11 Rude Things Floridians Do at Wawa That Drive Employees Nuts

Wawa is more than just a place to pump gas and grab a coffee. For a lot of Floridians, it’s a comfort zone—a 24/7 hub where you can get a made-to-order hoagie, fresh fruit cup, and sizzling breakfast burrito

But with all that foot traffic comes one big problem: people who forget how to act in public.

From touchscreen takeovers to parking lot power plays, some customers treat Wawa like it’s their personal playground. And the worst part?

They often have no idea how annoying they are being. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at someone talking on speakerphone while ordering a double-shot latte at Wawa, we feel your pain.

Sampling Without Paying First

Wawa isn’t Costco. You can’t just open a pack of peanut butter pretzels and taste test your way through the store before you’ve paid for anything.

But some customers treat Wawa like a buffet, nibbling trail mix, sipping smoothies, or opening a bag of cheddar popcorn while still mid-shop.

It’s frustrating for staff who have to clean up crumbs and spilled drinks around the store.

Of course, you plan to pay for it. But things happen—distractions, changed minds, long lines. Suddenly, that half-eaten oatmeal raisin cookie never makes it to the counter.

If you’re hungry, buy it first. End of story.

Holding Up the Gas Pump

Pumping gas at Wawa is supposed to be quick—tap your card, fill up, and head out.

But some customers treat it like a social hour. They finish pumping, then lean on their car, chatting with a friend, checking texts, or scrolling Wawa’s menu without moving their vehicle.

Meanwhile, another car is waiting behind them with a blinking fuel light and an increasingly impatient driver.

This behavior gets even worse during peak hours. Cars pile up, tensions rise, and all because one person couldn’t take their phone call from a parking spot five feet away.

Gas stations are not for loitering. Once you’re done fueling, pull forward. It’s the easiest way to make Wawa run smoother for everyone.

Hogging the Touchscreen

Wawa’s touchscreens are futuristic. You can customize nearly anything—build your own hoagie, add avocado to your breakfast sandwich, and request extra horseradish on your roast beef.

But some customers take so long at the touchscreen that it’s like they’re decoding ancient runes.

They’ll stand there tapping every option, scrolling endlessly through ingredients like broccoli cheddar soup, spicy garlic pickles, and pepperoni paninis, completely unaware of the crowd growing behind them.

Heaven forbid they realize halfway through they actually wanted the Turkey Gobbler, not the Meatball Classic, and start all over.

It’s one thing to explore the menu. It’s another to monopolize the touchscreen.

If you’re not ready to order, step aside and let someone else breeze through their Tuna Salad Shorti. It keeps things moving and earns you silent gratitude from the caffeine-deprived crowd behind you.

Treating the Coffee Station Like a Personal Café

Wawa’s self-serve coffee bar is legendary. Where else can you mix and match hazelnut, French vanilla, or Cuban roast and top it with your choice of creamers and sweeteners?

But some folks treat it like their own private café, complete with stirring, tasting, and hanging out like they’re waiting for a jazz band to start.

You’ll see customers pouring a Colombian dark roast, then adding milk, then changing their mind and dumping it out before trying the pumpkin spice blend. All while others wait with empty cups and strained patience.

To make matters worse, the stir sticks end up scattered, creamer puddles form, and discarded sugar packets pile up.

Be quick, be tidy, and if you must experiment with caramel drizzle ratios, do it without blocking everyone else from getting their caffeine fix.

Blocking the Cooler

The cold beverage wall at Wawa is a wonderland—rows of Gatorade, Vitaminwater, Wawa-brand teas, energy drinks, cold brews, and those irresistible mango smoothies in plastic cups.

But not everyone treats it like a grab-and-go situation.

They’ll open the glass doors and just stand there, staring blankly at the drinks like the answers to life are hidden behind the shelf of Diet Dr Pepper.

Meanwhile, cold air rushes out, the door fogs up, and other people are left waiting awkwardly for their turn to grab a Mocha Mint Cold Brew.

Open, choose, close. That’s the golden rule. You can always step aside to give it some thought if you need to.

