I hurt my shoulder a couple weeks ago and I am now performing the duties of “Exit Door Greeter” (I work at Wal-Mart). Despite the job title, I have yet to greet a single door (nor even a married one ;)).
This provides me with an endless display of humanity, which would be discouraging if I had an unreasonably high opinion of myself (I think my high opinion of myself is rather reasonable – but enough about me :D). Each day brings a few interesting and/or amusing moments, and I thought I’d share a few examples.
How you phrase an expression makes a world of difference.
While I was subbing for the greeter in the garden center, I decided to say “Are you having a good day?” instead of “Have a nice day!” The latter phrase is usually met with indifference, punctuated by the occasioinal hostile response of someone who is definitely NOT having a nice day. Asking someone if they’re having a good day changes the response considerably. At the very least, AYHAGD will bring a smile to the customer’s face, and some folks act as though they were just waiting to be asked. Even if they’re not having a good day they don’t mind being asked if they are, as opposed to being told to have one anyway.
Children say the damndedest things.
A family had just checked out and was approaching my door, each pushing a basket of goods. There was a father and a mother, a three-year-old boy in one basket and a one-year-old boy in the other. The mother was carrying an infant. As they were leaving the store, the 3-year-old leans over my way, looks me in the eye and asks: “Can I have a sister?”
I presume that this means the infant was also a boy.
People don’t realize that what they say can be interpreted any way other than the way they meant it.
Two very attractive young ladies wearing low-cut tops and with, er, visibly *abundant *assets approached me, held out their reciepts and asked “Do you want to check us out?” It took me a couple seconds to quell the impulse to tell them I’d been checking them out since they came into view. Finally, I said: “You already have your reciepts. You can go if you like.” They went. Oh, well. It’s a considerable strain to appear not to be staring when confronted with something you really want to stare at.
Have any of you had a similarly illuminating experience at (or away from) work? Please share.
–SSgtBaloo