# I've been working here for fifteen years! I have benefits! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 24, 2010, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546 "2010-05-24T07:08:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/181 "2010-05-27T10:25:55Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > I haven’t worked retail in decades (and glad I got out of that). Some customers are, quite simply, the scum of the earth. They will make unreasonable demands, tie you all your time, and then expect some “special” discount" just for them. In the end, they don’t buy anything at all. They finish up, by complaining to the manager or the retional office, because they just want to make someone miserable. You know the type. There are those who will order some food, and then start screaming at the waitress, call for the manager, and then claim they ordered somethig else. Etc etc etc. > > I’m not a “people person”. I have a lot of respect for anyone who CAN deal with these “customers” without going bonkers. I couldn’t/wouldn’t do it. And OP, in the old days, I would have been the guy telling you to get out of my shop and never come back. Mistakes are made sometimes. OK, it happens. So what. You were a jerk. Get over it. Well, my three weeks at Fresh & Easy has convinced me that 99% of people are nice and decent, and there are some people that just don’t want to be happy. But I have never had any customer complain or be nasty to me out of a few thousand that I encountered there. Of course, I was competent at my job, which the worker at B&N was not. By the way, the incompetent worker there was not the one that overheard my comment and threw me out. I never complain at a place to a worker, if I get shit service, I just don’t go back. I am satisfied almost 100% with the businesses I deal with. Interestingly, that same day, as I walked into the store, I had the associate at the front desk selling the Nook (?) demo it for me. I was so impressed with her product knowledge and professionalism that I took time out to talk to the store manager to compliment her. So there you go. I am not a complainer, I am much more likely to relate a positive experience with an employee, and my comments about the incompetence of another store employee were part of a private conversation that was overheard by coontface. Yeah, I am a real asshole. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Poster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Happy\_Poster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Poster)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/182 "2010-05-27T10:27:02Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > Not racist, not homophobic (whatever that means, I like gays ok), not a snob. So here I am. And I don’t believe I have called anyone tardface in my life, so what does that make you? The proud owner of a more expressive and expanisve vocabulary. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/183 "2010-05-27T10:28:16Z")
> [@Angry Lurker](#): > > The proud owner of a more expressive and expanisve vocabulary. You know where they have lots and lots of words? Bookstores! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/184 "2010-05-27T10:29:05Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > From Sept. 8, 2009:I’d say Stan’s jealous of someone with a job and benefits. > > Seriously, you called her a loser loudly enough for her to hear, and you’re pitting her for hearing you and responding? Because you call it a “private” conversation? As I have stated upthread, she must have been just behind me. I was actually surprised when she first approached me. I was a little upset and probably could have been more discreet, but then again, why should I? My GF got shit service, so I am supposed to speak of it in hushed tones? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/185 "2010-05-27T10:33:21Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > As I have stated upthread, she must have been just behind me. I was actually surprised when she first approached me. I was a little upset and probably could have been more discreet, but then again, why should I? My GF got shit service, so I am supposed to speak of it in hushed tones? Again, no… see post 180. Complaining about a valid mistake != insulting and being rude. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/186 "2010-05-27T10:33:30Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > It seems the OP has curled his tail between his legs and left the thread. > > He may be learning. No, just busy as hell. I honestly didn’t expect this thread to explode into a bunch of half-assed opinions based on erroneous assumptions that needed this much response. But thanks for asking. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/187 "2010-05-27T10:36:31Z")
