It doesn't matter which branch of retail you work in, you encounter the same tropes of members of the public on a regular basis.
Some you look forward to seeing, and are sad if you miss them. Then there are the ones who's make you dive out the back and hide until they're gone.
Lets go through a few and see if they immediately bring to mind some of your regular customers!
The Whiner
They'll not make it out of the door with some sort of complaint. It was cheaper last week. You should be ashamed, charging that much. That item has a price missing. That item is out of date. If they don't find something wrong their visit is a failure. It's like they're an area manager or something.
The Character
Often a retired man. Wears loud shirts and dress shoes with shorts. Utters phrases like, cheer up it might never happen, it's only a joke, smile more, it won't hurt. Definitely claps if someone drops a plate in a restaurant. Wonders why everyone isn't jolly like he is. Turns out everyone is a lot jollier when they're not in his presence.
The Hyperactive Student
Super fun, brightens up the shift when they come in. You have a good laugh with them, they seem like they'd be a super cool best friend if you were a bit younger. One day they enquire about a job because the place looks like it would be super fun. On reflection you realise they'd be an absolute nightmare to spend more than ten minutes with.
The Old People
Doddering about, getting in the way... Then you end up talking to one of them and it turns out they're lovely. You realise the reason they're in everyday is that you're one of the few people in this world that they have to talk to. So you make the effort to stop for a chat no matter how busy it is and make a mental note to visit your Gran more often.
The Unruly Child
You have to assemble a team to clear up in their wake. They'll be climbing shelves, tunnelling under gondolas. Nothing can be left untouched. The parent is oblivious until they utter the phrase, 'Stop doing that or the shopkeeper will tell you off.' Parent is a verb as well as a noun. Parent your child!
The Refunder
Straight up to the desk as soon as they come in to return all the things they bought last time they were in. Then they buy another haul and the sequence is repeated. They never have the receipt handy though. It's always in a big wodge of crumpled slips. I know it's here somewhere, they say. Maybe have it ready before you come to the counter? Just a thought.
The Entire Family
Why do something everyone likes on a Saturday afternoon when you can do something everyone hates. That's the philosophy of these families. Bring at least three generations in one trip. They block the aisles, like a phalanx of pushchairs, walkers and sullen teenagers dragged along for maximum shopping inefficiency. Nothing says family like being miserable together.
The Bargain Hunter
The price is the price, there's no haggling. We're not a market stall. Even if it's on sale they'll want more of a discount. If they do decide they're getting a deal, they'll not leave anything on the shelf for anyone else.
The Silent One
They come in, buy the same thing, never say anything, never cause any trouble. You serve them for years and then all of a sudden they disappear. You wonder what happened to them and have a strange sense of melancholy because a tiny regularity has gone from your life.
The Nice One
They come in after work, same time each day. Have a browse, have a chat. After a while you even know their name. Maybe share a few stories about your families. You find out they asked about you when you weren't in. You've even walked past them in town and they've said hello, even though you weren't in uniform. You barge anyone else off the till to serve them. They're just great.
