Customer Service

It's a Monday, as always several errands had to be taken care of. I had two encounters today that struck nerves. I like to try to remain calm so that I can always respond in the correct way. However that is not always the case. I first traveled home from work in traffic (that's a daily drag) and stopped of at good ole' Walmart just to grab a few things we needed. I always have stories about Walmart and the people there, but I don't really think that's any news to anyone who might venture into there. I've seen people post things from sites that document the craziness there. Today I darted for the first line that was open happy with my choice so that I could zoom out and get home. The lady started checking me out, when I realized I my debit card was not in my wallet!! Frightening!! She asked if I wanted her to wait so I could go get it, of course thankfully I had some cash on me so I told her to go ahead and I'd pay with cash.
I'll tell you I like to laugh at myself, and others when something silly happens, I make jokes and or just laugh at the funny stuff we do in our everyday madness. I've realized that folks don't think things are funny as I do. Some seem to have a permanent grumpy attitude, others don't seem to understand it's okay to laugh. Being embarrassed is one thing, but really we should laugh about it, because with out laughter I feel we are no good. It's good for the heart, the face, the mind and everyone else around you. Someone could be having a crummy day and your laughter could either make them laugh too or laugh at the fact your laughing. Which hey is fine with me laugh at me if you'd like cause I laugh at me too!
So this lady started lecturing me about leaving my valuables somewhere. Inside I really wanted to say "your not my mom, but thanks" I however didn't I have a slight head ache so I left her finish her bit and said "oh yeah I"m not stupid enough to leave it out in the open somewhere or leave my car unlocked" she kept rambling on, I can't tell you what she said because I didn't care. I don't like people who lecture about something when you don't know someone or the full details of the event. It's rude, it's judging. We aren't suppose to judge right? I thought we weren't I try really hard not too, sometimes it slips. And I sure don't lecture a stranger that way either. I'd probable have said 'oh no you didn't leave it in the open did you".....I realize leaving my card in the car isn't the best thing in the world, however it was an accident from earlier in the day. And trying to get home I forgot to grab it. I always tuck it away in a little cubby whole. I know she doesn't know that or why I'd had it out. But I felt a bit attacked from the way she lectured me.
Customer Service at our Walmart is not great...okay not even good. Everyone seems to be grumpy, no smiles. Ever! Kicker is there's a sign on the register 's that's new that has a picture of the manager and a number that says he wants to ensure great customer service and to call him directly if you receive other. Ha, I don't think these employees are happy at all!!
Second encounter of the day, I ordered lots of books from a book store. I've received all but one. So I called to make sure nothing had happened and I get a lady on the phone....okay I'm really not sure if it was lady or not. The voice was confusing, and on top of that they had a accent. I know lots of folks do, and I have nothing against them. Except, every time I call customer service anywhere, I think except my credit card place. They can hardly speak, or it's so heavy I can't understand them. It's very frustrating, if I ask what was said they get irritated with me. And I really am sorry I have to ask but darn it I really have no idea what was just said to me!!
As I left Walmart, I noticed a bunch of cars off to the side of the road. I slowed down and passed them, it was two cop cars and several vehicles. And a good handful of people standing the grass. But what caught my attention was the girl standing there and an older man, I'm assuming her father. Yelling at her, I couldn't hear what he was saying. But the hand gestures and head bobbles where enough to know he wasn't happy. The cars where in a very shocking position, the back car was embedded into the first cars rear end. And when I say that I mean like it looked like someone made a snazzy little place for this front end to fit in a perfect molded place for it. I've never seen anything like that, I've seen two smashed together, but not this. Back to the girl, all I could think was please sir take a deep breath!!! I know your mad and all sorts of angry, but that girl looked scared outta her mind. And rightfully so! But when everyone is alive and it's clearly not life threatening, think for a second when you where a kid and things you did? Have a split second of heartfelt conversation with the poor kid! We didn't have cell phones when I was a kid so we didn't get in wrecks because of that kinda stuff, and I don't know if that was the problem. So I can understand a good yelling for that, but completely alienating them is only going to make matters worse, I was a kid once I remember being yelled at, I ignored it, I cried and just got mad. And before long I yelled back because I never felt like I was heard, whether you took what I said or not, I just wanted to be heard! So anyways I said a little prayer for them and that they might all take a deep breath before continuing to speak.

So welcome Monday today! It wasn't horrible at all just not wonderful and I'm glad I'm home!