Why Mississippi Sucks

You are probably coming here so you can read my top 10 list of "Why I Dislike Working With Mississippi Locals." I have had the pleasure of working at 3 PetSmarts now and this one by far has the worse customers. Here's why.

*Note* I have been informed by some people that Columbus, MS does not represent the majority of Mississippi. For Mississippi's sake, I sure hope that's true. This place is seriously the ghetto and there are places you just don't go- ever. That being said, the majority of my customers suck. This does not go for everyone, though, keep that in mind.

Now begins the list "Why I Dislike Working With Mississippi Locals."

1. There are 3 types of white people in this town: white trash, rich b*tches, and military personnel. A few people don't fall under any of these categories, but they are a select few. I'm sure my friend Cari will back this list up. I'll give you one guess as to which category I don't mind working with in general. But you can tell in 5 seconds what category someone will fall under. It's really sad, and sounds really rude, but it's so true.

2. A pet peeve of mine is buying something as important as an animal and not doing any research on it all. I know it's my job to make sure you have everything you need, but you should NOT come in the store, know absolutely nothing about ANY of the animals here and expect me to spend an hour with you trying to figure out what you want. It's technically my job, but it shouldn't be.

3. Birds bite. Why didn't you know that???? It has a mouth. It will bite. And most parakeets, once trained, can actually be great pets.

4. Just because you're pregnant doesn't mean you can jump ahead in line for fish. You also must wait. You are not the only woman out there who has been pregnant.

5. Also, I know you're a rich b*tch, but that doesn't give you the right to cuss out my manager because she replied "Ma'am, I'm bagging fish right now and there are a few people after her, so you are going to have to wait a little bit." That is not something that deserves a formal complain. Especially when you can see that there are twenty people all along the fish wall.

6. No, ma'am, you cannot keep a cichlid in a gallon fish bowl. Do your research.

7. Customer, pointing at fish tag (which has a picture, basic tank requirements, the THE PRICE): Ma'am, how much are these fish?" Really? You're pointing RIGHT AT IT. I seriously think some of the people here can't read. Seriously.

8. Don't flirt with me. Just don't. I don't mind a cute little smile or whatever, but don't take 20 minutes of my time asking me stupid questions like "Can I release this (captive bred) corn snake into the wild when I don't want it anymore?" to keep me talking. Just go away and let me concentrate on the customers that have legitimate questions.

9. Parents. Please tell your kids that to get my attention, grabbing my belt- from the front- is ABSOLUTELY NOT an acceptable way to get my attention. Especially if I'm bagging fish for someone else. NOBODY SHOULD EVER GRAB MY BELT. ESPECIALLY FROM THE FRONT. You are invading my personal space.

10. DO NOT ASK FOR A SPECIFIC FISH. I don't mind not catching a sick one, or getting a white and gold small comet, but if you are getting, say, a yellow guppy, I AM NOT going to get "that one" when there are 20 in there. I can't do it. Oh I can, but it's going to take me WAY longer. And you know what? IT DOESN'T MATTER.

11. The people here are lazy. Like I said before, I have worked at 3 stores. But this store is BY FAR the worse one when it comes to customers putting product back that they don't want. I have never seen so many items in the wrong spot, stuffed behind other product. If you're not going to put it back where it goes, why do you need to waste time hiding it? It took you just as long to do that as it would to take it back. Again, my job is to technically clean up after you, but it shouldn't be. We can't even get the store looking nice because after we close, we're spending most of our time putting stuff away. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.

12. Please do not get mad at me when a lizard set up costs more than you thought it would. Yup, terrariums are expensive. So are lights. So are UVB/UVA bulbs. And yup, you still have to spend money to feed it. It's expensive. That's not my fault. Get a betta instead.

13. No ma'am, I'm not making this up, you can't put that tetra in with your cichlid. They will eat it. Don't get mad at me when I tell you this. It's not my fault the cichlid will do that. I'm trying to SAVE you money. So you should be thanking me instead.

14. Do not come to the back of the store, stand right in front of the fish wall, which is also right next to the hamsters, reptiles, and birds, and then ask me "Do you sell animals here?" Nope. These are all just fake fish. And these people that are asking questions like these aren't joking. That's the sad part.

15. WE ARE NOT A PETTING ZOO. I'm not going to take out all the hamsters so you can pet them. Unless you are seriously interested in getting one, don't waste my time.

I'm sure there will be more to come. It takes a lot to push me over the edge. The people of Columbus have already figured out how to do it. And we've been open for only two weeks.