Leaving the Bathroom a Disaster

Wawa’s bathrooms are usually clean, well-lit, and maintained regularly. But you wouldn’t know that after some customers get through with them.

One trip to the restroom and it can go from sparkling to swamp-like in minutes.

Some people leave paper towels on the floor, puddles by the sink, and worse, don’t even flush. Soap drips everywhere, toilet paper rolls unravel, and the trash can sits there while wrappers and tissues pile up around it.

It’s not just gross. It’s disrespectful.

Employees aren’t janitors on demand, and no one wants to dodge mystery moisture just to wash their hands before eating their Chicken Salad Classic.

If you can take the time to grab a Sweet Cream Cold Brew, you can take two seconds to throw your trash away and wipe up your mess.

Arguing Over Hoagie Customizations

Wawa gives customers a ton of flexibility with hoagie orders—extra pickles, no onions, whole wheat rolls, spicy mustard instead of mayo.

But every now and then, someone takes it too far and throws a fit when a sandwich doesn’t meet their overly specific expectations.

They’ll demand it be remade because the lettuce wasn’t shredded enough or the bacon wasn’t crispy to the touch. Or they’ll get combative over add-ons they forgot to select on the screen but still expect for free.

It’s okay to want your sandwich just right. But Wawa workers aren’t psychic. If you forgot to click “no tomato,” that’s not the hoagie maker’s fault.

Be kind, be clear, and if there’s an honest mistake, handle it with decency—not an impromptu lecture on sandwich making.

Acting Like the Parking Lot Is a Personal Driveway

Wawa parking lots can be tight, especially during breakfast or late-night snack rush.

But some drivers make it worse by treating the whole area like their personal parking zone, blocking entrances, double-parking, or leaving their car at the pump while they grab two sizzlis and a caramel cappuccino.

They’ll say, “I’ll just be a second.” Then they vanish for 15 minutes while other customers circle waiting for a spot.

Others take it to the next level by parking in clearly marked no-parking zones or wedging themselves diagonally into half a space. It’s chaos, especially when there’s a perfectly good open spot 15 feet away—they just didn’t want to walk.

You’re not royalty. Park like everyone else and let the Wawa rhythm flow smoothly.

Talking Loudly on Speakerphone

Nothing wrecks the peaceful process of selecting your chocolate chip muffin or grabbing a lemon iced tea at Wawa like someone yelling into their phone.

And it’s rarely a quick “I’m at Wawa, want anything?” Strangers often have to hear a full-blown recap of last night’s drama, told at top volume.

Some customers don’t just talk—they FaceTime.

They’ll walk through the aisles showing off everything from bacon, egg & cheese bagels to the cookie shelf like they’re filming a travel vlog. The rest of us didn’t sign up to be extras in your documentary.

It’s disruptive, unnecessary, and incredibly rude. Not everyone wants to hear about your cousin’s boyfriend or which electrolyte water your friend prefers when they’re hungover.

Pop in earbuds, keep it quick, or better yet, call them back after you’ve checked out.

Taking Forever at the Register Over Lottery Tickets

There’s a special kind of Wawa customer who doesn’t just buy a sandwich and a drink. They also want twenty scratch-offs, five Pick 4s, and a minute-by-minute consultation on lucky numbers.

They’ll fumble for cash, debate ticket designs, and then ask the cashier to scan five losing tickets just to double-check. All while ten people wait in line clutching snacks, gas receipts, and melting pints of mint chip ice cream.

Wawa offers lottery purchases, so we get that this is part of some customers’ orders. But dragging out the process for ten minutes is rude, especially when the cashier can’t move on to the next person until you finish building your dream Powerball entry.

We beg you—buy your sandwich and chips first. Then head to the self-serve machine or step aside to finish your lotto decision without making other customers wait for you.

Leaving Unwanted Items in Totally Random Places

Sometimes a person grabs a yogurt parfait or buffalo chicken wrap and changes their mind halfway to the counter. That’s fine.

But some people toss that item wherever they feel like—on top of the greeting cards, in the candy bin, or wedged between batteries and motor oil.