When someone has nothing to do....

A couple of days ago I stopped by a local bakery to pick up some bagels. There was only one other customer, an irate woman who was haranguing the clerk. It seemed the woman wasn't happy with the service she had received. "You're not answering my question! I asked you a question!!" The young lady was flustered and said, "Well, maybe you could use a different tone." The woman was obviously unhinged and irrational and I knew she wouldn't stop unless I stopped her. Without preamble, I asked, "May I get some bagels?" At that, Irate Woman turned on her heel and was out the door, where she seated herself at one of the tables outside.

"I knew she wouldn't shut up unless I said something," I told the young woman, who seemed to be almost on the verge of tears. I asked her what the woman's complaint had been. Apparently, there had been a rush of customers and she hadn't gotten the attentive service she felt she deserved. Here was something I was familiar with. "I am sure that woman has never had a job in her life," I told the clerk. She agreed. "I thought so too." I looked at the woman seated outside. Why had she been in such a hurry? She obviously had nothing else to do but sit and read a cheesy bestseller.
I had the pleasure of dealing with women (and it was mostly women) like these when I worked at a health club a few years ago. If you have never had a job, you don't know what it means to have to tend to someone else's needs and expect the same individualized service you get from your pedicurist.

One woman accused me of being RUDE to her and went to the manager. When she'd asked about a class, I'd pointed out the schedule and suggested she look at it. Apparently, I was to go over it with her line by line. When the Manager came down to see me, I told her that I had not been rude. However, I had possibly alienated someone who could potentially be a new member and may have ten friends who could be members. I didn't say so aloud, but I was certain I had done my co-workers a huge favour by alienating this woman and frankly, doubted she had ANY friends at all, let alone ten. But I kept silent, except to say that I was sorry she thought I had been rude, but I was not going to admit to something I hadn't done.

Not for what I was paid which was not enough to bear it all with the passive, cheery smile we were constantly told would attract new customers. Being accused of rudeness seemed to be de rigeur. It had happened to everyone I worked with, most of whom I had never seen exhibit anything remotely resembling rudeness. The reasons for the complaints were no more substantial: I didn't get them a towel; I told her she had to sign up to use a machine; I told him the class was full; I asked her to wait while I served someone else.

Too much spare time and too much spare money- a bad combination.

I gave the clerk some advice on how to deal with the Woman With Nothing to Do. Say, "If you feel you weren't given optimal service, I am sorry, but we do the best we can." Just leave it at that. Don't engage, don't argue. I struck up one for the workers of the world against the Idle Rich.