Dis and Dat

[liz_marcs]

First, happy b-day to nwhepcat.

May you have an awesome one and I hope you're out partying hardy somewhere.

I'm gonna make this short because me is tired after a shift at Borders.


Customers Suck

Most of them actually don't, but I had one sweartheart today...

Okay, part of my current foul-ish mood is that I was on registers for 5 hours today. Yuck. My least fave job outside of cafe. However, this is not the customers' fault and since it was on the slowish side, you can chit chat with people about their books and what they're reading and make recommendations about similar artists for CDs. It's a little soft-shoe sell and it's all good. Most customers don't mind the recs because they're book-music lovers themselves and they know they can read or listen before they buy.

Anyway, this couple comes to my register during a slow-ish time and I grab their book to scan it in. I noticed it was shapped like some sort of workbook thing-y but don't really look at the title. After all, 'tis the season when nervous parents are loading their poor kids up with SAT and ACT workbooks up the ying-yang, so I don't even register this book's title. I see a red cover and assume it's something from the Princeton genre of nerveous nelly test prep.

I'm trying to scan the barcode, but naturally, the barcode sticker is not exactly cooperating. After swiping it from a couple of different angles and still not being able to ring it in, the wife yells at me about "being more discrete" and that I "not show everyone the title to everyone in the store."

There's one person at the next register and they and the other cashier stops what they're doing and looks at her and the book. I quickly put it down and see the title:

The Sex Addict's Workbook.

Now, I personally don't think this is a big deal. We sell books that are a hell of a lot more embarassing than something like this (Helloooooo, hardcore porn in the erotica section!) and this looks like something a social worker or psychiatrist might buy.

Anyway, I quickly apologize and say that I didn't really look at the title. Since the wife is being tetchy and working herself up to a quality seethe, I forego trying to scan the book and instead punch the inventory number into the computer by hand beacuse, obviously, there's something wrong with the sticker. Plus, I'm afraid she'll blow a gasket if I try to swipe the book again.

Now, I've apologized and have started hiding the book title as requested, but this woman is still going off about my "insenstivity." She came very close to calling me stupid to boot.

So, I finish ringing, shove the book in the bag, take her money, make change, and hand over her purchase. She huffs out with her husband following her.

Keep in mind, had she not said anything, no one would've even noticed what she was buying. She literally brought attention on herself, her husband, and her purchase.

Not even 10 minutes go by and the store manager yanks me off the register to talk. I inwardly groan. We walk into his office and I say, "Let me guess." Then I relate the story.

Store manager nods with a sigh and tells me that the woman came back in the store, demanded to speak to him, dragged him out into the parking lot, and forced him to apologize to her husband because, aparantly "everyone in your store assumed the book was for my husband." Then she insisted that "something be done about that girl on the cash register."

I didn't get into trouble or anything, but for form's sake, I was told...something. He wasn't entirely sure what to tell me because this was a one-in-million situation. Just a sort of, "Be less chipy-chirpy if you happen to notice someone buying sex books." Or something like that.

In my brain, I'm going, "What? Like I ever suggest someone buys this month's selection Hustler whenever they buy a book from the erotica section? Do I look insane? Wait. Don't answer that."

Like I said, store manager was just a little bit at a loss since I didn't do anything wrong and handled the situation properly.

It was mostly, "go and sin no more...or something like that" and that was that.

So...whatever...



There's such a thing as over-preparation, you know...

So another customer was returning a test-prep book. This is SOP for the overachieving parents in the area of this Borders. They buy the test prep books for the SATs and ACTs (college/university entrance exams for you non-U.S. people) and when they don't need them any more, they get returned. As long as we can resell them, we take them back, no questions asked.

Anyhoo, this woman is complaining that her daughter didn't read it and didn't even bother to do any of the tests in this particular book. I point out that you can't actually study for the SATs and ACTs because they actually test on information you, as an entering freshman, should already know. In the course of conversation, I mention that I didn't study for either my SATs or ACTs and still managed to score over 1300 on the SAT without even breaking a sweat.

"Well, did you get into the college you wanted to?" the woman snots.

"Every college I applied for gave me early acceptance and a boatload of scholarships, so yeah, I got the college I wanted," I reply politely.

"What's your degree?" she snaps.

"Journalism."

Now she's getting irritated. "Are you even using it now?"

"Yup. Make a good living at it, too. Just doing more technical writing than newspapers, so yeah. Totally using it and making a living off it."

"So why are you working here?"

"It's Saturday. And I like books. I like the discount I get working here even more."