> [@Ruby\_Slippers](#): > > So, Stan, tell us how happy you are with your Manpower benefits. Especially when you won’t get paid for Memorial Day next week because you don’t have enough hours yet. I know this because I’m also a Manpower temp (permatemp to be more precise) and I know the so-called benefits are pretty negligible. But of course you’re not a loser! Nooooo… that only applies to people who hang on to a job. With your attitude, you’ll probably never be one of THEM. And thank fucking God. After thirty years, I pick up some hours from Manpower, to get me out of this computer chair, maybe rack up a few taxpaying hours so eventually I get some Social Security benefits, and get a change of scene. Again, if I was one of THEM, I would be dead by now. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/188 "2010-05-27T10:37:34Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > Good luck with Manpower. I worked as a “secretarial/WP” temp years ago; got several offers & finally accepted one. In times like these, you take the work you can get. > > I agree that Stan is upset that her benefits are probably better than his. > > Also note: Stan’s \*girlfriend \*was making the purchase at the bookstore. Stan was just hanging out & criticizing. Um, no, it was on my card. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/189 "2010-05-27T10:43:27Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > It’s not a bookstore, but I’ll bet he ends up on [Acts of Gord](http://www.actsofgord.com/) a LOT. > > Hey **Stan** , don’t you have any cops to bitch about? Only the ones in Burbank, who are under FBI investigation for being racists and pricks in general, where the police chief resigned in disgrace a few months ago, and one of the few honest officers killed himself out of shame, leaving a suicide note stating that “This is absolutely job related”. But you just keep believing that the policeman is your friend… [http://lmgtfy.com/?q=burbank+ca+police+fbi](http://lmgtfy.com/?q=burbank+ca+police+fbi) ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/190 "2010-05-27T10:50:12Z")
> [@Angry Lurker](#): > > Well, from the digging others have done, I stand corrected. I genuinely thought OP had acheived something in the world of work. As it appears, he hasn’t even managed to equal the achivements of those who he despises. > > I shall ahve to to give this some thought. Yes, we have had some slow periods here, and things were looking fairly bleak for a while. This is one of the reasons that I did some temp work, but as of now, if the agency called, I would have to turn them down. Being a freelancer is a feast or famine sort of thing, and in the recent economy it has been more famine than feast, but we are starting to get work from a major talent agency, and things are looking much better. We are just completing a major project for LA Laker Ron Artest and his charity foundation, and his agent has other work for us lined up, so things are looking better. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/191 "2010-05-27T10:51:38Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > It’s true that employees should not be commenting on private conversations between customers. > > It’s also true that customers who deliberately make rude comments about an employee to one another so that the employee will hear them, rather than politely but firmly expressing their customer dissatisfaction to the employee directly, are total ass-leaks. I was unaware that she was within earshot. My GF is somewhat hard of hearing, and I do speak clearly to her. If I was aware that the employee in question would overhear, I would never have made the comment. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/192 "2010-05-27T10:53:09Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > This thread has turned positively surreal. > > I’m trying to imagine the mindset of someone who works as a temp worker slagging off someone who has a full time job with benefits and a retirement package. > > Not that there’s anything wrong with either - you need to do what you need to do, but it’s a bit like a garbage man slagging off Justin Timberlake 'cus Timberlake’s job isn’t glamourous enough. Uh, ok. Has it ever occured to you that someone might take a temp job because their regular self employment was in a slow time? I guess not. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/193 "2010-05-27T10:58:02Z")
> [@Tristan](#): > > It’s **Stan Schmenge**. He’s a retarded anal fissure on the board. He leaks onto his keyboard on occasion, and thinks it’s worth posting. > > He is a troll of the highest order. > > You know that 4Chan thing, where they will post a big diatribe that someone must have done originally talking about how he’s gonna leave the board 'cause it’s all losers and he is so much better than them, and he’s gonna go bang some girls and drive his camaro 'cause he’s so much better than everyone? > > That’s **Stan**. He’s smarter than cops, and smarter than you, he’s a better driver drunk than you are sober, and cops and authority figures are scared of him because they know he won’t put up with their shit. He’s hard core like that. > > The shit I took this morning has more class, brains, and wit. > > And he won’t be back, because he is a coward of the first order, and this didn’t go the way he thought it would. Oooh, IIIM BAAAAK! And I had no idea how this would go, and am quite surprised it is into page four at this point. And yeah, I am smarter than YOU at least. