# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/41 "2010-05-24T15:26:19Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > One of my friends/coworkers who just quit her highly paid job with our extremely prestigeous consulting firm was saying she would probably rather be a Starbucks barista. Getting paid a lot of money is nice, but it might also be nice not to have to spend my days with a bunch of arrogant, pretentious, pompous asses. But baristas still have to deal with arrogant, pretentious, pompous asses called customers. 😃 Or maybe it’s just my area. I stood behind a woman who rattled off the longest order for a single cup of coffee that I’ve ever heard - something like a half-caf, no-whip, non-fat soy, white chocolate mocha grande frappuccino (not that exact order but you get the idea on number of alterations and level of fussiness) - and the barista said in an obviously joking and friendly manner something like, “Gosh, I hope I can remember all of that!” The customer snapped back, “You’d **better**!” and I think everyone in the place recoiled from her. Seriously, the joking possibility that someone might need a clarification/memory jog about your stupidly complex coffee preferences is that abhorrent? ---
**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 24, 2010, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/42 "2010-05-24T15:28:39Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Again, I have heard that word used repeatedly in the past, and “accent” has damn little to do with it. You’re thinking of coon, and looking a little bit silly. ---
**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 24, 2010, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/43 "2010-05-24T15:29:39Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > prestigeous consulting firm no such thing 😛 ---
**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 24, 2010, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/44 "2010-05-24T15:33:22Z")
> [@Angry Lurker](#): > > You’re thinking of coon, and looking a little bit silly. No, I’m thinking of “coont”, which is a contraction of two other offensive terms. I’ve heard it used that way in Seattle, Portland, Hollywood and Chicago. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/45 "2010-05-24T15:42:28Z")
> [@Angry Lurker](#): > > Thing is, **kambuckta** , the naked truth is that he wouldn’t be insulting them if he wasn’t so insecure himself. Methinkings OP is not CEO type, more a middle management goon. I think that you have placed him much higher on the management scale than he can perform. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/46 "2010-05-24T15:42:46Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > But baristas still have to deal with arrogant, pretentious, pompous asses called customers. 😃 Or maybe it’s just my area. I stood behind a woman who rattled off the longest order for a single cup of coffee that I’ve ever heard - something like a half-caf, no-whip, non-fat soy, white chocolate mocha grande frappuccino (not that exact order but you get the idea on number of alterations and level of fussiness) - and the barista said in an obviously joking and friendly manner something like, “Gosh, I hope I can remember all of that!” The customer snapped back, “You’d **better**!” and I think everyone in the place recoiled from her. Seriously, the joking possibility that someone might need a clarification/memory jog about your stupidly complex coffee preferences is that abhorrent? My interest isn’t getting rid of the arrogance - my coworkers aren’t arrogant. Mine is the interest in doing a structured job that you leave behind every day…instead of “go solve this problem that you don’t know anything about and have no authority over - you have three weeks.” The thing I loved about retail is that each day was independent. You left. That was it. It didn’t follow you home. You didn’t wake up in a cold sweat over it. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/47 "2010-05-24T15:45:52Z")
Hmmm, a non-Southern racist slur. Consider me educated. Also, since we hate in others what we hate in ourselves, I’ll bet **Stan** has been stuck in a dead-end job, feeling unfulfilled and bitter because he’s SOOOO much better than everybody else, for years. Personally, I don’t care if he rants and raves, as long as he gets all the leaves off the driveway. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/48 "2010-05-24T15:48:56Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > No, I’m thinking of “coont”, which is a contraction of two other offensive terms. I’ve heard it used that way in Seattle, Portland, Hollywood and Chicago. Is there a reason we’re dancing around this? It’s a contraction of ‘‘coon’’ and ‘‘cunt.’’ [QUOTE=Dangerosa] The thing I loved about retail is that each day was independent. You left. That was it. It didn’t follow you home. You didn’t wake up in a cold sweat over it. [/QUOTE] There is a LOT to be said for this. ---
