Give Me A Break
(I work at a famous pizza place that is designed for kids, complete with play tunnels, birthday parties, walk-around characters, and shows of singing animatronic characters every half hour. This takes place on a weekend, which are our busiest days.)
Me: *to a customer* “Hi, welcome [pizza place]. What can I get for you today?”
(Suddenly, my coworker pushes me out of the way and proceeds to use my register to clock out for a break.)
Coworker: *to me* “Hey, ring me up a—”
Me: “Sorry, [coworker] but, as you can see, I have a line here, and I’m the only one ringing up orders. Let me get this line down first, and then I’ll—”
Coworker: “Look, I just worked my first hour, so I’m getting a break. Ring me up my food before I tell the manager that you’re slacking off!”
Customer: “Hey, she’s doing her job here, and she’s doing a great job at it. You can wait your turn like everyone else! And I really doubt that your manager told you it’s okay to take your break now when there’s a rush like this.”
(To illustrate her point, the customer gestures to a line full of customers that is growing larger by the minute.)
Coworker: *turns beet red and rushes off*
Me: *to customer* “I’m sorry about that. Now, what can I get you?”
Customer: *shakes head* “There’s always at least one lazy person, no matter where you work!”



