Wednesday, May 9, 2012
The Newest Guy
The new guy showed up at 11:30. He came to the register halfway through my lunch. Another coworker of mine was already training him, but my boss wanted me to train him. I mostly stood around, troubleshooting. He did pretty good. It felt kind of weird being up at the register, but doing almost nothing. The good news is, the day passed by pretty quickly.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Big Red Freak Out!
All of a sudden I heard a yell from somewhere near the photo department. At first I thought it was the H.P.S having a freak out about something, until the second scream comes. The screamer is most definitely a feminine-sounding man. His yelling/screaming is so intense, but through it I can understand that he is upset because the Big Red pop was kind of hidden by the Nehi, Tahitian Treat, and R.C. He is screaming,
"I couldn't find the fucking Big Red! That is the best kind of pop there is and you hid it! I couldn't find it and it's all your fault! You should be fired! I couldn't find it and you should be fired!"
While screaming this is he limping around and pushing his old-person shopping cart. He got two two-liters of Big Red. He gets to my register (but at this point I'm supposed to be in the Hallmark aisle. I was just answering an IC3). And he starts the rant all over. I was getting super-pissed, because I don't care how disabled or ill you are, no one yells at me like that. So in the middle of his sentence, I throw up my hand and walk away. I apologize to the girl at the front and tell her I can't handle it.
After he left, my manager was making fun of me for being a little freaked out.
I headed over to the pharmacy to let them know that I do not like this guy now either. Before I did, because he bought lollipops for Friday and Saturday night only (he couldn't eat them any other time) and he didn't smoke so he would have milk money. He apparently has had a couple of freak-outs at pharmacy (this week) and I bonded with two of the pharmacists (and a tech) over our mutual dislike and discomfort regarding this gentleman. Code Big Red!
"I couldn't find the fucking Big Red! That is the best kind of pop there is and you hid it! I couldn't find it and it's all your fault! You should be fired! I couldn't find it and you should be fired!"
While screaming this is he limping around and pushing his old-person shopping cart. He got two two-liters of Big Red. He gets to my register (but at this point I'm supposed to be in the Hallmark aisle. I was just answering an IC3). And he starts the rant all over. I was getting super-pissed, because I don't care how disabled or ill you are, no one yells at me like that. So in the middle of his sentence, I throw up my hand and walk away. I apologize to the girl at the front and tell her I can't handle it.
After he left, my manager was making fun of me for being a little freaked out.
I headed over to the pharmacy to let them know that I do not like this guy now either. Before I did, because he bought lollipops for Friday and Saturday night only (he couldn't eat them any other time) and he didn't smoke so he would have milk money. He apparently has had a couple of freak-outs at pharmacy (this week) and I bonded with two of the pharmacists (and a tech) over our mutual dislike and discomfort regarding this gentleman. Code Big Red!
Monday, May 7, 2012
A Minefield of Old People
A little girl and possibly her grandmother came to my register. Previously I had seen this girl lick the pillar in aisle four. She had a peculiar haircut; bangs down to her eyebrows, short until her ears, then down to her shoulders in the back and on the sides behind her ears. When they came to my register, she was still wearing her pink sunglasses.
"Today is my birthday." She says quietly.
"It is?! That's fantastic!" I exclaim. She grins at my excitement.
"Did you get those pretty sunglasses for your birthday, or are you wearing them because they look awesome?"
Her grandma(?) says she has taken a liking to them recently. We chatter a little more, and when she turns around to look at the candy, I notice she has flowery embroidery across her shoulders, plus two pockets a little farther down.
"Did you know your shirt is on backwards?"
"It looks better that way."
"Oh it does? Ok, that could be true."
Her grandma looks at my and shrugs as if to say, "I noticed it was on backwards, and there is nothing I can do." Before she actually said that I said,
"Sometimes my outfit is askew, and I like it when people tell me."
We bid our farewells and I wish her a Happy Birthday once again.
I had a minefield of old people by my register and the front door. They were parked there in their wheelchairs, with all their packages around them. There is a bus that comes in and drops them off, then picks them up when they're done. There are only two helpers for about eight old and slightly disabled people. But whenever I ring these folks up, I tell them the total, I ask them how they want their stuff bagged, and I hand them their change and receipts. They always seem surprised because I bet other cashiers ignore them or are irritated with them, even with their helpers are there. One of their helpers is a quick-moving Asian woman who seems a little overworked and irritated. The other person is meek and soft-spoken Jewish guy. He hunches over slightly, and seems to have a bit of anxiety. Although I did see him button his lady's coat. Misaligned, but she didn't notice and thanked him anyway.
A seldom-coworker was impressed with my couponing skills. He said if I totaled it all up, I probably save $20,000 a year. He works at a bank, too, so he should know. That was the best compliment I heard all day.
"Today is my birthday." She says quietly.
"It is?! That's fantastic!" I exclaim. She grins at my excitement.
"Did you get those pretty sunglasses for your birthday, or are you wearing them because they look awesome?"
