The Fine Differences.

[Mongo Skruddgemire]

G2: No need to apologize, it's not your fault. I still got my gas -- and now a candy bar too. Oh scratch tickets, can I get some of those too?

Sounds like my sister.

[Mr Hero]

I had something happen to me last night at work that reminded me of this topic. Twice in a row I get guests who I needed to collect a deposit from.

Guest 1: I don't understand why we need to pay a deposit. We're <Loyalty Program> members.

Guest 2: I don't have a credit card, so how much of a deposit will I need? Sure, that's no problem.

[manybellsdown]

I don't know how many times I've had to help her fix the computer, which eventually got to the point where it would fix itself when I walked over, and then got to the point where all I'd have to do is stand up from where I was sitting, and then it would work.

I used to do this at my real estate job. Some of the older agents could NEVER get things to print. I'd walk over, click the button and it would instantly print.

Printers know better than to screw with me.

[Jester]

Not to mention that if the clerk is out trying to fix something that they may not be qualified to fix, there is no one in the store to process transactions, help customers on their way (he'd certainly be one to complain if he couldn't get in and out quick), or keep people from stealing.

Moron.

[mhkohne]

G: Well we live in fucking Massachusetts so you should have a way to fix this shit. You should go the fuck out there and fix those keys. I shouldn't have to fucking come in here and wait in line (there was no line he came straight to the counter) when I have other places I need to be.

Mechanical stuff is a serious issue in cold weather. Does this doofus think you'd leave it stuck if you had a choice in the matter?

And, does this guy think you can just go modifying the pump head to try to fix it? Because you almost certainly do not have keys that will get you further than the receipt printer. And if you tried to mod that key pad in ANY way, it would probably stop working, and you'd surely bring allegations of fraud and/or safety violations down on yourself.

Remember, that key pad is where people type their pins - if your pumps are even semi modern, then that keypad has tamper proofing, to prevent pin theft via software.

Stupid customer.

[Lachrymose]

Pffftt..easy fix. Just build a little fire next to the pumps.

[Jay 2K Winger]

Are you positive about this?

Reminds me of this exchange from Django Unchained--

Django: "No, I'm not."
Schultz: "So you're not positive?"
D: "What's positive mean?"
S: "It means 'are you sure?'"
D: "Yes, I'm sure it's him."
[BANG.]
D: "Well, I'm positive he's dead."

[Jester]

Are you positive about this?

[Seshat]

Jester,

I love you.

We're very, very different people, but I'm honoured to be your friend. And your sense of humour is one of the major reasons.

[Jester]

This exchange, or one like it, has happened fairly often in my life.

ME: "This day sucks!"
SOMEONE ELSE: "Try to be positive, dude."
ME: "Okay...I am POSITIVE that this day SUCKS!"

[Seshat]

The differences between the two customers dealing with the same problem illustrates why I always try to have a positive attitude about things.
<snip>
And that is why I tend to be a happy guy when so many people around me are utterly miserable.

<punchline>
I try to keep a positive attitude about my depression.
</p>



Sorry, it really sounded in my head like the leadup to a punchline like that.

Seriously, however - I do. And it's hard, but it helps. Also, making a point of avoiding causing others to be miserable just because I am, helps ME as well as them.
No need for me to act like Oscar T Grouch just because my neurochemistry is fubar.

[Jay 2K Winger]

Speaking of dead batteries my car battery died when I was seeing The Hobbit last week, and I couldn't jump it no matter how hard me and my friend tried. We had to call Triple-A. The guy comes out, pretty much goes "SHA-BANG!" and jumps the car within minutes... this made me feel like a total failure in terms of basic car troubleshooting.

Heh. That's like any of the "fixes" I do for my poor, techbane of a Mom. She tries, and she's getting better, but most things electronic have a tendency to rebel against her.

There was the time her car radio wasn't working. She tried everything-- including checking the volume-- and finally takes it into the shop to get it fixed. First thing they did was turn up the volume, and it worked fine.

There's been all those issues with her and the remotes for our TV/DVD/Blu-Ray/Cable/DVR, but those have largely been resolved now we've consolidated them into one remote, and she's learned to use it properly.

I don't know how many times I've had to help her fix the computer, which eventually got to the point where it would fix itself when I walked over, and then got to the point where all I'd have to do is stand up from where I was sitting, and then it would work.

[Jester]

The differences between the two customers dealing with the same problem illustrates why I always try to have a positive attitude about things. I know a lot of people who deal with much the same things I deal with, but just seem to hate life. I don't have that problem. I am single, haven't had a date since the Pyramids were built, and I am still pretty much thrilled with my life. Could it be better? Sure. Could it be a whole hell of a lot worse? Absolutely. And that is why I tend to be a happy guy when so many people around me are utterly miserable.

[Merriweather]

Speaking of dead batteries my car battery died when I was seeing The Hobbit last week, and I couldn't jump it no matter how hard me and my friend tried. We had to call Triple-A. The guy comes out, pretty much goes "SHA-BANG!" and jumps the car within minutes... this made me feel like a total failure in terms of basic car troubleshooting.

Dontcha just love that kind of thing?

Long long time ago, but I had a cassette recorder wouldn't work. Back then I prided myself on not being one of these women to run to a man to fix things, but I finally gave up, and asked my Dad to have a look (he could tinker with almost anything and get it working, back when things were more mechanical than electronic). He gave it back to me a few minutes later, and said he wished everything was so easy to fix. I asked him what he did, he said he turned it on. Guess some people just have "the touch".

[AmbrosiaWriter]

If you hadn't tried this, I find that revving the engine of the feeder vehicle gives a power boost that would always start even a large truck.

Tried that. We think it was the corrosion on the positive side of my battery that was blocking the connection and we couldn't find the wire brushes that originally came with our kits to get it off. We thinks someone took them for whatever reason and never put them back. -.-