While I have no personal experience with #6, I can definitely vouch for the other 5.    And they are ranked perfectly from 1-5.  In fact, yesterday I read this article at lunch, went back to work and the very first customer I encountered asked me “Do you work here?”  I almost laughed out loud.    The various possible answers danced through my mind (“No, I  always go into stores and stock shelves”  “No, I just thought it would be fun to wear a name badge from each store I shop in”  “No, I’m sitting on the floor going through Easter candy to make sure it’s fresh.”) but of course my angel won out over my devil and I replied with “Yes, how can I help you?”    I also often get the “I don’t speak English well” version which is “Are you working here?”  to which I’m tempted to say “No, but they think I am and they even pay me!”

And yes, yes, the “using your name” thing happens often and it is in fact quite creepy and annoying.  And it’s most often males who do it, which is basically their way of asserting their power over me, i.e. “I know your name, but you don’t know mine.”  At least my name isn’t Dick.

Customers, please stop trying to be nice.  That’s our job.   Here’s the six reasons why.