To have laughed out loud at this retail worker

[Shmee1988]

Today I went to a highstreet branch for some painkillers. I asked the lady behind the counter if they had some cocodomol. She said 'yes, we have our normal cocodomol and our max strength'. I asked if I was allowed to come and read the box and she said no (behind the counter so fair enough) I then asked if she could please explain the difference between the 2, I obviously meant the difference in strength in the active ingredient. Her honest to God, genuine response was 'yes of course, this one is our max strength version...... and this one ....is not'😂I was so taken aback by the utter ridiculousness of her explanation that I had no idea to respond, I just laughed. Anyone had anything similar or did I just encounter a particularly unknowlegable retail worker ?

Welcome to mumsnet. Where OP is wrong for everything they do. She clearly didn’t know the difference and should have reassured you by finding someone who did. Why couldn’t you see the ingredients?

Quite, even after the error has been pointed out, several times.

You said she said something stupid. Look, it all depends on how the encounter went and how it ended. Did you both have a nice friendly giggle at her mistake or was your laugh derogatory (because they can be). Only you and the other lady know, not any of us.

Is the difference between those things not fairly obvious though? Those are stupid questions. I fail to see how what I asked was a stupid question? Care to enlighten me?

Box were locked in a cabinet. I asked if I was allowed to go and read the box and was told no. So I simply asked if she could explain the difference. She pointed at one box and said, this one is max strength, this one is not'.... not at all helpful

Right. I’d be a bit confused myself. I don’t know why you’re receiving backlash.

So you then say, "ok, can you just clarify what it meant by max strength? Is there an indication of the dose? Thanks"

No, of course not lol!!!

Why did you lie about having an English literature and language degree though?!

Because laughing is offensive now don't you know? I've learned something new on MN this evening 😂I honestly was just a bit stumped as to how to respond and it was quite funny so I laughed.

Working in retail sounds like a really difficult job and it's sad to read of your unkind reaction to the lady serving you. Life can be crap enough at work without having to deal with mean spirited people. Other than knowing one is stronger than the other, I think YABU to expect retail workers to have in depth knowledge of the medication and specifics of it as if people had that knowledge, they'd be ... the pharmacist, wouldn't they? Having said that, you should be able to access reading both packs of medication upfront without asking to go behind the counter and ask to see the pharmacist if you needed extra support over it all.

Ordinarily I would have done just that but I was in a hurry. I explained that I was just checking on the strength but not to worry and purchased the normal ones.

That does seem bizarre.

Was looking for this comment too. English literature degree you say?

I used to work in a pub. Our wine selection was pretty much what fell off the back of the truck that week… someone once asked for the wine list and I just had to say ‘red or white’

Sounds like she was being sarcastic?

I don't know the difference between lager and spirits other than they are different types of drinks the same that orange squash is a different drink to coffee.
So If I was asked "what's the difference?" I probably would indeed answer "one is lager, one is spirits".
However....if I was asked the difference in alcohol content that is a completely different question.

And if someone had asked what the difference was, would you have been expected to say 'ones red and ones white' or at least be able to provide a very basic knowledge of what sets the 2 apart? And if not, would you of had the sense to read the label or ask someone else?

There we go then. And I wanted to know what was different in the content of one to the other. If you don't know, read the lable OR ask someone, no?

Well it depends how you left it no?
did you laugh and walk off?
did you both laugh?
did you laugh and say oh that’s funny! do you happen to know the difference in strength? (in a cheerful voice with a warm smile)

if it was the first one then yes, ‘unkind, rude and a bitch’

Yeeeeah… I would say your question wasn’t clear enough, so you should have clarified. Even if it WAS clear enough and she gave you that answer, laughing is rude. It just is. She wasn’t telling a joke. And you clearly thought she was thick, that’s why you started this thread to make fun of her. You were hoping you’d get lots of people laughing along with you at the silly retail girl, but you’ve been called out and now you’re back pedalling. If is was all a light-hearted “we were both laughing together” moment then why would you post an AIBU about it?!! If she did laugh it was probably because you made her feel awkward and she didn’t know what to say. Maybe just reflect on it and be kinder to people 🤷🏻‍♀️

You DIDN'T ask that though.

Of course not. And I fully appreciate you've probably not managed to read the whole thread, but I have said that I laughed and then she laughed, I then told her not to worry and I'll take the normal ones. Smiled, said goodbye and left. It was just funny in its ridiculousness

There's a woman in the USA who does skits about her experiences working in Sephora. Some people are just so obnoxious.

This ⬆️

I do actually have a degree in English language and literature so I'm happy to discuss. Not really the point of my thread though 🙄

Are you going to clarify why you just made this up?!