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50 Receipts That Prove Even A Tiny Slip Of Paper Can Be Funny And Interesting

50 Receipts That Prove Even A Tiny Slip Of Paper Can Be Funny And Interesting

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The written word has the uncanny power to either make or break your day. And all of us have experienced it, whether we’re aware of it or not. Even a small compliment or quality quip can raise your spirits. Meanwhile, a nasty opinion or cruel comment that you read might sour your mood for the entire day. In short, what someone writes can influence others quite a bit.
You probably wouldn’t expect to find a lot of creativity, imagination, and wit in the humble receipt. However, in between the boring lines of black ink, you might stumble upon some truly stunning gems. But it takes a keen eye to spot them, as well as a server, retail worker, or shop owner with a spark of imagination to craft them.
Our team here at Bored Panda has collected some of the most interesting receipts and bills that people have had the pleasure of seeing with their own two eyes. So much so that they just had to snap a picture and share it with everyone online.
As you’re scrolling down, remember to upvote your favorite pics, and let us know in the comments which of these impressed you the most. Don't forget to tip your server!
We reached out to British comedy writer Ariane Sherine, who used to work in retail before, to get her thoughts on editing and how to deal with rude customers. She told Bored Panda why it's far easier to write more than it is to write less, how to self-edit to fit a limited format, and how aspiring writers can find the motivation to create when they're exhausted from their day jobs. You'll find our full interview below. Ariane is the author of 'The How of Happy' and a range of other books. She also shares her witty insights about daily life on Twitter.

#1 A Message On The Bottom Of The Receipt From My Local Peruvian Restaurant

A Message On The Bottom Of The Receipt From My Local Peruvian Restaurant
390points

Bored Panda was interested in getting comedy writer Ariane's opinion as to why it's far easier for most people to write more than to write concisely. After all, editing your work and cutting out anything unnecessary can be incredibly hard!

"It's easy to write more because most people have trouble formulating their ideas into a concise sentence. I'd say the punchier, the better—so think about how you can get across an idea using fewer words," she said.

"Are there any words which essentially mean the same thing and are therefore superfluous? Are there any which don't add to the meaning but which just make the sentence wordier? Take a red pen to them all! (This is why Twitter is great—it demands brevity.)" It's true: having clear limitations to how much you can write can be a blessing. It forces you to self-edit, by necessity.

#2 My Library Receipt Gives Recommendations Based On My Reading History

My Library Receipt Gives Recommendations Based On My Reading History
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290points

#3 The Ink Stains On My Wet Receipt Look Like A Fantasy Map

The Ink Stains On My Wet Receipt Look Like A Fantasy Map
262points

We also asked writer Ariane about the advice that she'd give aspiring writers who are stuck in exhausting service and retail jobs. She said that this is tough to answer.

"I know that when I collapsed in the evenings after a long day on my feet working retail, I didn't want to have to do anything else. I just wanted to zone out and watch telly," she shared her personal experience with Bored Panda.

"I guess the impetus to create is that it's a potential way out of retail if you're successful. Alternatively, make sure you write on your days off."

#4 My Receipt Came With A Cat Typed Onto It

My Receipt Came With A Cat Typed Onto It
259points

#5 The Bottom Of My Rainbow Receipt Says "Pot Of Gold!" In Binary

The Bottom Of My Rainbow Receipt Says "Pot Of Gold!" In Binary
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256points

#6 This Restaurant Has A “Today In History” Section On The Receipt

This Restaurant Has A “Today In History” Section On The Receipt
250points

The comedy writer said that "it was horrendous" to work in retail before. She revealed how workers can keep customers happy, and spilled the beans about how common it was to deal with rude people while on the clock.

"The secret to making a customer happy is generally to be friendly, efficient and good at your job. I was friendly but fell down on the last two requirements," she said.

"Rude customers were very common," Ariane told Bored Panda. "A lot of people assume retail workers are stupid and were incredibly dismissive towards me. Amusingly, I was likely better educated than them and a higher achiever—I'd just fallen on hard times."

