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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have laughed out loud at this retail worker

550 replies

Shmee1988 · 03/03/2025 17:07

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 ?

OP posts:
StHilarion · 04/03/2025 19:02

I don’t think you were being unreasonable, if that had been me I think I would have assumed the assistant was being sarcastic and not thought it was funny

Original poster
Shmee1988 · 04/03/2025 19:05

kittensinthekitchen · 04/03/2025 15:40

She wasn't incompetent. She was asked a question and answered it.
Why is it her fault that the OP doesn't know how to communicate clearly?

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She didn't answer it though did she? 😂 if she had, I'd of been clear on what the difference is

OP posts:
AngelicKaty · 04/03/2025 19:07

StHilarion · 04/03/2025 19:02

I don’t think you were being unreasonable, if that had been me I think I would have assumed the assistant was being sarcastic and not thought it was funny

Yup, me too. I'd have asked her to get a colleague to help me buy the most appropriate product for my needs.

AngelicKaty · 04/03/2025 19:13

Ineke · 04/03/2025 18:42

Your question was not clear, you should have asked what was the difference in the dosage in mg between the two. She would probably then have given you both packets to see. I also want the highest amount of codeine I can get in OtC meds, so always ask this question.

OP's question was clear. Her exchange with the retail assistant went like this:

OP: Do you have any cocodamol?
RA: Yes, we have our normal cocodamol and our max strength.
OP: Can you please explain the difference between the two?
RA: Yes of course, this one is our max strength version...... and this one ....is not.

How did the RA "explain the difference"? Anyone who thinks the RA's "explanation" was in any way sensible or reasonable needs to give their head a wobble. And if the RA didn't understand OP's question she could have said "Sorry, I'm not sure what you're asking me." This is a JOB that she's being paid to do after all! 🙄

Rainbow1235 · 04/03/2025 19:14

I think this has backfired on u . U was hoping everyone would laugh with you but taking the piss out of anyone is just not on at all . We should be kind to peaple not laughing or chuckling at anyone .

Original poster
Shmee1988 · 04/03/2025 19:27

Rainbow1235 · 04/03/2025 19:14

I think this has backfired on u . U was hoping everyone would laugh with you but taking the piss out of anyone is just not on at all . We should be kind to peaple not laughing or chuckling at anyone .

I am kind. I'm also not apologetic for laughing when someone who is supposed to be able to help me can't, and gives me a stupid answer to a very basic question.

OP posts:
Supersimkin7 · 04/03/2025 19:28

Don’t worry OP, the snipers are out.

Be kind, ladies. 🤣

niadainud · 04/03/2025 19:37

If you asked a sommelier the difference between Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay, you wouldn't expect them to reply, "One is Sauvignon and one is Chardonnay," or, "One is made from Sauvignon grapes and the other isn't," would you?

I realise it's the minority view, but I think the assistant was being unhelpful, lazy or just a bit dim.

Original poster
Shmee1988 · 04/03/2025 19:39

niadainud · 04/03/2025 19:37

If you asked a sommelier the difference between Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay, you wouldn't expect them to reply, "One is Sauvignon and one is Chardonnay," or, "One is made from Sauvignon grapes and the other isn't," would you?

I realise it's the minority view, but I think the assistant was being unhelpful, lazy or just a bit dim.

Exactly! Your view (and mine) did seem to be the minority view yesterday, however the tide seems to be turning a little. I can only surmise that the people who think her response was helpful are also, quite simple.

OP posts:
MissEloiseBridgerton · 04/03/2025 19:47

I work in a pharmacy and would know exactly what the OP meant and would have answered one has 8mg of codeine, and one has 12.8mg of codeine. It's not rocket science.

However if a customer asks to come behind the counter, my back would be up and I would be suspicious. Just ask to see the boxes 😂

Salad666 · 04/03/2025 19:56

Shmee1988 · 03/03/2025 19:35

Thank you !!😀

Show quote history

No worries.

FWIW I don't think you did anything wrong.

I would have known what you meant when you asked the difference but if I was new, tired, stressed, distracted or dealing with my brain fog then I may have said something silly.

Yes you laughed but you also said she laughed. Maybe she felt like an idiot and kicked herself afterwards - I know I have when I've asked something silly and a cashier has laughed at me even when I don't laugh because I'm so embarrassed 😂 - Maybe it's a lesson learnt for both, you to ask your question with specifics and the cashier to think about more and look at the boxes, haha.

I do think it was unnecessary to ask for other examples of retail workers doing things like and can see why others are thinking you are rude and being nasty but I've been the customer asking stupid shit so it's not just one sided 😂.

Original poster
Shmee1988 · 04/03/2025 20:00

MissEloiseBridgerton · 04/03/2025 19:47

I work in a pharmacy and would know exactly what the OP meant and would have answered one has 8mg of codeine, and one has 12.8mg of codeine. It's not rocket science.