There was mumbling. There was huffing. Then there was, "Yeah, well, it's a lot more competitive now."

"But a 1300 or more will pretty much get you into any university," I point out.

Yup. Overachiever mom definitely looked sick as she left.

Yes, it was a totally bitchy thing to do, but I had been on the register almost 5 hours at that point and my chirpy-chirpy was up and gone. Plus, she was bitching out her daugher who wasn't even there to defend herself to a complete and total stranger.

Damn, being a high school senior is stressful enough. Your parent bad-mouthing you because you didn't crack one of the many test prep books he/she is making you read is just...hey, I felt bad for the kid.



And on a final note...stay away from fried food.

I crawl out of my shift and it's late. So I decide to get a quick meal at Kelly's Roast Beef, which is more known for its deep-fat-fried fish food. Since I hadn't had fried scallops (or deep-fat-fried anything) in a million years, I decide to go for the scallop plate.

*blurp*

Have you ever noticed that when you don't eat something bad for you in a long, long while and you decide to do something very, very stupid, like eating that something bad for you, you get really, really sick?

I mean really sick.

*blurp*

I had to drive home for 30 minutes after this icky repast. I can still taste...

*eeeeeewwwwwwww!*

I am seriously green around the gills right now.

If anyone needs me, I'll be on the couch and snuggled until a blanket until my digestive system stops rebelling.

I soooo have to go to the gym tomorrow to work off this 10-pound brick in my stomach.

Comments

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

story number 1 amused me no end. But I understand the woman actually - you buy something like that and you assume that every person is the universe is staring and pointing at you. Paranoia, tis wonderful.

As far as number 2, will 1300 boards get you in everyplace? I assume not Harvard since they're looking for other things also. (not that my kid has a chance in hell of getting in someplace like that.) The whole SAT deal is a real dilemna. I'm waiting for Aaron's PSAT scores before I decide what to do - if they're high, damned if I pay for a prep class. (When I went to HS, no one took prep classes. I mean, nobody. I got very high scores without that nonsense, but today everything seems so much more competitive.)

And number three is so, so true, Every time I eat a donut and that greasy taste sits in my gut, I remember why I don't eat crap like that.

[liz-marcs.livejournal.com]

Admittedly, I didn't even try to get into an "ivy" because of the costs involved. Working class kid can't afford Harvard, not if you want to escape back-breaking debt. Still got into some fairly prestigious "non-ivy" schools and went for the university that gave me the most $$$.

Truthfully, much of my university/college decisions was based on what was affordable, although the one I went to was really at the upper limit of "affordable," and that's with all the scholarships and financial aid.

The scary thing is, my brother went to state schools, and still ended up paying a few thou more than I did for his education, mostly because the private schools have more financial aid and scholarships to throw at students.

I'll just let you know though...in my experience the PSATs are a hell of a lot tougher than the SATs or ACTs. I think they're designed to scare the hell out of you. You're better off taking the SATs twice (like I did) since you'll always score higher the second time around and colleges only take the higher score. I only had to take the ACTs once and scored well above the program minimum for my target colleges. Plus, I think the ACTs are easier. *shrug* Then again, I tend to test well.

As for Story 1: well, if she snapped and let it go, it'd be no big deal and I'd be all sympathy for her situation. But dragging the store manager out into the parking lot to make him apologize and then giving him hell about me...that was just a little above and beyond. I'm not entirely sure what she expected me to do other than what I did...apologize and comply with her request.

But...bleugh...I'm going to the couch now...

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

affordable is going to be a **big** part of the equation. I'm not even sure where to start looking as far as colleges, truthfully. He and I will have to start thinking about it, though. (He's a junior).

[thespatz.livejournal.com]

I don't know how long ago Liz went to college, but a lot of her advice is still relevant, especially on financial aid. My counselor (who was a college-knowledge goddess) told us to apply to a range of schools, and not to worry extensively about the cost until we got our FAFSA back. Even then, independent scholarships are just all over the place, if you really go after them.

Because I have two sisters in college, I am paying the same amount for my private school as I would at the state university in my hometown. You *can* get screwed over on financial aid because of the way they calculate the required family contribution, which is why you should have a range of schools. The financial aid offices at each college are usually very friendly and helpful with options and information.