Her grandma(?) says she has taken a liking to them recently. We chatter a little more, and when she turns around to look at the candy, I notice she has flowery embroidery across her shoulders, plus two pockets a little farther down.
"Did you know your shirt is on backwards?"
"It looks better that way."
"Oh it does? Ok, that could be true."
Her grandma looks at my and shrugs as if to say, "I noticed it was on backwards, and there is nothing I can do." Before she actually said that I said,
"Sometimes my outfit is askew, and I like it when people tell me."
We bid our farewells and I wish her a Happy Birthday once again.
I had a minefield of old people by my register and the front door. They were parked there in their wheelchairs, with all their packages around them. There is a bus that comes in and drops them off, then picks them up when they're done. There are only two helpers for about eight old and slightly disabled people. But whenever I ring these folks up, I tell them the total, I ask them how they want their stuff bagged, and I hand them their change and receipts. They always seem surprised because I bet other cashiers ignore them or are irritated with them, even with their helpers are there. One of their helpers is a quick-moving Asian woman who seems a little overworked and irritated. The other person is meek and soft-spoken Jewish guy. He hunches over slightly, and seems to have a bit of anxiety. Although I did see him button his lady's coat. Misaligned, but she didn't notice and thanked him anyway.
A seldom-coworker was impressed with my couponing skills. He said if I totaled it all up, I probably save $20,000 a year. He works at a bank, too, so he should know. That was the best compliment I heard all day.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Retirement and Balloons
I ordered balloons today, and apparently I will never be allowed to order them again. I ordered a set of Retirement balloons so I could buy one for my stepma, and I ordered several variety packs. And I threw in some fun extra balloons. My total was $65.66, and any order over $50 we get free shipping. But when my manager came in to double check he asked what was wrong with me, ordering a $25 set of balloons. He said we'll have them forever. Obviously he should have given me some price guidelines before leaving me alone.
The best thing to happen today was seeing the woman who I replaced in the Hallmark aisle. I found her in aisle 7 and she hugged me and kissed me on the cheek. She gave me her number and address so I could stop by and visit her. (No pop-ins!) And she says you have to order over $50 of balloons to get the best deal.
I was difficult to customers who may or may not have deserved in. My temper rose and fell at an alarming rate. And I'm still agitated and one coworker in particular.
I applied for a shift leader position. I'm hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.
AND my ex-manger came in to do some pull-outs today and we chatted it up. I miss her!
The best thing to happen today was seeing the woman who I replaced in the Hallmark aisle. I found her in aisle 7 and she hugged me and kissed me on the cheek. She gave me her number and address so I could stop by and visit her. (No pop-ins!) And she says you have to order over $50 of balloons to get the best deal.
I was difficult to customers who may or may not have deserved in. My temper rose and fell at an alarming rate. And I'm still agitated and one coworker in particular.
I applied for a shift leader position. I'm hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.
AND my ex-manger came in to do some pull-outs today and we chatted it up. I miss her!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Non-sequiters From My Manager
"Look at her. She has to eat a lot of M&M's to get over that."- said by my manager after I told him I was busy emotionally eating and after my coworker said something mean.
I approach him with minutes left in my shift. I need him to sign himself into the Telzon so I can order some cards. I would sign myself in, but my name expired and no one wants to give me a new one on account of how frequently I forget passwords. Anyway, as I'm handing him the Telzon he says
"I wish I was living in the 40's. 1944, to be exact. And I would want to be old enough to know what's going on. The 40's seem like a good time. Good music, the people are better...it would just be better."
"I feel like the medical fields might be lacking somewhat."
"What medical? They didn't have all those cancers and shit. Most medical was home remedies and shit. Look at you, Ms. Medical over here."
"Uh, ok."
"Or maybe I would like to be in my twenties in the 60's." He puts his thumb and forefinger up to his mouth in the universal pot-smoking gesture." Maybe get high. Like 'heeeyyyy, man. This is some great music.' You know?"
"Right. Could you just sign me in?"
I'm at the front door, waiting for a bag-check. I am taking inventory on people, so when he finally comes up I say, "Its' going to be getting busier in here, on account of the weather. It gets warm and people want to come out and shop."
"Yeah, especially all these fucking kids."
"Yeah, straight from school..."
"All these fucking kids, stealing all the time."
"Not all of them."
"All these fucking kids, with their hats. They take half my aisle...."
He walked away, so I didn't catch the last part, but I'm pretty sure it was hilarious. I yelled out "Bye!" to a few on crew and finally went home.
I approach him with minutes left in my shift. I need him to sign himself into the Telzon so I can order some cards. I would sign myself in, but my name expired and no one wants to give me a new one on account of how frequently I forget passwords. Anyway, as I'm handing him the Telzon he says
"I wish I was living in the 40's. 1944, to be exact. And I would want to be old enough to know what's going on. The 40's seem like a good time. Good music, the people are better...it would just be better."
"I feel like the medical fields might be lacking somewhat."