However if a customer asks to come behind the counter, my back would be up and I would be suspicious. Just ask to see the boxes 😂

I honestly did think that she'd know what i was asking. She obviously didn't and that's my mistake (apparently). I think in this particular store, because of the layout I explained further up, it's easy to assume you're allowed. At least I had the decency to ask rather than just walk behind lol.

OP posts:
Lifealittleboulder · 04/03/2025 20:02

im thinking it might be time to let this go…

Gwenhwyfar · 04/03/2025 20:11

kittensinthekitchen · 03/03/2025 19:48

Nobody asked her to??

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Fair enough. OP's questions maybe weren't clear enough.

Fernticket · 04/03/2025 20:30

Tryingtokeepgoing · 03/03/2025 17:16

I always find that when people laugh at or about retail, hospitality or any other ‘low paid’ worker it says a lot more about them than it does the person on minimum wage trying to earn a living.

As an ex retail worker, I couldn't agree more.

PolkaDotsLikeALadyBug · 04/03/2025 22:40

CowboyJoanna · 03/03/2025 17:12

Why did you ask for the difference? Isn't it clear: one is max strength and one isn't?

YABU have a biscuit Biscuit

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just no...some max strengths are just added caffeine and sometimes you don't need that eg you want to take it before bed. she should have explained the difference, if you work on the Medicines counter then you should be trained to know what these medicines are. and she as for not being able to read the box that's just ridiculous. I always ask to read the box - why wouldn't you want to read it?!

PolkaDotsLikeALadyBug · 04/03/2025 22:42

kittensinthekitchen · 03/03/2025 22:53

That's really sad, but not at all sure why its relevant

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err that people should be trained to do their Job?!

AngelicKaty · 04/03/2025 22:44

niadainud · 04/03/2025 19:37

If you asked a sommelier the difference between Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay, you wouldn't expect them to reply, "One is Sauvignon and one is Chardonnay," or, "One is made from Sauvignon grapes and the other isn't," would you?

I realise it's the minority view, but I think the assistant was being unhelpful, lazy or just a bit dim.

I agree (and thought the other explanation was that the retail assistant was being sarcastic). I can't believe the number of people defending the RA's response.

FrangipaniBlue · 04/03/2025 23:24

I once went into a toy shop and asked if they had any abacus'. The shop assistant didn't know what I meant so I said "the little wooden things with beads on bars that you slide left to right and can use to count and add up etc"

Her honest to god reply...... "oh! You mean a calculator!"

Confused

I was also once in a cafe and the specials board included a "chicken curry". I asked the waitress how mild or hot it was and she spent several minutes very helpfully explaining that it wasn't too hot like a vindaloo but also wasn't creamy and didn't have coconut like a korma so somewhere in the middle. Sounded lovely so I said "great I'll have the chicken curry please!"

She deadpan looked me in the face and said "sorry there's no chicken curry left"

Ilovecleaning · 04/03/2025 23:27

Doesn’t sound like one of those crazy answers which kick off a great light-hearted thread. It wasn’t that bad an answer.

Notaflippinclue · 04/03/2025 23:38

The difference? This is in a square box and the other is oblong!

Barnets5pSlots · 05/03/2025 00:26

@Shmee1988 do you have any idea of how offensive some of the things you are saying are? I am neurodivergent and I would have taken the question as the shop assistant did - you'd already been told one was max strength (ie higher dose) and the other wasn't. How was the assistant to know that you needed more information than that. Being more specific is necessary as you shouldn't make assumptions about other people's understanding.

Countless other people have mentioned neurodiversity on here and still you keep talking about common sense and it being a stupid answer. Why are you so unwilling to consider that you may have been wrong? For what it's worth, I may be neurodivergent but I do have common sense and I'm not stupid, I have 3 degrees. To me, the question is stupid as it could mean anything.

Also, just because she may have laughed along, doesn't mean you laughing wasn't offensive. I would have laughed out of politeness so as to not make you, the customer, feel awkward. Deep down however I would have felt ridiculed and upset.

TeaAndTattoos · 05/03/2025 00:54

Bit rude to laugh at her she probably just misunderstood what you meant I would assume that the max strength ones just have caffeine added to them they can’t put too much codeine in them otherwise you would need a prescription for them.

ParrotParty · 05/03/2025 00:56

asrl78 · 04/03/2025 18:51

Alternatively it could be because they HAVE to do that, not because they choose to. People who work in public facing services where potentially hazardous substances are involved are going to be tramlined by a ton of regulation, and if they decide based on so-called personal intuition to break any regulation and consequences happen, it will come down on them like a ton of bricks.

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It wasn't policy, never had an issue buying it off anyone else throughout 2 pregnancies and its extremely common to be used in pregnancy. Aspirin isn't even a restricted/over the counter medication as it's usually on the shelf in most shops.

JockTamsonsBairns · 05/03/2025 01:21

If you asked the RA a genuine question, and she misunderstood - giving what you describe as a silly response. Then you both laughed together, what is your AIBU?