The Store

Some of my friends have expressed concern that I'm writing about my job, as a number of people have been fired for this kind of thing before. (Check out Dooce for a good example of a capable person getting fired for a blog.) I'm not concerned about this problem for a few reasons. First of all, I'm not writing anything negative about the company (whose name I have not mentioned). I'm also not complaining about a problem with management. And I'm certainly not making fun of my co-workers. I mean, I gave my bosses the link, and I know they read it (as was evidenced by one's greeting of, "So, yesterday was rough, huh?" when I walked in today.) I'm already more than honest with both about my daily interactions with the public, so I really have nothing to hide. They know that sometimes I'm a bit cranky, especially before my morning tea, but they also know that sometimes anything I do will be the wrong thing, because some people are just. not. nice.

Take this interaction:
C. and I are standing at the registers, ringing people up. My transaction is complete, and I look over at C. and notice her new customer has a textbook in her hand. "I want to return this," she says. As C looks down at it, I kind of jump the gun and say, "I think that's a textbook" in my "Crap this woman stood in line and we can't help her" tone of voice. Before C can say anything, the woman grabs the book and says, "Um, you could have TOLD ME THAT BEFORE" and STORMS off. Before what? Before I saw the back of the book with the textbook sticker five freaking seconds ago? Before she stood in line with the book hidden in her bag? Before she walked in the store and thought she could return a textbook on a floor other than THE TEXTBOOK FLOOR which occupies an entire floor of the store and was where she had to have bought it?
I look at C. and then at Brian, who both shake their heads in amazement. "You did nothing wrong there. Nothing." says C. Brian just smiles and says, "You are getting ALL the good people!"

Yes, yes I am.
And that's why I need this blog. Otherwise, I might self-destruct.
Or just stew in my own bitterness, which I'm really trying to avoid.