**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 24, 2010, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/49 "2010-05-24T15:54:27Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > No, I’m thinking of “coont”, which is a contraction of two other offensive terms. I’ve heard it used that way in Seattle, Portland, Hollywood and Chicago. Clearly pretty obscure cause I can’t find it even on the US-dominated internet. Are you sure that’s what it means? Anyway my interpretaion is far more likely. ---
**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 24, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/50 "2010-05-24T15:56:53Z")
> [@BubbaDog](#): > > I think that you have placed him much higher on the management scale than he can perform. Nah, he’s been promoted at least once or twice, and it’s gone to his head. You can also tell that he’s had to work pretty damn hard to get the extra title and couple of grand a year, by the stress and feeling of entitlement in his post. 30 years down the line, he has a certificate of appreciation and a 250 quid watch to look forward to 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/51 "2010-05-24T16:00:59Z")
> [@Angry Lurker](#): > > Clearly pretty obscure cause I can’t find it even on the US-dominated internet. Are you sure that’s what it means? Urban Dictionary has it. ---
**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 24, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/52 "2010-05-24T16:03:53Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > Urban Dictionary has it. I didn’t check the net, but you are right-two of four definitions of the word. What I relied on the the reaction of a friend of mine that read it and angrily pointed it out to me. Two guesses as to why she was angry. ---
**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 24, 2010, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/53 "2010-05-24T16:05:00Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > Urban Dictionary has it. That has more thumbs downs than thumbs up. My definition is therefore more likely… ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/54 "2010-05-24T16:05:28Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > Is there a reason we’re dancing around this? It’s a contraction of ‘‘coon’’ and ‘‘cunt.’’ Wow. How vile. ---
**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 24, 2010, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/55 "2010-05-24T16:06:26Z")
Actually we can always wait to see what tardface has to say for himself. Is he a racist snob, a racist homophobic snob, a homophobic snob, or just a snob? ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/56 "2010-05-24T16:10:06Z")
> [@Angry Lurker](#): > > That has more thumbs downs than thumbs up. My definition is therefore more likely… This might be true, and gives him an out, should he choose to use it. As for his true intent, who knows? ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/57 "2010-05-24T16:11:55Z")
Bah! Nevermind. ---
**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 24, 2010, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/58 "2010-05-24T16:12:44Z")
I choose to give people the benefit of the doubt, even if they’re tards. That’s why I haven’t accused him of blatant trolling. Of course it’s up to you if you chose the same route, I may be being a bit too credulous 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/59 "2010-05-24T16:16:04Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > But baristas still have to deal with arrogant, pretentious, pompous asses called customers. 😃 Or maybe it’s just my area. I stood behind a woman who rattled off the longest order for a single cup of coffee that I’ve ever heard - something like a half-caf, no-whip, non-fat soy, white chocolate mocha grande frappuccino (not that exact order but you get the idea on number of alterations and level of fussiness) - and the barista said in an obviously joking and friendly manner something like, “Gosh, I hope I can remember all of that!” The customer snapped back, “You’d **better**!” and I think everyone in the place recoiled from her. Seriously, the joking possibility that someone might need a clarification/memory jog about your stupidly complex coffee preferences is that abhorrent? 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. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2010, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546/60 "2010-05-24T16:20:29Z")
> [@Stan\_Shmenge](#): > > I am sorry that you overheard a PRIVATE CONVERSATION between my girlfriend, where I referred, correctly, after you guys totally fucked up her transaction, to people that work in shitty positions in retail as LOSERS! So let me get this chain of events straight: 1. B&N cashier screws up your girlfriend’s purchase. 2. You say people who work in retail are losers and you’re loud enough for another clerk to hear it. 3. She doesn’t appreciate your eloquence, candor, and sharp observational humor. 4. You Pit her. Not for the first time, but you’re the asshole in this situation. [Those words could be copied and pasted into most of your Pit threads.] Retail sucks in my opinion, but it’s mostly because you know that sooner or later you’re going to deal with a **Stan Shmenge**. If you don’t want to deal with those lower class retail types, buy your books online - or at least have your manservant do it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-been-working-here-for-fifteen-years-i-have-benefits/540546.md?page=4)