The Curious Case of the Coke-less Delivery

Working in customer service is always an adventure. Sometimes it’s smooth sailing, and other times… well, not so much. The other day, I had one of those “not so much” moments while handling a takeaway order.

The customer had ordered two bottles of full-fat Coke along with their meals. Simple enough, right? Except, as I was bagging up the cold bag, I noticed we were out of stock. No big deal—I figured we’d give the customer a quick ring and see if they wanted something else instead. A totally reasonable, customer-friendly move.

Or so I thought.

The manager gave them a call, trying to do the right thing. “Hi, we’re out of full-fat Coke—would you like a different drink?” The response? “Stop ringing me up, you always ring me up!” Cue confusion. My manager calmly explained, “This is the first time we’ve rung you today. We just need to know what drink you’d like instead.”

The customer’s response? “I don’t care!” Click.

They slammed the phone down on my manager!

Now, customer service teaches you a lot about patience, but after that, we had a little fun with it. My manager told me to just throw in two bottles of Coke Zero. But me, being the ever-thoughtful employee, decided to switch things up. Why give them cold Coke Zero when I could give them something even less satisfying? I opted for two warm bottles of Diet Coke instead.

Petty? Maybe. But after that rude phone call, it felt like the perfect little way to return the favor.

Did the customer complain? Not a word.

Comments

Security Nightmare: My Flat’s Broken Entrance and a Homeless Intruder

Yesterday, I noticed something unsettling—the main entrance to my block of flats had been deliberately damaged. The wiring for the door’s locking system had been ripped out, leaving the entrance completely unsecured. That alone was worrying enough, but what happened next made it even worse. This morning, I woke up to find a homeless person sleeping on the floor in the communal area, just outside my flat. That’s when it hit me—this wasn’t just a minor repair issue; it was a major security risk. Anyone could walk into the building at any time, with no way to keep them out. Looking back, I think I know when this started. Two nights ago, around 9 PM, my buzzer rang. I almost answered it but decided to ignore it—no one should be trying to get into the building at that time. The next day, I noticed the damaged wiring. The lock wasn’t just broken—it had been sabotaged from the inside. That means someone must have been let in, either by another resident or by buzzing random flats until someone...

Patience, Priorities, and Parking Fines: A Night in the Life of a Restaurant Worker

Working in a fast-paced restaurant environment is no easy feat, especially on a chaotic Saturday night. With orders flying in, customers waiting, and the general buzz of a busy shift, it takes a lot to stay grounded and focused. But then, you have moments that make you shake your head—like when a delivery driver decides they’re the centre of the universe. The situation started while I was bagging up a click-and-collect order. We have a process for this: go through each item with the customer to make sure their order is correct. It’s a simple but essential step to avoid any mix-ups or complaints later. While I was in the middle of helping the customer, a delivery driver started interrupting me, insisting that the bag I was handling was his. I told him, politely but firmly, that I was dealing with a customer and he would have to wait his turn. But he kept going on about it, as if his impatience would magically make me prioritize him. I repeated myself—he would have to wait until I finish...

The Struggle of Shared Spaces: Dealing with Inconsiderate Temporary Tenants

Living in a block of flats comes with its fair share of challenges, but one of the most frustrating things is when temporary tenants or visitors treat communal areas like their personal lounge. For the past few weeks, a group of workers—presumably renting a short-term place while working on a construction project—have been turning the entrance of my building into their own smoking den, and it’s making life miserable. These guys show up in their orange hi-vis jackets, rugged boots, and dirty work clothes, plant themselves on the steps, and puff away like it’s their personal smoking area. The problem? The smoke isn’t just an eyesore—it’s seeping into the building, making the entire entrance reek of stale cigarettes. Worse still, every time I come and go, I have to squeeze past them, coughing my lungs up while they sit there without a care in the world. It’s not just the smoking, either. They leave their mess behind—cigarette butts scattered around, empty beer cans tossed on the stairs, t...

My Life Blog

Search This Blog