Rudeness

I am noticing a disturbing trend in people today, rudeness. Having lived away from Michigan for some time, it has become apparent to me that people are more rude here as opposed to Missouri. I guess I just got used to people dealing with issues in a happier fashion. People a little further south are just nicer. They smile at you, they say hello, they ask how you are doing and they mostly respect the fact that we are all in this together. I used to get a kick out of my parents when they would visit. They were shocked that people said hello and actually had a conversation with you. The most glaring of all rudeness revolves around cell phones. Who hasn't been in a store and had the person in front of you in line blabbing away on their cell phone? I saw a sign in a store that read:

"If you want our help, hang up your phone!"

I thought that was great. A couple weeks ago I had a fellow co-worker get yelled at because the ladder he was moving was making too much noise and disturbing a lady on her phone! She told him he needed to quiet down and couldn't he see she was on the phone? Really?!? The other thing that really ticks me off are the blue tooth headsets. I can't tell you how many people I walk up to and ask if they need help and then I get this exasperated look and they point to their ear. I guess I am supposed to just know they are on a phone call. One last thing about rude cell phone users. If I am in the middle of a conversation with you, trying to help because you asked me to, and your phone rings, and you answer it and start a conversation, don't be surprised when I walk away to help someone else.

One night a lady walked into our store, put a container of file folders filled with papers on the desk, and interrupted the associate who was helping another customer. She demanded to be helped immediately. The other customer put up a small protest and was greeted with a curt "I'm not talking to you!" Wow. Rude. She couldn't understand why we wouldn't drop everything and take care of her. She was mean, rude and not very attractive. (I know that should not matter, but I'll take a little more crap from someone if they are attractive. It's a character flaw of mine, deal with it.) Since we were not able to guarantee that we could meet her every demand in her very short time frame, she took her project elsewhere. Good luck with that, you big meanie!

Where is this rudeness coming from? Why do people feel it's OK to just be rude? I swear some people get out of bed and say "today, I am going to be the rudest person I can be!"

I have several friends in the restaurant/bar industry. I always feel better about my job after spending time with those folks. I am shocked at the way those people get treated. They get yelled at, harassed, poorly tipped and blamed for everything. How is it the waitresses fault the food was prepared wrong? Why yell at the waitress because you do not like the smell of the food at the table behind yours? Yes, I have seen this happen, once. I felt really bad for that poor girl. By the way, if you are going to be a drunken idiot, the least you can do is leave the bartender or waitress a decent tip for having to put with you. I have a friend who does this and the wait staff seems to forget/forgive his behavior rather quickly and they are always glad to see him again.

I am not sure if this next example is rude or disrespectful, I'll let you decide. I lived in Kansas City for the better part of 10 years. In that time I attended several Chiefs games at Arrowhead Stadium. At the end of the National Anthem, the majority of the crowd changes the word "brave" to "Chiefs". I find that to be very rude. I was attending a game with my Dad a couple years ago, and I voiced my displeasure about this practice right before the anthem. The man sitting in front of us turned around and informed me that if I didn't like it, I didn't have to do it. If my beer didn't cost me 8 bucks, I am pretty sure it would have ended up on his head "accidentally" at some point. But that would have been rude, wouldn't it?

Honesty

"...and the truth, shall set you free!"

Jim Carrey "Liar, Liar" 1997

Why is it so hard to just tell the truth? If you haven't heard, it is much easier to remember the truth. If you tell lies, you have to remember them. I encounter people all the time who are intentionally deceitful. When working in the hardware industry, customers would ask "do you have rental?" You knew right then and there that whatever they were buying was coming back. I used to enjoy being called up to approve a refund. I got lucky a few times and remembered certain people and I would inquire as to why they were returning their item. I would usually hear the standard "it quit working". That was when I took a minute and plugged the item in and guess what?!? It worked without a problem. The look on the faces was priceless! Then started the inevitable himming and hawing. Usually they ended up walking out with the product realizing they had been discovered. Just be honest.

" Mr. Manager, I bought it, completed my project and I just don't want it anymore!"

Will I be mad? You bet!

Will I issue the refund, provided it is within the specified time frame for a return?

Yep! And I will have respect for that persons honesty. I wont like them very much, but I will respect their honesty.

Over the years I have heard some whoppers from people when they are calling in from work. I have found it amazing how many people get a terrible "flu" on the first 75 degree and sunny day of the year. I also love how some people ramble on for days about the big party they are going to on Saturday night. Lo and behold, they call in on Sunday with the "I must have ate some bad food last night". How stupid do people think I am? And another thing, how many grandmothers do some people have? I find it amazing that when you ask for proof of attending a funeral, I get the "I lost the remembrance card." Really?!? My favorite of all time. An associate called in and claimed to be terribly sick. I actually believed this kid. He told me he was going to the hospital because he was so sick. A few hours went by and I thought I would call and see how he was doing. His mother answered the phone and I asked how he was doing. She asked me what I was talking about. I told her of the earlier conversation. She then informed me that she thought he was at work! He called the next day and quit! What an idiot.

I was a young party guy at one time. I know what a 4 alarm hangover feels like. I also called in one time because of it. This was the conversation:

"Boss, I got plastered last night and I can't even breath without being sick. Ill be in about 2 hours late. Is that OK?"

After my boss stopped laughing, he told me to rest up, drink lots of water and he would see me in two hours. Painless, and I maintained my integrity in the process. When I got to work and the laughing finally calmed down, my boss thanked me for coming in, took pity on me and gave me easy tasks for the day. I didn't have to worry about a lie. We all had a good laugh about it and the day went on. If Tiger Woods was just honest about his philandering, the story would be dead already. Bill Clinton, need I say more? Just tell the truth, its so much easier. You might even be surprised at how understanding people are if your honest.