"What medical? They didn't have all those cancers and shit. Most medical was home remedies and shit. Look at you, Ms. Medical over here."
"Uh, ok."
"Or maybe I would like to be in my twenties in the 60's." He puts his thumb and forefinger up to his mouth in the universal pot-smoking gesture." Maybe get high. Like 'heeeyyyy, man. This is some great music.' You know?"
"Right. Could you just sign me in?"
I'm at the front door, waiting for a bag-check. I am taking inventory on people, so when he finally comes up I say, "Its' going to be getting busier in here, on account of the weather. It gets warm and people want to come out and shop."
"Yeah, especially all these fucking kids."
"Yeah, straight from school..."
"All these fucking kids, stealing all the time."
"Not all of them."
"All these fucking kids, with their hats. They take half my aisle...."
He walked away, so I didn't catch the last part, but I'm pretty sure it was hilarious. I yelled out "Bye!" to a few on crew and finally went home.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Pop and Hallmark
I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to my coworkers for the state of the pop room. Hallmark has obviously taken over and I am having trouble containing the outbreak. There are too many boxes that are filled with overstock, and my bays are filled as well. Also, there are too many Father's Day and Graduation cards. But there are not enough balloons. I meant to order them today, and then I realized I wasn't really sure how and our manager had already left.
When I went into the room today I had to climb over and on several 12-packs. I understand the frustration and possible confusion regarding that space. Tomorrow, hopefully, I will be taken off one and put back in that aisle. I will do my best to accomadate all the needs that room must fulfill. And for the record, that room is frustrating for myself as well. Still, I apologize. Can you ever forgive me?!
When I went into the room today I had to climb over and on several 12-packs. I understand the frustration and possible confusion regarding that space. Tomorrow, hopefully, I will be taken off one and put back in that aisle. I will do my best to accomadate all the needs that room must fulfill. And for the record, that room is frustrating for myself as well. Still, I apologize. Can you ever forgive me?!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Peelies and Body Piercings
I was in a good mood when I got to work, and I continued to stay in one even though L.P made an appearance. I rung a seemingly nice older couple... and I actually ran when I was doing a price check for them. They come back in a tell me that I made a mistake, that I (purposely, obviously) rung up the nasal spray wrong. While they were doing a return, they tell the H.P.S and manager that the thing in my lip is disgusting and that I am irresponsible and shouldn't be at the front of the store. I don't usually get offended by comments like that, although I rarely get "disgusting". That comment actually hurt my feeling, even second-hand. I was telling my coworkers about how hurt I was, and somehow we ended up talking about herpes. Well, she was talking about herpes and I was talking about my feelings.
A regular comes in and says he wants to see where the line of inappropriate vs. appropriate comments is. But he bought me a Hershey bar and then I stopped listening.
This guy I'm ringing up asks how my day is going so I tell him some previous guy bought me a candy bar, so obviously my day is goin' ok. He asks if I want another one, and I say yes because I very rarely turn down candy and because I am trying to sell those suggestive sale candy bars. And because I do yoga six days a week and I'm feeling pretty good about myself. And I love candy.
A register broke down today. High stress. And I had some problems setting up a Mother's Day card display.
The Ghiradelli bars are 2/$3 and I found some new flavors (Sea Salt with Almonds, Coconut Flakes) and those bars had 50 cent peelies. The Biore face/pore strips are on sale for $7.99 and I had a coupon for a free face wash with purchase of the strips. I paid $10 something for three Ghiradelli bars and some Biore. I saved $17. Decent.
P.S. One of my all-time fave coworkers comes in unexpectedly. Apparently his school year is over, so he'll be at work more. Yea!
P.P.S I am aware that body modification is a choice, therefore I shouldn't be offended when other people don't like it. When a person has multiple tattoos and piercings, that person should expect comments and looks. And I have gotten them both.
A regular comes in and says he wants to see where the line of inappropriate vs. appropriate comments is. But he bought me a Hershey bar and then I stopped listening.
This guy I'm ringing up asks how my day is going so I tell him some previous guy bought me a candy bar, so obviously my day is goin' ok. He asks if I want another one, and I say yes because I very rarely turn down candy and because I am trying to sell those suggestive sale candy bars. And because I do yoga six days a week and I'm feeling pretty good about myself. And I love candy.
A register broke down today. High stress. And I had some problems setting up a Mother's Day card display.
The Ghiradelli bars are 2/$3 and I found some new flavors (Sea Salt with Almonds, Coconut Flakes) and those bars had 50 cent peelies. The Biore face/pore strips are on sale for $7.99 and I had a coupon for a free face wash with purchase of the strips. I paid $10 something for three Ghiradelli bars and some Biore. I saved $17. Decent.
P.S. One of my all-time fave coworkers comes in unexpectedly. Apparently his school year is over, so he'll be at work more. Yea!
P.P.S I am aware that body modification is a choice, therefore I shouldn't be offended when other people don't like it. When a person has multiple tattoos and piercings, that person should expect comments and looks. And I have gotten them both.
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