The customer is NOT always right

 Years ago, in the early 1980's, I worked in a local toy store. It was the time of the new, smaller-sized G.I. Joes (the same ones you see in stores now), the original MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE and MY LITTLE PONY, the original line of TRANSFORMERS (where Megatron would turn into a GUN, of all things!), plus the start of the influx of the STAR WARS stuff. A glorious toy time, indeed.

  .....Until one day.........

   The Coleco company put out a doll.  A doll still around now, in fact. It was chubby, with yarn-like hair, and came in both boy and girl styles. It was unusual, as it had not only a first and middle name (different for each doll), but also had a 'birth certificate' as well. It was, of course, the Cabbage Patch Doll.
    Now, when these things first came in, they sold okay; people thought that they were quaint, but many didn't want to spend the money on something their kid might tear apart easily. Then, around the holidays, it changed. It seemed (to us working at the store, anyway) that Coleco had ramped up the advertising, and pulled back on production/shipping, to make them somewhat scarce in the stores. That seemed to jump-start the buying frenzy, as now all of a sudden, they were the MUST HAVES!!!! of the season. Women would actually get in to arguments and shoving matches in stores for these abominations. Don't believe me? Search for anything related to Cabbage Patch Kids and Frenzy together and see what you get. trust me, I've been in the Cabbage Patch trenches, and it wasn't pretty.

   So, you may ask, what's with the headline? Simple. Anyone who works/worked in retail will tell you: generally, people suck. Not *YOU*, of course. You're great. I'm referring to the dolts who go to a store and think that the staff is there JUST for THEM, and will serve them accordingly with no regard for anyone else. Who, when things are not going their way, seem to think that it's a great idea to scream, yell, accuse, berate, threaten, or just be generally crappy to staff. In some cases, they even think it's their right to hit people, just because "The customer is always right!" In fact, according to Wikipedia,
' "The customer is always right" is a motto or slogan which exhorts service staff to give a high priority to customer satisfaction. ' It is NOT a law, it's a business maxim. It was a thing businesses followed to get people in their place of business, and not shop the competition: Treat them well, and they'll be loyal to you.
   However, it's evolved into something of a threat: "Give me what I want, or else!" Or else, what? "I'll shop elsewhere! Maybe even online!" Then do it. I know the reason you've gone into a store is to try and get something cheaper than online. Plus, delivery still takes time, so you'd rather cause a scene to get it now than to wait. It's not the staff's fault that you're too stupid to realize that if you're actually *nice* to them, they'll be more willing to help you get your stuff as soon as possible. If they don't have it in stock, it's not their fault; blame the manufacturer or the warehouse for not shipping it, not the store for being out of stock. Trust me, stores WANT things in stock, so that they can sell them. They don't short their shelves just to annoy *you*. You aren't that important. 

  So, be nice to staff, because they're people too. Plus, they have to deal with the Dumb on a daily basis. Give them a break, and they might give you one, too.

'Tis the season....

    Well, it's that time of year again...when people start to feel festive, hang decorations in and on their home, put up a tree, make it a point to go to worship service (for some, the only time of the year that they do), and give presents to each other. Warm and joyous.

   For some, anyway.

   See, I'm a bit of a cynic when it comes to Christmas; have been for a while. Oh, not so much in the caring and loving aspect of it. That, I like. What I don't really 'get along' with, is the rest. The thought that some people only look out for the benefit and welfare of others only at this time of year, and seem to ignore it for the rest of it. Look, I know that charities are especially active at the moment; it's good that they are. People always need help, and I understand that we can't always give to them to help others all year long. What we *can* do, though, is still try to understand what others are going through, and try to be cognizant of the fact that others aren't as well off as some of us are. Yes, I know that not everyone has time or money to continually donate to others in need. But that doesn't mean that we have to wait until the end of the year to do something. Giving can happen at any time during the year, not just now. Helping shouldn't be a chore. It should be an honor - you're helping someone who needs it, and who may help someone else when *they* need it. You never know.

Things That Annoy Me

 (First of a series; multiple posts of the same thing(s), mean that they still annoy me)

***Christmas music needs to be played NEAR CHRISTMAS. This means, NOT right after Thanksgiving (give it a week, okay?), and certainly NOT by Hallowe'en. Not everyone wants to hear it.

***Speaking of which, how about different songs? I know that people have their favourites, but come on. Stop cycling the same tunes EVERY TIME. Play songs (or at least versions) that aren't heard all of the time. Instead of the Mormon Fishin'Tackle Choir doing 'Little Drummer Boy' (A song I HATE WITH A PASSION, by the way), what about Bob Segar's version? Still don't like the song, but at least it's Bob Segar.

***We wear masks because we want to help people from getting sick; ourselves, and others. People need to stop being a-holes, and need to also stop looking at people who wear them like we're idiots who 'fell for the hype!!!'. We do it to keep healthy...us and you. If you don't want to protect yourselves and your families, that's your business. Just don't post whiny crying videos of when you're in hospital, hooked up to machines, lamenting "I should have took precautions!"

***I'm still surprised at the number of cars - *newer* cars, especially - that don't seem to have functioning turn indicators. You'd think that with the money cars cost, this would be standard, and not an option. Hmmm.

***No, I'm NOT backing up in a parking spot, just so you can pull through. Either go around like a normal person, or park somewhere else. Sorry you can't drive like a sane person.

***If you block the aisle with your cart and walk away a few aisle over because "I forgot something!", I'm moving it. If you don't like it, don't throw a fit...MOVE YOUR DAMN CART TO THE SIDE, or take it with you. You're not the Ruler Of The Market, you're a dolt.

***Control your kids. Just because you don't want to watch them, doesn't mean that stores are going to. It's not a daycare, it's a restaurant.  You don't like it when others say something about them? Then stay at home and cook. Or get delivery. Or (novel idea, this) watch your damn kids. What an idea, huh?

More, when the mood strikes. Carry on.