#7 Found A Receipt For A Boeing 737 Purchase At Work Today

Found A Receipt For A Boeing 737 Purchase At Work Today
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228points

#8 To Prevent Stores From Evading Tax, Every Receipt In Taiwan Is Automatically A Lottery Ticket, Which Can Win Up To 10 Million Dollars. 360,000 USD

To Prevent Stores From Evading Tax, Every Receipt In Taiwan Is Automatically A Lottery Ticket, Which Can Win Up To 10 Million Dollars. 360,000 USD
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225points

#9 Perfectly Straight Receipt At Self Service Check Out

Perfectly Straight Receipt At Self Service Check Out
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204points

Any server, retail worker, or other member of staff who has the energy and optimism to make jokes and boost their customers’ mood is to be commended. Working in the service industry is incredibly tough. You’re exhausted. You have to deal with rude and tired clients on a nearly daily basis.

And that’s not to mention that the pay often isn’t very fair, considering you have to spend hours and hours on your feet. So to have that drive to push past all of the negatives and craft unique receipts is really marvelous. It might not seem like much, but it can really make your customers’ day. Jokes and silly cartoons? Yes, please, more of those!

It’s honestly great to see servers and shop owners reward their customers for treating them well. Though we’d like to think that most people are nice and kind, the sad reality is that a small number of rude interactions can outweigh the good.

#10 How My Grocery Store Itemizes Their Receipts

How My Grocery Store Itemizes Their Receipts
202points

#11 This Restaurant Bill Is Automatically Split

This Restaurant Bill Is Automatically Split
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191points

#12 My Library Receipt Shows How Much Money I’ve Saved By Using The Library

My Library Receipt Shows How Much Money I’ve Saved By Using The Library
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188points

At the core of it all, it’s essential to remember that the person serving your food and bagging your groceries is a living, breathing human being. They’ve got goals, dreams, ambitions, and fears—just like you. But it’s easy to forget that when cash transactions are involved.

You can get customers to return to your cafe, restaurant, or shop by providing them with a positive experience. How your staff behaves, and how good the food, products, or services are, will either drive them away or impress them so much, they’ll visit you again.

It’s going that extra mile when you don’t necessarily have to that really makes the difference. (And it works in all aspects of life.)

#13 My Supermarket Prints Brain Teasers On The Back Of Its Receipts

My Supermarket Prints Brain Teasers On The Back Of Its Receipts
182points

#14 Asked For No Tomato, They Took It Off My Bill

Asked For No Tomato, They Took It Off My Bill
177points

#15 My Coworker Got A Receipt Of Exactly $7.11 On 7/11 At 7 11

My Coworker Got A Receipt Of Exactly $7.11 On 7/11 At 7 11
173points

“The essence of being a good server is making sure everyone leaves the meal having had a nice time. The essence of being a great server is making sure everyone leaves the meal having had a memorable time. I’m always on the lookout for anything extra I can do to make the night special for our guests. If I overhear a birthday mentioned, we bring out a piece of cake. If someone comes in wearing a Dolphins jersey, we’ll turn on that game if they’re playing. We take pride in our work,” a server working at a fancy restaurant shared with Bored Panda some time ago.

#16 My Grandma's 1956 Polio Vaccine Receipt. It Wasn't Even Free

My Grandma's 1956 Polio Vaccine Receipt. It Wasn't Even Free
166points

#17 Cashier Accidentally Prints Buyer's Entire Purchase History

Cashier Accidentally Prints Buyer's Entire Purchase History
157points

#18 Crossed The International Dateline Today. My First Lunch Receipt In Sydney Is Timestamped 1 Minute Before My Lunch In Los Angeles

Crossed The International Dateline Today. My First Lunch Receipt In Sydney Is Timestamped 1 Minute Before My Lunch In Los Angeles
152points

Meanwhile, when it comes to dealing with rude customers, most servers will pretend that everything’s all right. But beneath that stoic facade, they might feel upset or be full of anger.

Nobody enjoys being looked down on. Nobody wants to be treated like they’re beneath someone else. Nobody deserves it.

#19 My Dad Had A Stroke 2 Years Ago. These Are The Receipts From His Last Ride: 3000+ Miles

My Dad Had A Stroke 2 Years Ago. These Are The Receipts From His Last Ride: 3000+ Miles
137points

#20 A Short, Sad Story On A Library Book Receipt

A Short, Sad Story On A Library Book Receipt
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134points
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