Are there certain things you strongly feel you shouldn’t have to pay for? There’re several in my opinion and what makes it especially annoying is that usually, they’re inexpensive items that service providers shouldn’t have a problem covering especially if you’re spending a certain amount of money at their restaurant or supermarket.

You order a soft drink and the waitress doesn’t give you a straw which prompts you to ask for one only to be told to pay up before you get one. Who does that? And for those times you’re in a rush and can’t sit down to enjoy your meal, you’re made to pay for packaging.

How am I supposed to take the food? Do you want me to come with my own container or food flask next time? And then you get to wherever you’re headed and find there’s no fork, ketchup and all the other condiments you should be able to get at a regular fast food restaurant at no extra cost.

What usually saves me is when I take the food home because I can then use my own fork, pepper and such. There have also been times I’ve asked for an extra fork because I planned to share the food with a friend or simply because I know they’re plastic and so break easily and I just want to have a spare just in case but the waitress makes it look like I’m asking for a million dollars!

You have to negotiate for serviettes and toothpicks when they should be availed! I get that businesses have bottom lines and some customers abuse the service sometimes by taking way too many of these items but the average person doesn’t.

The other place I have a problem with is a supermarket I visit regularly because they happen to have certain brands I can’t find anywhere else but the people at checkout are so stingy! I don’t know if it’s just me but I always want to get a receipt just to be sure the tallying is right and I’m not being overcharged so don’t expect me to just be satisfied with the bill on the checkout machine.

Give me a receipt! It’s probably their boss’ order and I understand everybody is always trying to save but come on! I also don’t like how they always try to fit everything in a tiny bag and one of these days, I just might voice my frustration because they just throw everything in there and you get home and your snacks smell like detergent because your supplies were mixed up.

A friend was also complaining about the same thing saying her bags actually rip even before she gets to the car or certain items are squashed because there’s not enough room!

And then of course there are times you aren’t even offered any packaging at all, especially if the item is considered "small”. So many times, I’ve been asked to just slip the deodorant or toothpaste in my handbag which I find offensive because sometimes, while it may indeed appear small, it may have cost a fortune so please pack it for me.