Christmas is now just days away so people up and down the country will be heading out to do their last-minute festive shop this week.
The annual trip to your local supermarket can be a stressful experience for everyone involved, thanks to queues, lack of parking and sometimes low stock.
But as you collect your final pieces for the big day, spare a thought for the staff working anti-social hours this festive period.
READ MORE: Christmas opening hours for Dunnes, Tesco, Lidl, SuperValu, Aldi with Christmas Eve reminder issued
Employees at Tesco, Dunnes, Supervalu, Lidl, Aldi, and other favoured food stores work around the clock to make sure we can buy the tasty treats and essentials needed for the big day.
As well as stacking the shelves, working the tills and serving up fresh items at the specialty counters, the hardest part of the job in the run-up to Christmas is dealing with customers.
It’s nice to think that everyone is polite, kind, and understanding all the time, but the reality is that this is not likely the case.
One former Tesco employee has since listed some funny and interesting things they want to tell customers this time of year, and some are very eye-opening.
1. I know it's three minutes until we open, but I can't unlock the doors just because you're standing there
You're early, that's great. But unfortunately, when we open at 7am, that means 7am.
I'm sorry if it's raining, or you're cold. But looking at me with a face like thunder isn't going to speed this process up.
2. Huffing and puffing in the queue won't make me go any quicker on the checkouts
I'm not deliberately going slow - it's just busy in here.
3. We dread asking for someone's ID - and then finding out they're 30 anyway
Feel flattered I'm asking you to prove you're old enough to buy that bottle of vodka, because I'm not doing it for fun.
4. The Tesco fleeces are so incredibly comfortable
They aren't the most flattering items of clothing to wear, but they are amazingly warm in those chilly winter months.
5. The frustration of people gathering around you as you knock 30 cent off a pack of mince
Those yellow stickers are coming out, and its like shoppers can smell them a mile off.
6. The mindless game you play trying to squeeze another box of dolly mix on the shelf so you can finally get it out of the cage
We all know those huge cages can get in the way, but getting the products off them is the real task.
7. My lunch isn't a free Tesco meal deal, let me assure you
Going on lunch and finding yourself short of a few quid so you opt for that Tesco Everyday Value thick sliced bread that your managers generously left in the staff room.
8. That sigh you give when a customer pleads with you to knock some money off
The last box of 10 pack fish fingers has been opened - it's probably just a damaged box but hey, I'll knock 10 per cent off to avoid the drama.
9. The carrier bag charge is definitely not my fault
Rolling your eyes when a customer blames Tesco for the plastic bag charge - I'm all for saving the planet, but don't take it out on the messenger.
10. Clocking onto loyal customers' routines
That's right, Barbara. I see you doing the weekly shop at 7:00 pm every Wednesday.
I saw you last week and the week before that, and the week before that...
11. I hate the self-service tills more than you
And impatiently waving your product in front of the scanner isn't going to make my life any easier.
I hold the power to unlock these bad boys, and the red light flashing above you has already told me you need my help.
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