When Work Stress Turned Me into a Jokester

I work in the retail world where every day feels like a battle. Lately, I've been feeling so burnt out and frustrated that I started slipping up on my professional behavior. Last week, after we ran out of an item during a busy shift, I jokingly told one customer 'We're all about the thrill of the hunt here!' Instead of laughing it off, they gave me this strange look and walked away mumbling something about how they were going to complain to management. It felt so silly and juvenile, but also kind of satisfying in that moment because sometimes you just want to let loose some steam. But now I'm left wondering: Was it really worth the risk? The store manager pulled me aside later for a talk. She was understanding about work stress but emphasized how important our customer service is. I feel torn, part of me wants to laugh and say, 'Yep, retail life can be pretty stressful!' while another part worries that this little slip-up might affect my job security or future opportunities here. It's like trying to balance a juggling act where all the balls are made out of broken glass. Why did I do it? Am I just looking for any excuse to break under pressure?