19 Rude Things Floridians Do at Pharmacies That Make Pharmacists Cringe

There’s something about waiting for a prescription that makes some Floridians forget how to act.

Maybe it’s the sterile lighting. Maybe it’s the long lines. Maybe it’s the fact that your nose is running and you just want to go home. 

These are some of the most common and rudest customer behaviors that make pharmacists cringe.

Demanding Instant Service

Everybody wants to be in and out when visiting the pharmacy. But yelling “how much longer?” every two minutes while standing in line won’t speed things up.

Prescriptions take time. They need to be checked, verified, filled, and double-checked again. Rushing that process is how mistakes can happen.

Think of it this way: Would you want the pharmacist to rush through your medication?

Waiting patiently is part of the deal. You’re not the only one needing medication.

Getting Angry Over Insurance Problems

Here’s the thing: The person at the pharmacy counter didn’t design your insurance plan.

They didn’t set your co-pay. They didn’t decide what’s “not covered.” And they can’t override the system just because you’re upset.

But somehow, they often get the brunt of it.

Blaming them for coverage issues is like yelling at the grocery cashier because your coupon expired.

It’s not fair, and it doesn’t fix anything.

Treating the Employees Like Servants

Pharmacists and techs aren’t your personal assistants.

They’re highly trained professionals juggling prescriptions, insurance issues, and questions from five other customers while helping you. Barking orders or throwing your ID on the counter like you’re at a fast-food joint?

That’s just disrespectful.

A little “please” and “thank you” go a long way, especially when your prescription needs sorting out.

Talking on Speakerphone in Line

There’s a special kind of secondhand embarrassment that comes from hearing someone’s entire conversation on speaker while you’re just trying to pick up your allergy meds.

Pharmacy counters are quiet places by design. People are sick, tired, or dealing with sensitive medical issues. Blasting your phone call turns a private moment into a public show.

Worse? When that call is about personal health stuff.

No one wants to know about your rash or your cousin’s surgery while waiting for their cholesterol meds.

If you have to take a call, that’s fine. But, please—use your indoor voice and keep it off speaker.

Ignoring the Line

We all see you, line-cutters.

Some folks pretend they didn’t know there was a line. Others hover around the counter and jump in as soon as the pharmacist makes eye contact.

It’s not a bakery. You don’t get to just walk up and start asking questions while other people are clearly in front of you.

Stand back, wait your turn, and don’t pretend you’re “just asking one thing.”

Everyone’s just asking one thing.

Oversharing Personal Medical Details Loudly

A pharmacy is not the place to yell about your bowel troubles or fungal infections.

Yes, you might need to discuss something personal. That’s fine. But that’s what the consultation window or a quiet, discreet tone is for.

Shouting private health information in a public space can make others uncomfortable and put the staff in an awkward position, too.

Think before you speak, and use your indoor voice.

Letting Kids Run Wild

A pharmacy isn’t a playground, but some parents act like it is.

We’ve all seen it: Kids darting between aisles, spinning on the blood pressure machine, or pressing all the buttons on the check-in screen.

It’s stressful enough being sick. Add a toddler meltdown into the mix, and it’s a headache for everyone.

If you bring your kids, great. Just keep them close and keep things calm.

Refusing to Step Aside After Being Helped

You’ve got your meds. You’ve paid. You’re done.

But instead of stepping away, some people hang around the counter like it’s happy hour, asking extra questions or triple-checking the bag for no reason.

Meanwhile, the line grows.

The counter isn’t a consultation couch. If you have more questions, ask. But move aside so the next person can be helped, too.

Leaving Trash on the Counter

You’d be surprised how many people leave behind used tissues, coffee cups, or prescription printouts on pharmacy counters like it’s someone else’s job to clean up.

The pharmacy isn’t a fast-food restaurant with a cleanup crew.

Throw away your trash. Don’t make the person who just helped you pick up after you, too.

Getting Too Close to Other Customers

Privacy matters. Especially at the pharmacy.

Yet some people crowd up behind other customers like they’re trying to see what’s in their bag. Others lean in to eavesdrop on a person’s exchange with the pharmacist.

It’s rude. And sometimes, it’s even a violation of health privacy laws.

Give space. Respect the invisible “bubble.” Everyone deserves a little dignity while picking up their meds.

Complaining Loudly About Wait Times

Nobody loves a long wait. But some people take it as a cue to perform a dramatic monologue of sighs, groans, and passive-aggressive comments.

You know the type. “I guess they forgot about me.” “How long does it take to count pills?” “Unbelievable!”

These rants don’t help. They just make a tense space even tenser.

If you have a real concern, ask politely. But complaining just to vent? That’s a bad look.

Flipping Out Over Generic Meds

Some customers act personally insulted when they get a generic version of a name-brand drug.

But here’s the thing—generics are made to work the same. They’re FDA-approved. They’re just cheaper than the brand-name variety.

The pharmacist isn’t trying to shortchange you by giving you a generic brand; they’re following the prescription and doing their job.

If you really need the brand name, ask calmly. Don’t treat it like a betrayal.

Asking Medical Advice They Can’t Legally Give

Pharmacy techs are knowledgeable, but they’re not doctors.

Some customers unload every symptom and expect a full diagnosis on the spot. Others push for off-the-record suggestions or ask, “What would you take?”

It’s unfair to put them in that position. They can’t guess what’s wrong with you or recommend treatments beyond their scope.

If you need real advice, make an appointment. The counter isn’t a clinic.

Ignoring the Refill Process

Prescriptions don’t magically refill themselves.

Some customers show up with an empty bottle, demanding a refill without calling ahead or checking if it’s even authorized.

That puts pressure on the staff and slows down the line, especially when it turns out the doctor hasn’t approved the next round yet.

Take a few minutes to request refills in advance. Everyone, including you, benefits.

Interrupting While They’re Clearly Busy

There’s a right way to get a pharmacist’s attention… and it’s not shouting across the counter while they’re helping someone else.

Some customers interrupt mid-sentence or wave their hand like they’re hailing a cab. It’s rude and disrupts everyone’s flow.

Wait your turn. A small delay is better than a big disrespect.

Leaving Without Checking the Bag

Believe it or not, people sometimes storm off with the wrong medication, the wrong dosage, or missing instructions, all because they were too impatient to pause and double-check.

Then they come back angry.

Take five seconds to look in the bag. Confirm your name, the medication, and the label. It saves time, stress, and potential safety issues.

Acting Suspicious About Routine Questions

“Why do you need my birthdate?” “What do you mean you need my ID?” “This feels like a scam.”

Some customers treat basic verification steps like a personal attack or privacy breach.

But pharmacists ask these things for safety. They’re making sure the meds go to the right person. They’re following legal protocol.

Being snippy about it doesn’t protect your privacy. It just makes the interaction uncomfortable.

Complaining About Prices to the Wrong Person

No one likes high drug prices, but the pharmacy staff didn’t set them.

Still, customers take out their frustration on the counter team, ranting about “big pharma,” insurance premiums, and sticker shock like they’re speaking to the CEO of the pharmaceutical company.

It’s fine to be frustrated. It’s not fine to blame the messenger.

If price is an issue, ask calmly if there’s a cheaper alternative.

But save the speech for your insurer or your representative, not the person just trying to ring you up.

Using the Counter as a Therapy Session

A kind pharmacist will always listen. But they’re not your therapist.

Some folks get into deeply personal stories about their relationships, life stress, or why they really need that Xanax refill today.