So as many of you may have read, my little area of the world has had some major devastation from tornadic activity a couple of weeks ago. As you have probably seen, small towns and many houses were decimated. This post has nothing to do with the damage and such. This post is much more about people's attitudes since the tornados.
On any given day, no matter where you live, you are apt to run into people who are either going to be nice or they are not. I am not immune to this; I have many a day that I didn't want to be nice to anyone. This is why I got out of the hospitality industry. See, I was a people pleaser and people pleasers need to be in the service industry. If you are not a people pleaser, you SHOULD NOT be in the service industry. After spending seven years in the hotel and restaurant industry, I just couldn't do it anymore. Being in charge of employees and also having to deal with customers just began to wear on me. When your employee complains about not getting a good tip or that the old lady in 415 just cussed them out because she was going to have to wait for a towel, you have to learn to handle not only the employee but also the customer. Here is a little tip for some of you out there; the customer is NOT always right. Let me just say that again. THE CUSTOMER IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT. Unfortunately, if you want a good tip, review, smile, stiff nod of the head, whatever you need to brighten your day, you have to make the customer believe that they are right. After seven years of yes ma'am, no ma'am, yes sir, no sir I had had enough.
Since leaving the industry, I have always strived to leave a great tip for good service, speak nicely to cashiers, smile at people in general who work any in service industry. This all leads up to what happened Saturday.
Tam called me and asked if I would come watch Gia for a couple of hours so Tam could get some house work done. Heading out the door, I called Tam and asked what she wanted from Waffle House. I got her order and then called Waffle House and placed the order. I was there within the 15 minutes of placing the order. I walked into the restaurant and headed directly to the cash register, where a woman was standing doing some paperwork. I waited. No recognition from the lady. I waited some more.
Woman #1: You here for the pick up?
Me: Yes
Woman #1 hollered someone's name and went back to her paperwork.
Woman #1: Crap! (this was not whispered under her breath)
I continued to wait.
Woman #1: I hate my life. (turning her head in the direciton of her coworkers) I need a ticket!
Woman #2: Right here.
I gave my debit card to Woman #1 and reviewed my order.
Me: I also ordered some grits please.
Woman #2: Coming right up.
Me: Can I also get some butter and jelly?
Woman #2: (sighs) What kind?
Me: Strawberry & grape please.
I sign my debit card slip and did not include a tip.
Woman #1: Wow, Woman #2, you must suck as a waitress.
Woman #2: Yeah, I guess so.
Woman #1: You never get a tip.
Now I ask you, in this transaction, did Woman #2 deserve a tip? My order was incorrect, I had to ask for basic items, Woman #1 was just out and out rude and Woman #2 seems put out to even complete the order. I was fuming!
Later that evening I realized that I had been experiencing this kind of unpleasantness since the tornados. It is like the tornados not only destroyed homes and business but also destroyed anyones desire to have an ounce of happiness. I am completly baffeled by it all. Perhaps I should have ran into one of the tornados and wished myself away to the land of Oz. Trust me, I would feel better dealing with a green witch, whose sister I just killed.
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