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Who flipped over those rocks?!

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  • #1

    Who flipped over those rocks?!

    Normally our customers are really quite nice, but today ... whoa.

    Customer #1 left her car keys on the counter. She must've wandered off into Big Box Bookstore for a while, because she sure couldn't go anywhere else. Eventually she returned and spoke to me.

    Now, I have tinnitus or something similar (no official diagnosis, but it certainly fits the symptoms), so in a place saturated with background noise -- like The Mothership -- I often have trouble hearing the customers (don't even get me started on the people who speak in tiny little voices ).

    So all I heard was something about gift cards. I asked how many cards she wanted. She stared at me and snarled (mildly, of course; this IS Canada after all ) "I ... WAS ... HERE ... A WHILE AGO ... AND ... BOUGHT ... SEVERAL ... GIFT CARDS. DID ... I ... LEAVE ... MY ... CAR ... KEYS ... BEHIND."
    I said yes, and handed them to her. I got another stony glare and she walked out.
    If I'd known she was going to react like that, I'd have said "Nope, sorry, no car keys here" and watched the ensuing pandemonium with amusement.

    Then there was the customer who wanted a blueberry X. I unfortunately grabbed a blueberry Y (totally different kind of pastry). She returned it, saying it was awful, and was given the correct pastry (obviously at no charge). I apologized and said "I'm sorry, that was my mistake." Customer: "Yes, and a BIG one!" At which point I had a hard time not saying, "Wow, First World problems much?"

    There were a couple of others, but I can't remember them ATM.

    I am seriously looking forward to finding a different second job.
    Last edited by Pixelated; 12-09-2017, 12:50 AM.
    Customer service: More efficient than a Dementor's kiss
    ~ Mr Hero
    Tags: None
  • #2
    UGH. What dreadful people. I sometimes wish there were a little videographer following nasty people around just to make "highlight reels" of how horrid they were when they thought nobody .. .well, nobody important (rolls eyes) was paying attention.

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    • #3
      You know, I am really hoping that pension thing comes through. I want video of your last day at Mothership.
      Life is too short to not eat popcorn.
      Save the Ales!
      Toys for Tots at Rooster's Cafe

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      • #4
        I think your hearing is causing problems, you may want to find out more about hearing aids and relieving the tinnitus. (Yes, they can do that now.)

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        • #5
          TheSHADOW: My hearing is indeed problematic in places with a lot of background noise ... and The Mothership is really bad for that -- although just tonight I had a 20-year-old who works at a different site say she also has trouble hearing the customers because of all the murmuring, chattering, beeping machinery on the counter behind her ... not to mention the music playing to give the place "ambience".

          Part of the problem is that it's a LOT of noise jammed into a very small space ... coffee grinder (I've even had customers stop talking and stare in dismay when that thing goes off), beeping timers, the hum of the warming oven (and the slamming of the oven door), the barista steaming milk (and banging the steaming pitcher on the counter to get rid of excess bubbles) and then slamming the steaming pitcher onto the doohickey in the sink to rinse it off quickly, music that is actually louder than it should be for such a small area ...

          In a place like Big Box Bookstore (for example) it would not be an issue, because it's a MUCH bigger space and the background noise is minimal (mostly just piped-in music, at a reasonable level). It is not even remotely an issue at the office.

          So for the moment I am just going to let it be. But yeah ... I figure hearing aids are going to be a definite part of my future.

          wordgirl: I'm pretty sure they'd come up with some lame defence about how their attitude wasn't their fault ...

          csquared: I can't see any reason why the pension shouldn't be approved. I am 62, and retirement age is 65, so I'm well within the range where I can apply for it. However, you know how long governments can take ... with any luck I'll get it before my 63rd birthday.
          Customer service: More efficient than a Dementor's kiss
          ~ Mr Hero

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          • #6
            Quoth csquared View Post
            I want video of your last day at Mothership.
            At this point, I think there's a 50/50 shot that it'll be on the local news
            "For a musician, the SNES sound engine is like using Crayola Crayons. Nobuo Uematsu used Crayola Crayons to paint the Sistine Chapel." - Jeremy Jahns (re: "Dancing Mad")
            "The difference between an amateur and a master is that the master has failed way more times." - JoCat
            "Thinking is difficult, therefore let the herd pronounce judgment!" ~ Carl Jung
            "There's burning bridges, and then there's the lake just to fill it with gasoline." - Wiccy, reddit
            "Retail is a cruel master, and could very well be the most educational time of many people's lives, in its own twisted way." - me
            "Love keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down...tell you she's hurtin' 'fore she keens...makes her a home." - Capt. Malcolm Reynolds, "Serenity" (2005)
            Acts of Gord – Read it, Learn it, Love it!
            "Our psychic powers only work if the customer has a mind to read." - me

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            • #7
              The wrong pastry is not a big mistake. These people need to be acquainted with reality.
              "Is it hot in here to you? It's very warm, isn't it?"--Nero, probably

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              • #8
                Quoth Pixelated View Post
                TheSHADOW: My hearing is indeed problematic in places with a lot of background noise ... and The Mothership is really bad for that -- although just tonight I had a 20-year-old who works at a different site say she also has trouble hearing the customers because of all the murmuring, chattering, beeping machinery on the counter behind her ... not to mention the music playing to give the place "ambience".

                <snip>

                So for the moment I am just going to let it be. But yeah ... I figure hearing aids are going to be a definite part of my future.
                <snip>
                Well, even people with normal hearing have trouble in the sort of environment you describe, though they tend to be less aware of it. Hearing aids will help some, but they do work best in better conditions! Modern hearing aids can reduce background noise somewhat, but there are limits, and in someplace like that restaurant, they probably won't help enough.

                Around here (Charlottesville VA), there's way too many restaurants doing "loft chic" -- bare beams and AC equipment hanging above a high, echoing ceiling. Argh...

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                • #9
                  I have started singing Weird Al's First World Problems when I was in line behind people like that.
                  "I try to be curious about everything, even things that don't interest me." -Alex Trebek

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                  • #10
                    Quoth WishfulSpirit View Post
                    I have started singing Weird Al's First World Problems when I was in line behind people like that.
                    Which is evidence of why we love you.
                    "Is it hot in here to you? It's very warm, isn't it?"--Nero, probably

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                    • #11
                      Quoth csquared View Post
                      You know, I am really hoping that pension thing comes through. I want video of your last day at Mothership.
                      It might be interesting, that's for sure ...

                      Quoth EricKei View Post
                      At this point, I think there's a 50/50 shot that it'll be on the local news
                      "Damage to [The Mothership] store is reported to be extensive ..."

                      Quoth Mental_Mouse View Post
                      Around here (Charlottesville VA), there's way too many restaurants doing "loft chic" -- bare beams and AC equipment hanging above a high, echoing ceiling. Argh...
                      We've got places like that here too. Luckily, I usually tend to go out to eat by myself ... just me and a book or three.

                      Quoth WishfulSpirit View Post
                      I have started singing Weird Al's First World Problems when I was in line behind people like that.
                      Oooh, I don't think I've heard that one. Must go check it out ...
                      Customer service: More efficient than a Dementor's kiss
                      ~ Mr Hero

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                      • #12
                        Quoth Pixelated View Post
                        It might be interesting, that's for sure ...



                        "Damage to [The Mothership] store is reported to be extensive ..."



                        We've got places like that here too. Luckily, I usually tend to go out to eat by myself ... just me and a book or three.



                        Oooh, I don't think I've heard that one. Must go check it out ...
                        First World Problem by MC Frontalot is another good choice.

                        https://youtu.be/M3w1_E1V46M

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