It has recently come to my attention that I have lost my spine. I used to say what I wanted, when I wanted. Just ask my mom how fun it was to come down to my school and hear me be mean to my teachers right in front of them. I was all about speaking my mind and this condition only worsened in college. I never thought I was rude, just honest, but I did have quite a reputation as a...well, you know.
So, after I went on a mission I realized there is no reason to be mean to people. Even if they are at fault it still doesn't really accomplish anything to be mean. I still had occassional outbursts but for the most part I was reformed. Then when I became a mom, it really changed the way I see people and I became totally spineless. I am always afraid I am stepping on someones toes so I don't even stick up for myself anymore.
For example, today I was at the grocery store checkout line when the cashier accidentally dropped my bell pepper on the floor and cracked it open. She asked if I wanted a new one. I politely said that I did but that I would need someone to go grab one for me since I had Alex and Chloe and a long line of other shoppers behind me. The cashier looked at the bag boy and they rolled their eyes for a minute and then she just went right back to bagging my groceries. I was a little baffled but I didn't say anything. They continued to ring me up and bag my groceries. They put all the bags into a new cart (not the one Chloe was sitting in) and they even used the seat in the front to hold groceries so that Chloe had nowhere to sit. So, as I was about to leave, with Alex hanging onto my pants, Chloe in one arm and the other arm deperately trying to stear the cart without crashing or dropping Chloe, the cashier says..."Just go ahead and grab that bell pepper on the way out." I almost laughed out loud. I was as far from the produce section as I could get; it was not "on my way out" at all. My situation was already precarious...and our produce department is tough to navigate even in the best of conditions. I was going to be lucky enough to get to the car without any accidents or injuries. There are so many things I could have said but I just said "Okay" and walked out the door of the store.
So, my question is, how can I stand up for myself without being rude? I had already asked for help and they clearly were not going to help me. I thought it would be rude to ask again so I just left, but now I don't have my bell pepper that I paid for. Oh well, they were doing a pretty bad job. I am sure they got more than their fair share of people yelling at them today. And maybe, since I kept my mouth shut it will cancel out one of the times that I should have, and failed to.
(sorry Ms. Parsons...and mom)
Second Week of School
3 years ago
7 comments:
I hope this wasn't at Woodman's cause I love that place!
Hmm, I like to stand up for myself, but in this situation I would just forget it and write her off as a jerk who hates her job and takes it out on customers or someone so oblivious that they can't even recognize how poor their performance is.
Oh Julie I am so sorry to hear that! I feel for you I do because I don't know what to say because I feel the same way. In fact, my MIL is great at it, I need to take lessons from her. I have been trying to stand up for myself, I just think that you can't always be stepped on.
Call the store and tell them you didn't get your red pepper. You can get one when you go back or they will give you your money back.
Girl, I would have asked them to please get the pepper for me again. Then ask for a manager if they refuse again. You are not being rude, and the customers behind you could get miffed that you are holding up the line. But in the long run it might improve customer service if they realize they can't get away with it. Come on, they are getting paid to help you. Sorry, I know Corey wishes I could be nicer sometimes, but people can be so lazy.
First Julie I could NEVER imagine you rude... it was really funny for me to read you saying that you were once a "rude" person because you are SOOOOOO not rude! I definitely didn't know you in those days. One time @ pic n save I had a SUPER rude cashier and Inever said anything, but I called the store as soon as I got home and talked to the manager. I made sure to see the girls name tag and the manager was REALLY nice. He appoligized and said he would talk to her. I never say anything to people too when I am angry/upset I just keep it inside and then complain to Ryan or get mad at myself for not saying anything at the time. I look at it too as- they are rude, there is no sense on being rude too... two wrongs don't make a right. Okay, sorry I'm rambling, I just finished work and I always have lots to say after I've been reading a script for 3 hours! Okay...enough now. Take care! I know... I need to grow a backbone too...It would have made previous times MUCH more enjoyable... ohhh well, live and learn
I think I would have just asked them to take it off my bill after they dropped it.
That's funny because when we first met I though you were not rude but very blunt. I'm totally spineless so, sorry, I've got no advice for the pepper situation.
I cant believe you didnt say anything. First of all it isnt rude to have them get you something that they ruined. Second that person that treated you like that shouldnt be working there. It is the job of people that go in there to let the management know when people arent doing their job. I think that you would feel better and empowered if you spoke to the manager next time you went in. This isnt right. You need to teach your children to stand up for themselves without being rude. It is possible. (Im learning to do this myself)
Oh and Emily is right tell them you didnt get the pepper you paid for and what happened and why you didnt get it.
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