglasses on my head. I was pushing a trolly and someone still thought I worked for B&Q.

Late at night in a not busy McDonald's I was wearing flip flops, long black jogging bottoms and a long grey top. I was sipping on my Oasis and I still got asked to help with the machine.

I'm always alone and minding my own business....

OP posts:
CandyflossKaren · 03/08/2023 01:24

Not really a biggie is it?

Original poster
temosmail · 03/08/2023 01:32

CandyflossKaren · 03/08/2023 01:24

Not really a biggie is it?

Stop it or I'll report you on the passive aggressive thread

OP posts:
TurquoiseThings · 03/08/2023 01:34

It must be pretty annoying! I know someone who went shopping at Sainsbury's in their Tesco uniform and got asked by another customer where something was.

SirSmellyJohn · 03/08/2023 01:36

Me too. I cannot fathom why.

GlobetrottingPercy · 03/08/2023 01:38

A woman once shouted at me as a teenager in Woolworths and threatened to report me to the manager for being so unhelpful - I thought I had actually gone above and beyond to be helpful considering I was just trying to buy a CD single, it took teenage me a while to click that it was because I was wearing a red jumper! That kind of thing I could understand your annoyance a bit more but this just seems more mildly irritating.

JaneJeffer · 03/08/2023 01:39

YABU

CurlyhairedAssassin · 03/08/2023 01:42

How do you know they thought you worked there? What specific thing did they ask that made you think that?

mumtoboys12 · 03/08/2023 01:42

😂

Anamechangeisnotjustforchristmas · 03/08/2023 01:43

You have customer service face.

Ask a friend to look you over, are you giving eye contact, smiling, engaging in the world around you?

I’m constantly being asked where the frozen peas are in Tesco.

Rummikub · 03/08/2023 01:46

Me too. Happens all the time in the supermarket. I have directed people before to
items when asked!

BatheInTheLight · 03/08/2023 01:49

"sorry, I don't work here" (said with a smile). Takes LESS than 2 seconds. Next.

Rummikub · 03/08/2023 02:06

Yes but it’s still annoying sometimes when I’m interrupted from my own little works.

MustBeGinOclock · 03/08/2023 02:15

🤣🤭

ButteryNuts · 03/08/2023 02:18

I've asked customers questions stuff before just because I'm a bit lost and no worker to be found! If they're a regular they might know the answer.

Do you look particularly approachable? Do strangers tend to chat to you?

fullbloom87 · 03/08/2023 02:21

I've never had it happen to me, but then again I'm so short I look about 5 from behind.
Maybe it's what you're wearing. McDonald's workers wear grey tops and you were wearing grey. Who knows but I admit I do sometimes have to stare at members of the public to see if they work there.

Yoyoban · 03/08/2023 02:23

Why do you think they think you work there, rather than that they're just asking you as a fellow customer/ human being?

peakedatseven · 03/08/2023 02:27

AIBU for always being annoyed for always been mistaken for a shop worker or do people not check?

check for what? I’ve had people assume I work in shops before and I just say “sorry, I don’t work here” and that’s the end of it. It’s not a great hardship. I’ve also worked in shops so sometimes I will forget that I don’t work in a particular shop and go into customer service mode and try to help even if I don’t know anything about the shop I’m in.

MissTrip82 · 03/08/2023 02:35

Is it your face?

I have a friendly face, this happens to me all the time. People also tell me their life stories on public transport. It doesn’t annoy me, it’s nice.

My husband has severe RBF. Never happens to him.

OrderOfTheKookaburra · 03/08/2023 02:55

Anamechangeisnotjustforchristmas · 03/08/2023 01:43

You have customer service face.

Ask a friend to look you over, are you giving eye contact, smiling, engaging in the world around you?

I’m constantly being asked where the frozen peas are in Tesco.

Where do you shop that the staff are so engaging? Staff in the floor do their level best to avoid eye contact with customers around here!

Ragwort · 03/08/2023 03:19

Why does it matter? Are you assuming people who work in retail are somewhat 'lesser' than you?

LordSalem · 03/08/2023 03:36

Dress better. Immediately respond "I do not work here". How much more advice do you need? Report us all if you want Grin

Rummikub · 03/08/2023 04:08

if it happens a lot then you do wonder what is it about you.

I think it’s because I don’t carry a bag.

Stressybetty · 03/08/2023 04:17

I get this too, I don't carry a hand bag either. I always seem to get random people talking to me as well, usually elderly. Think I just must look really approachable which is weird as I have proper resting bitch face!

Netaporter · 03/08/2023 04:18

DH when he first moved to live with me (from a very different county) went into a supermarket after work. He was wearing a suit. Obviously looked like the store manager or something. He was perusing something on a shelf when he had this exchange with a little elderly lady (LEL) who approached him :

LEL to DH: “Excuse me”
DH (turns to face LEL) “Ooh sorry, I don’t work here”
LEL (looks at DH) “No, but you can fucking read, can’t you?”
DH (looks back shocked at the sweary LEL) “You are quite right, I can”
LEL (unembarrassed) “Good, what does this fucking label say, I can’t read a label with the print this fucking small”

We still laugh about it now. I don’t think it matters what you are wearing OP 😂

Riapia · 03/08/2023 04:27

I want the LEL to adopt me. What a woman.
😁😁