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/194 "2010-05-27T11:01:12Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Where do you get that? He talks about working in a grocery store that’s expanding in California and other Western U.S. states. So considering that, [and the lovely sentiments he expressed here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12196956&highlight=california#post12196956), there’s no reason to think he’s turned Scottish all of a sudden. If you don’t understand that the black ganstas have pretty much ruined Hyde Park, not that it was ever very much, you probably have never been there. Are black people bad? Are black people inferior? Nope, but a fair number of them are still stuck with a lot of (understandable) psychological problems that growing up in an oppressive culture has saddled them with. It doesn’t excuse the type of behavior I detailed in the thread you linked. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Poster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Happy\_Poster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Poster)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/195 "2010-05-27T11:09:31Z")
**Stan** , although I still consider you acted like a bit of a douche in the OP you’ve given a much better account of yourself so far than I was expecting. I sense a kindred spirit with a similar outlooks on life… Take care of yourself pal 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/196 "2010-05-27T11:23:33Z")
> [@Angry Lurker](#): > > **Stan** , although I still consider you acted like a bit of a douche in the OP you’ve given a much better account of yourself so far than I was expecting. I sense a kindred spirit with a similar outlooks on life… > > Take care of yourself pal 🙂 I really like the dope, I really do, but as open minded as they pretend to be, this is a cloistered little society here, very PC, and quite frankly for a place that claims to be fighting ignorance, moribund. I have been called a troll and worse, but everything I say here is heartfelt, and while I may make a few OP’s that are controversial, it is not to troll, but to shake things up and get people talking. This is the greatest board I have ever found, and if some people want to call a jerk, that is fine with me. I am amazed, for instance that my post about how people can eat themselves into a power chair went for pages and pages and pages. I admit that I didn’t have the time to read it all! When I get the chance, I will, and maybe make some replies there. From what I have read it turned into a pretty interesting thread. Peace. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/197 "2010-05-27T11:26:07Z")
> [@Meyer6](#): > > he was moved to tears by anonymous message board posters pointing out obvious holes in his story. Except that every word was true, and backed up by links to the obit of the girl in question. For a board that is supposedly liberal, there sure are a lot of badge kissers in here. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/198 "2010-05-27T11:29:48Z")
I see you’ve changed and embellished your story, bragged about not being able to hold a job, and came out looking like an even bigger jerk. The Shmenge Trifecta! ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/199 "2010-05-27T11:33:57Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > If you don’t understand that the black ganstas have pretty much ruined Hyde Park, not that it was ever very much, you probably have never been there. I don’t think I have been there. (Just for the record, when did you move out?) I also know better than make pronouncements like “I think the slide began when they built the McDonald’s on 53rd street. This brought in the blacks, and they have pretty much taken over 53rd street…” Then again I try to choose my words carefully because I don’t want to give people the impression I’m a gigantic asshole. I don’t know if you actually want people to think you’re an arrogant jerk, but you obviously don’t mind if they do. Vive la difference I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/200 "2010-05-27T11:35:15Z")
> [@Angry Lurker](#): > > I look at that thread and he is one of the few people in it acting honourably. A disgraceful pile on and most of the participants in it should be ashamed of themselves. All I did was tell the exact truth, as it happened. My comeuppance has come, however. Burbank PD is in disgrace right now, FBI is investigating them, indictments are probably forthcoming, people are charging that the corruption and racism came from the top down, etc. Ask any non-white in Burbank what they think of the Burbank PD. My Honduran roomate is always being pulled over, and when they recognize him they STFU and are all “sorry about your loss”. Others are not so lucky. They pulled me over a few months back and accused me of running a “yellow light” and used it as an excuse to roust me. My GF admitted “I thought you were making this stuff up, but now I see it’s true”. And now the whole world does too. Even the FBI. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546.md?page=11)