Being in uniform outside of work

[AirHostess]

Wondering if anyone else has this problem...

I comute to work at the airport. I have a crashpad very close to the airport, just a 5 mins bus ride away. No problem, the bus is normally just filled with airport staff so I don't get any hassle.

When I'm off duty I commute home by coach or train. Now my airline is THE UK airline. We have a very smart designer uniform and people notice you. When I'm dragging my luggage along there is no mistake that I am a flight attendant. It seems an open invitation for people to start chatting away to you and asking you questions about flying, routes or that there best friends aunt's grandson's girlfriend works for an airline. Yeah like I care!

The same in the terminal people start asking me questions where the taxi rank is or how they get into central London? I could be quietly doing some shopping in the foodhall and someone will come up and ask me if the flight from so and so has come in yet. The other day I was on the phone and someone came up to me and asked me where the Underground was. I actually just walked off as I was so cross, I'm not an bloody Tube worker!

I now take off my ID pass so they can't get my staff number and full name and attempt to report me. I only have my first name on my name tag too! I know it sounds harsh but outside of the plane I tend to ignore people, get a book out or plug my headphones in. If someone attempts to chat to me on my commute I just say 'I don't know' or go 'mmmm.' Soon get the hint!

In the terminal people just tend to grab the first person in uniform or with an ID pass that they see. Being cabin crew with luggage and a name badge and wings on I do not know anything about what goes on, on the ground. I just grit my teeth, say I do not know and point them in the general direction of Departures where they will find plenty of ground staff able to help them.

In the airport I can understand. But on public transport home I just don't get it.

[crazylegs]

I've never worn my uniform for any job enroute to work or home, I've always put a jacket on over the top or if it's really hot changed my shirt into a polo shirt or something.

However, I wouldn't ever dream of asking someone who is clearly off duty questions about their job.

[Arcade Man D]

This right here is why I never wore one lick of work clothes outside of work. Not that it helped, since people would come up and ask me for help while I'm wearing a kilt and t-shirt while the guy next to me is in a white shirt, ugly store vest, black slacks and black shoes, which was dress code.

Hopefully when I head back there next time I won't get that. Since I quit that job 3 months ago.

[SG15Z]

I made the mistake of wearing my uniform at a Home Depot once. Someone behind me asked were something was (because a red polo totally equals Home Dept ) I turn around out of habit but before I can say I don't work there she notices her mistake. Thank God, dodged a bullet there.

[Mike Taylor]

I've had it happen twice since I moved down here to Southwest FL.

I was just off work and in Toys R Us shopping when a lady walked up to me to ask for help. I pointed to the yellow price tag on my blue polo and said, "If it's anything at Best Buy I'll be happy to help." She read it, laughed, and apologized.

The second time was in Target. I made the mistake of wearing a red t-shirt in that store. A fellow tried to approach me as I was shopping, but I'd ducked down the next aisle. I'm fairly certain he complained about the "unhelpful bald employee" to a manager.

[Evil Queen]

I get it in Wally World (Wal-Mart). My workshirt is a dark blue button up and I generally wear black or khaki pants.

[cellconnect89]

I can understand being mistaken for an employee of a store if the uniform you're wearing resembles that of the employees' attire, but to this day, I still don't understand how I was mistaken for a CVS employee when I walked in from the Wendy's I managed right next door, with my lime green shirt, black pants, steel toe boots, and drive-thru headset still atop my head.

I assume "employee" means "employee" anywhere..no matter where you are or where you work.

[Bella_Vixen]

A few weeks ago I had to go to Home Depot to pick up some supplies for the gas station.

Apparently, at some point recently, HD went from orange aprons to black shirts and khakis.



I think people just looked at my nametag that said "assistant manager" , and somehow missed the gas station's logo right above it.

[powerboy]

I made the mistake of wearing a blue muscle T once, when I went shopping at Walmart. When I pointed out their mistake, I got told that I should not wear blue. I got her back by stepping on her toes. I was looking at something in another isle and she came down the same one as I. Well I stepped back and I stepped on her toes. Dumb bitch should have said excuse me. and yes I did apologize for that.

[bigpedaler]

We have a Menard's next door to W-M; over there one day to find some building supplies for a project, we get stopped by a customer for help. 'Sorry, we don't work here.' Had to say it three times that day, and never again since. Just an odd day, I guess.

Regardless of what I'm wearing, I guess I just look like a retail worker (OMFG! HELP!!), cuz I get hit up just about every store I go into. Having the little ones with me helps stop that, and since they love a 'road trip', they go with me a LOT!

[Misanthropical]

I don't wear a uniform to work. I wear business casual, so it's not an issue.

I have had people ask me for help or where something is when I'm dressed down and have one of my children with me. Yes, I have had people complain about me not helping them to a manager in a store I have never worked in. I didn't realize that store employees often had a child with them, calling them "mom" and asking if they can buy a toy.

When I worked security I wore a uniform and would sometimes stop at the grocery store after work. People get nervous when they see someone in a uniform walking around the store or driving behind them.

[PepperElf]

that always makes me laugh... customer complaining to the manager about an employee who doesn't actually work for that company...

kinda thing where you just want to go: Go ahead and complain about me. I'm not an employee here so this will be kinda funny!

[draftermatt]

The only time anyone said anything was when I was 15 and working at Quizno's. I was walking home from work, in uniform, and I went through a park. There were people sitting in the park and one asked about "getting a free pizza". I just smiled and kept walking until she started asking me if she could have a dollar, or a five, etc until I told her I had nothing and kept walking home.

[Pezzle]

As my boyfriend puts it, I have the "retail slouch of death". Ive been told it has something to do with actually walking with confidence in a retail store because you can relate to working in one, or somethin' neat like that. Not neandering just walking with a purpose.

[nomorecarts]

I was wearing my work uniform in a store that wears different colored pants, and most employees wear different colored shirts, but they have the store's name on the sleeve if they're the same color, mine is a plain polo I got from personnel