Anyone who’s worked in customer service knows the difference between someone who’s just having a bad day and someone who’s flat-out rude.
Most customers are decent enough—polite, patient, even grateful. However, there are always a few who treat staff like they’re beneath them, and it shows. Whether it’s subtle entitlement or full-on disrespect, these behaviours make it harder for workers to do their job and create a miserable experience for everyone involved. Here are some habits that only rude customers seem to have, and why they’re so frustrating for the people on the other side of the counter.
1. Talking on the phone while being served
There’s something incredibly dismissive about someone scrolling, texting, or chatting away while an employee is trying to help them. It’s not just a bit rude—it completely disregards the fact that there’s a real person standing in front of them, trying to do their job. Being present for a 30-second exchange isn’t asking much. When someone’s distracted by their phone, it turns a simple task into an awkward interaction where the staff member is left waiting for a moment of basic courtesy.
2. Leaving a mess for someone else to clean up
From food scraps left all over a table to clothes tossed around a fitting room, this kind of behaviour sends a clear message: someone else can deal with this. It’s not just messy, it’s entitled. It assumes the employee’s time doesn’t matter. Everyone gets busy or makes a bit of a mess now and then, but leaving a trail behind without any attempt to help or acknowledge it creates extra work and frustration. A little consideration goes a long way, and it’s always noticed.
3. Clicking, waving, or shouting to get attention
There’s a huge difference between politely trying to catch someone’s eye and treating them like they’re there to serve you on demand. Clicking your fingers or yelling across the room is demeaning and instantly puts staff on edge. Most people are doing their best, often juggling several things at once. If someone isn’t immediately available, it’s not personal, and drawing attention in a loud or pushy way just makes things worse for everyone nearby.
4. Blaming staff for things beyond their control
Sometimes an item’s out of stock, a system crashes, or a promotion ends earlier than expected. That’s frustrating, but it’s not the fault of the person on the till or the waiter at your table. Still, some customers lash out anyway. Rude customers often demand someone fix what they can’t control, making accusations or taking their anger out on the nearest person. It’s unfair and unproductive, and it makes the job needlessly miserable.
5. Pushing for discounts when there aren’t any
Trying to haggle in a shop or acting offended when a staff member won’t “just knock a bit off” puts everyone in an uncomfortable position. They’re not being difficult; they’re following rules that aren’t up for debate. Expecting a discount without a valid reason shows a lack of respect for both the employee and the business. If something’s not on offer, pressuring the person at the counter isn’t going to change that. It just creates unnecessary tension.
6. Refusing to use basic manners
Not saying please, thank you, or even acknowledging someone at all turns a simple exchange into something cold and transactional. A little bit of courtesy takes seconds, but it makes all the difference in how people feel. Staff notice when someone treats them like they’re invisible. It doesn’t take grand gestures to be kind, just remembering that there’s a person behind the uniform who deserves a bit of respect like anyone else.
7. Hovering or pacing while someone’s clearly busy
Standing uncomfortably close, sighing loudly, or leaning over the counter doesn’t make things move any faster—it just adds pressure. Most people will help you as soon as they’re able, but rude customers often make things harder by being visibly impatient. That kind of behaviour can fluster staff, make other customers uncomfortable, and create an atmosphere that’s tense for no reason. A bit of patience is all it takes to keep things running smoothly.
8. Making inappropriate jokes or comments
Comments about someone’s appearance, jokes that cross the line, or strange attempts at humour can make staff feel deeply uncomfortable. It might be meant as friendly banter, but it can quickly come across as creepy or invasive. Rude customers often brush it off with “I was only joking,” but that doesn’t make it acceptable. Respecting boundaries and keeping conversations appropriate should be a given, not something that has to be explained.
9. Looking down on younger or newer employees
Talking over someone, questioning their knowledge, or treating them like they’re clueless just because of their age or inexperience is incredibly belittling. Everyone has to start somewhere, and they deserve the same respect as anyone else. Rude customers often assume they know more or treat new staff as if they’re not worth listening to. In reality, a bit of encouragement goes further, and it creates a far better atmosphere for everyone involved.
10. Picking fights over policies
Whether it’s a return window, refund policy, or ID check, these rules aren’t personal. But rude customers often take them as a challenge, arguing endlessly or accusing staff of being unhelpful on purpose. It puts workers in a tough spot, especially when they’re just doing their job as they’ve been told. Disagreeing respectfully is fine, but dragging out a battle over something out of their control is just unfair.
11. Leaving a bad review without saying anything at the time
Sometimes things go wrong, but going straight online to complain without giving anyone a chance to fix it in the moment feels underhanded. It’s not about accountability; it’s about control. If there’s a genuine issue, most places want the chance to make it right. Raising it calmly while you’re still there gives them the opportunity to improve the experience, instead of blindsiding them later with a rant.
12. Talking about staff like they’re not there
There’s something especially rude about customers discussing staff, usually negatively, right in front of them, as if they’re invisible. It’s not only unkind, it’s dehumanising, and it instantly changes the tone of the room. Whether it’s a comment about someone’s speed, accent, or appearance, it’s unnecessary and damaging. Treating people with dignity should never depend on what uniform they’re wearing.
13. Cutting queues or pretending not to see them
Jumping ahead in a line and then acting confused when called out is classic rude customer behaviour. Queueing isn’t just polite; it’s about fairness. Everyone’s time matters, and no one likes being overlooked. This behaviour causes tension between customers and puts staff in the awkward position of needing to step in. It’s avoidable, so just wait your turn like everyone else and avoid the awkward confrontation altogether.
14. Threatening to “get someone fired” over minor things
Whether it’s a cold coffee, a slow response, or a return being declined, threatening someone’s job over a small mistake is cruel. Rude customers use this as leverage, but it’s disproportionate and deeply unfair. People make mistakes, and most are happy to fix them when given the chance. Jumping straight to punishment doesn’t solve the issue; it just makes the workplace more hostile for people who already deal with enough pressure.
15. Treating staff like they’re beneath them
This is the core of it all—the quiet tone, the dismissive language, the subtle body language that says, “You’re not worth my time.” It’s easy to spot, and it creates a toxic dynamic right from the start. Rude customers often act as if being the one spending money puts them above the person providing a service. But decency isn’t transactional. Being kind doesn’t cost anything, and it’s remembered far more than any order ever is.
