Supermarket employees tirelessly ensure that we have access to all our favourite snacks and essential items.

With Christmas approaching, retail workers are dreading the ambush of customers as they rush to grab their festive shop.

Working in a supermarket extends beyond restocking shelves, operating tills, and serving at counters; a significant part of the job involves interacting with customers.

While one would hope that all customers are always courteous, empathetic, and patient, the reality is often different.

Taking to Reddit, Tesco employees reveal their struggles during the festive season, and unpack things they wished they could say to shoppers but couldn’t due to professional constraints.

1. I didn’t ruin your child’s Christmas if stock ran out

“For me, Christmas starts on December 1, when I’m accused, for the 6th year running of ruining some poor child’s Christmas because the parent hasn’t bought an advent calendar in time.”

2. Stop shopping last minute for your turkey

“We had someone come in on Christmas Eve 10 minutes before closing asking for a turkey. A colleague said we haven’t any left, and the customer screamed, ‘YOU have ruined my Christmas’. Unbelievable.”

3. Online shopping at Christmas is hell

“I was out till midnight last Christmas Eve trying to deliver everyone’s Christmas dinners that should have gone out at 2pm. Who in their right mind relys on Tesco delivering the day before? Longer standing drivers said I should have brought it all back to the store when my shift ended, but I just told myself, ‘What would Santa do?’ This year ‘What would the Grinch do?’.”

4. We can’t open the doors early for you

“I know it’s three minutes until we open, but I can’t unlock the doors just because you’re standing there. You’ve arrived early, which is commendable. However, if our opening time is 7am, it means precisely that. I apologise if it’s raining or if you’re feeling cold. But giving me an angry look won’t expedite the process.”

5. We can’t make checkouts any quicker

“Huffing and puffing in the queue won’t make me go any quicker on the checkouts. I’m not intentionally moving slow – it’s just crowded in here.”

6. Please let us put reduce stock out in peace

“The annoyance of customers swarming around you as you reduce a pack of mince by 30p. As soon as those yellow stickers appear, it’s as if shoppers can sense them from a distance.”

7. Delivery cages are tedious

“The tedious task of trying to fit another box of dolly mix on the shelf to finally clear the cage. Those large cages can be obstructive, but the real challenge lies in unloading the products from them.”

8. We can’t save you money on your shop

“The resigned sigh you emit when a customer begs you to shave off a few pennies. The last box of 10-pack fish fingers has been opened – it’s likely just a damaged box, but I’ll give a 10 percent discount to sidestep any potential drama.”

9. It’s not my fault there’s a bag charge

“The carrier bag charge is certainly not my doing. It’s hard not to roll your eyes when a customer blames Tesco for the 30p plastic bag charge – I’m all for environmental conservation, but don’t shoot the messenger.”