Truth there. It's obvious when it's a matter of exigent circumstances that are out of the employee's hands; getting mad will not only do nothing to solve the problem, but it's unwarranted at the same time.
In those cases, I tend to blame the universe and my luck-- not the employees. As in... I still get mad, but I'm conscious of being accurate in where I direct it.
Meh. I agree that (obviously) not all of the big box store employees are idiots. However-- neither are all the members of the public.
I know a 'tard when I see one. Just like I know someone is being lazy, intentionally obstinant-- whatever.
If, with no experience at all, I can figure out the problem and tell you how to fix it faster than an employee can work it out... and it's *their job* to know these things... Either I'm a freakin' genius, or they're incompetent.
Seems fair enough to me.
For the record, I've never cursed anyone out in that setting. Not because they didn't deserve it or I felt that I wasn't entitled-- but because, as we've illustrated, it rarely solves anything. And I do my level best to avoid conflict in this day in age, where God knows what the results may be...
You are wise. Obi Wan!