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The original was posted on /r/maliciouscompliance by /u/its_Vantango on 2025-02-28 21:57:11+00:00.
Back when I was a new cashier at a grocery store, I unknowingly pulled off my first act of malicious compliance. It was 9:58 PM, just two minutes before closing. The deli was spotless, equipment shut down, and everyone relieved the night was almost over.
Then, a customer arrived with a demand: freshly sliced Boar's Head turkey at precisely level "4." I politely offered pre-sliced turkey at a "3," neatly packaged and ready to go. They refused, dramatically declaring, "I would've even settled for store-brand, but clearly you refuse to negotiate."
I froze completely out of sheer panic. Unable to speak or move, I unintentionally created an awkward silence. The customer interpreted my frozen terror as firm, unwavering defiance. A tense stare-off ensued, lasting just long enough for the customer to finally yield, muttering threats about Yelp on the way out.
They left a colorful 2-star review, accusing me of "refusing basic turkey-slicing courtesy." My manager read it, shrugged, and said, "Well done, you followed policy perfectly."
I had accidentally complied maliciously, and strangely enough, customers praised me for standing my ground.
Retail really is something else.