PSATs are good to take, but they are very different from the SAT, especially with the new essay in the SAT. I can't really say how different it is, because I was in the last year that took the old test (I'm currently a freshman). I would not recommend paying for a prep class, but sometimes schools have free ones, and those test books you can buy are not awful. They do help you familiarize yourself with the format and the question style. I just hated paying College Board even more money ;)

If your son is more verbal/liberal artsy, you might look into the ACT. I hear those types do better than with the SAT, and most colleges require either ACT scores alone or a combination of SAT and SAT IIs, which can get expensive. I can't comment on the ACT -- I had some friends who took it, that's all.

A 1300 will help you in a lot of places, but in recent years they look less at SATs. More important are your son's classes: admissions staff like challenging, full schedules, and a B in an advanced class is better than an A in an easy class. They don't like off periods (especially senior year). They also look for community activity, because they are judged by what their students do and how they are perceived, not by their GPAs. Leadership and volunteering are attractive; long-term interests indicate passion and dedication; sports are also good.

[physicsteach.livejournal.com]

I teach high school juniors and seniors, and while I'm not an expert, what I'd suggest is getting a test-prep book (singular) for the SAT, and have him take a practice test (with you timing and everything) so that he can get a feel for what taking the test is like. Otherwise, pay attention to the newsletters his school sends out. My district offers a relatively low-cost course. Spending big money on a high-end course is unlikely to improve his scores.

[bigsciencybrain.livejournal.com]

*cuddles* I know the feeling. Ate an entire bag of Reese's holiday bells today. Not a good idea. But I'd been really good since I got back into the gym a month ago so jumping off the wagon was inevitable. *sigh*

Also, I picked up some of that tea on your recommendation. Didn't end up hitting the sheets until 1 or so but that was some quality sleep...wow. :)

[nwhepcat.livejournal.com]

I think Customer 1 should bring the book back tomorrow and say, "I thought it was about getting more!"

She is an idiot and I'm sure her husband just wants to die.

Thanks so much for the happy birthday wishes! I have had a grand day, even though it was not what I had planned, and I have a complete new mania now for the silk dyeing.

And I was nearly caught up on "Water" but my printer ran out of ink.

[booster17.livejournal.com]

May I recommend customers_suck ?

You are not alone....

[anelith.livejournal.com]

Wow, I'm amazed at how rude people feel they can be to those working in customer service. Just the fact that they assume they can return their used prep books awes me.

It seems so much harder to get into college these days; I wonder how it will be in, oh, about 8 years when it's time to get serious about Evan's choices. That's when he'll be in 10th grade.

Hope you're feeling better now.

[midnightfae.livejournal.com]

Don't feel so bad... I get the same thing, being that I "should" have graduated last year, if you go by the "usual" routine of out of highschool, took me four years, and, moreover, I do that same thing you do with pointing out SAT scores.

I also didn't study. *g*

[entrenous88.livejournal.com]

So I decide to get a quick meal at Kelly's Roast Beef,

Heeee! In college, I was explaining to someone "You know, when you hang out with all of your friends at the roast beef places," and everyone blinked and said "...what?" Ah, Massachusetts.

[faithhopetricks.livejournal.com]

I have NO SYMPATHY in this internet age for someone who makes a big deal about the BOOK CLERK seeing what book they're buying. If it shames/freaks you out that much to buy that kind of book in a brick-and-mortar place, get it from Amazon.com.

"Well, did you get into the college you wanted to?" the woman snots.
"Every college I applied for gave me early acceptance and a boatload of scholarships, so yeah, I got the college I wanted," I reply politely.
"What's your degree?" she snaps.
"Journalism."
Now she's getting irritated. "Are you even using it now?"
"Yup. Make a good living at it, too. Just doing more technical writing than newspapers, so yeah. Totally using it and making a living off it."
"So why are you working here?"
"It's Saturday. And I like books. I like the discount I get working here even more."
There was mumbling. There was huffing. Then there was, "Yeah, well, it's a lot more competitive now."
"But a 1300 or more will pretty much get you into any university," I point out.

You are fucking awesome, but you know that already. ("So why are you working here" -- what a bitca! Like freelancers don't ever work regular jobs, or, like you, do part-time gigs if they want weekend work and like discounts or whatever.)

[midnightsjane.livejournal.com]

People really do weird things. Like you say, this woman totally called attention to herself..I wonder why?? I'm not precisely in the customer service biz, but let me tell you, some of the families of my patients in ICU are so dysfunctional they make Drusilla and Angelus look like models of sanity. My tongue gets bitten regularly..
I ate a large order of fries from MacDonald's tonight, for the second time in 2 weeks; years go by and I don't eat that stuff, then I do it twice. I enjoyed the salty goodness of the fries when I was eating, but now..ech.