Customer refused to leave during a power outage as workers dealt with a flooded basement — his reason for staying left them speechless
A power outage during severe weather can make even simple tasks at work difficult. Employees may have to use flashlights, help customers exit safely, and handle other problems at the same time. This was the situation at one workplace when the power went out while the basement was also flooding. Staff politely told a client that his request would have to wait, but what he chose to do while the workers dealt with the outage left them stunned. The incident was later shared by one worker and Reddit user (u/Agile-Ad795) on Friday, September 4, 2026.
The customer was familiar to the staff, visiting about once a month and calling the store regularly. He had also called twice that day before coming in. Shortly before his service, the power went out, leaving employees busy with flashlights and other urgent tasks. The man asked to speak with the co-manager about his order. The employee explained that other issues had to be prioritized, including the flooded basement, and said, "This might not be the best time." Despite this, he stayed in the almost-dark lobby and waited for the co-manager to clear his doubts. Workers were speechless, because not only was he adding to the hassle, he would also be unable to get his query answered since the system wasn't running due to the outage.
The employees were struggling with multiple tasks — they were trying to help the remaining customers exit safely, while the flooding in the basement added another problem they had to handle. A little patience from the man could have made things easier for everyone. The most absurd part was that he complained about the lack of lighting despite being informed about what was happening. Working in a store, one is bound to come across entitled customers now and then. It is crucial to be firm and professional about such interactions. In one such incident, a cashier was stuck when a shopper discovered he did not have enough money to pay for his groceries.
The man was short by just 30 cents, but instead of removing an item, he asked the worker to cover the missing amount from his register. The cashier refused because he could not put his job at risk. He explained that he always made sure his register was even or had a little extra when his shift ended. He instead suggested the man remove something from his cart. However, the customer insisted that the employee should pay the difference. "You better find a way because I am not about to go short on my register," he confidently replied. The shopper eventually found an extra dollar, ending the ordeal quickly.
For more interesting stories, follow u/Agile-Ad795 on their Reddit account.