Anyone who has ever worked in a customer service-related field knows dealing with rude and disrespectful customers can often be the worst part of the job.
Of course, many workplaces will expect hardworking employees to just keep on smiling politely regardless, in accordance with the mantra that 'the customer is always right.'
However, one Post Office, which appears to be in Wales, has taken a strong stand against such behaviour, putting up a sign to warn customers their short tempers simply won't be tolerated.
The sign in question, shared by a local patron, reads, 'If you are grouchy, irritable, or just plain rude: there will be a £10.00 charge for putting up with you."
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A photo of the sign was shared on Reddit, with the customer, who goes by the username u/Zer0daveexpl0it, writing: "My local Post Office has had enough of your s***."
They continued: "I'd like to have been there the day someone was particularly c**** to trigger this. Or it's an attempt at good old British humour. I can see Basil Fawlty having a sign like this.
"Either way, I didn't test the fellow and was done and dusted in less than two minutes."
The word Swyddfa'r - which means Post Office in Welsh - can be seen in the background of the photo. However, it's unclear exactly whereabouts in Wales this pic was snapped.
Fellow Reddit users have been left divided about the sign. While some regard it as a humorous way of dealing with the stresses of dealing with members of the public, others didn't like the idea of being punished for being in a bad mood.
As one unimpressed person noted: "So if my mum dies and I’m in mourning thus feeling a little 'grouchy', but need to send a parcel, I’m going to be charged £10? Moronic."
Another deadpanned: "Sorry if I've had a s*** day due to my anxiety issues and come across as grouchy without realising, you gonna charge me for that?"
However, one former Post Office worker explained exactly why they believe such signs are needed, writing: "Customers used to come in all the time on the phone and expect to be served.
"Super rude, and makes the job so much harder when we had to get certain info before we could process their transaction.
"My manager created a beautiful sign to deal with this. It read something like 'We know your call is important, so we will not interrupt you and will only serve you when your conversation is done'
"It was incredibly satisfying standing and waiting for someone to finish. They'd get annoyed and we just pointed to the sign and carried on not serving them. We also got a lot of appreciative comments from other customers."
Have you spotted a strange or unusual sign while out and about? Email us at julia.banim@reachplc.com
