The Vent - Part 2

[SonoranSongbird 3]

Our secretary brought her child, who has a strep throat, into the office. STay the frig home if your kid is sick. I don't want your child's germs anymore than the other kids at school do.

[Sprailenes 47]

Our secretary brought her child, who has a strep throat, into the office. STay the frig home if your kid is sick. I don't want your child's germs anymore than the other kids at school do.

How unprofessional! I would send her home.

That reminds me of this time when I was working at the hotel in Canada, our breakfast server came in with her sick 1 year old and was him carrying around from table to table pouring coffee for the guests. I get a call at 7:30 am from our owner who is PISSED and I had to go in and send her home. She basically told me she called me at 5:30 am to ask me if I could watch her son so she could work, but I wouldn't answer so she had to bring him in.

Um so it was my fault that I didn't answer your phone call? To watch your kid?? I remember that day too, it was my first day off in 16 days and I was looking forward to not doing ANYTHING. Ugh I don't miss hospitality at all.

[thetreble 19]

Actually, I am less willing to hand out something in your favour if you get animated with me. And I'm speaking in terms where kids are calling me a "mother *ucker" on the phone and stuff. When certain people say no to you as a customer, it;s often not a case of them getting their way, but a case of them following procedure.

I'm not saying all customer service is good, it obviously isn't. I receive bad customer service all the time. But the fact of the matter is, is that out of all the kids I talk to, maybe 10% of them are polite and curteous. Most of them are completely disrespectful and think that by telling me to "#### off" that will magically make all their problems go away. I get angry, too, but not enough to tell someone to f off and especially when it's my own fault.

I'm also not the first person they speak to most of the time. Remember, I work for the administration and not for the parking office. I help structure the budgets and write the policies and procedures. When I get those calls, it's because the parking office can't deal with them and they are asking to speak to someone higher. Very little of my job is actually customer service. But depending on what time of year it is, I do get some unruly people.

My brother was taking a flight home for christmas and he got stuck on a stop over due to a snow storm. He was given little help from the flight operator and he had no working cell phone as it was dead. He called me from the airport to get me to figure out if anything was happening. I called the company and after speaking to 2 CSR's and 2 managers, they would not tell me information about his flight due to a security reasons. It made me so angry as this was my brother but they were not willing to budge. Not once did I yell, but I did say I think the policy was unacceptable in certain circumstances.

I think how you approach people depends on what kind of results you are going to get. I had a mother tell me she was going to the university ethics board about me because I wouldn't give her son a parking permit on the basis that he was gay. I couldn't give him a parking permit because her wasn't eligible for one based on university policy. (he was a resident student who lives here) She then harassed me after that for about 3 weeks..calling me every day about 5 times a day. I should have reported her to the police.

Any way, it's not just here at the school. In my town, there are kids who loiter downtown and tell people passing by to f off too. I mean, it just seems like in general, there is a lack of respect going around for every one.

[SonoranSongbird 3]

Actually, I am less willing to hand out something in your favour if you get animated with me.

Yeah, I agreee with that. If I'm pissed off enough to be unable to hide my irritation, I at least try to mitigate it by saying "I realize it is not your fault and I'm not trying to take it out on you" or something along those lines. A lot of times, crappy customer service is the result of the right hand not knowing what the left is doing and if you are nice enough--but still persistent--you can get the person you are talking to to find someone who can solve your problem. Not always though.

Sprailenes, she actually did take her home. She just stopped in to go through the mail and put a few motions on my boss's desk. She likely did that because she had taken Friday and yesterday off and her daughter got sick over the weekend. Still, I would have been happier if she'd called in and told us what needed to be done. I do NOT want to get a strep throat. It is pretty brutal to get a strep as an adult.

[Sprailenes 47]

Oh okay that's good, still you're right she shouldn't have brought her in, plus the child needs rest! Not to be out and about. I understand its hard for some parents, but use common sense.

[trailmix 77]

I can't believe that! Why would RBC be talking to your realtor? That's incredible! I would think it would be a breach of some type of confidentiality as well. I'd be suggesting you want another "mortgage person" at RBC if they can't respect your wishes that all contact be through YOU. The nerve!

I agree, I have never dealt with such an unprofessional group before. My Realtor is ok, sellers realtors - not good, the RBC bank woman - very unprofessional - and she used to be a bank manager!

I would absolutely find another mortgage person, however she is the one here who deals with 'Canadians' - so she is familiar with the whole Canadian credit rating scenario etc and I just can't stand the thought of starting over with a new person right now

So far today I have talked to the realtor and the RBC mortgage woman. The bottom line is both the realtor and RBC woman are suggesting that we go with a more conventional mortgage as it's easier to deal with. I have a chosen a less conventional mortgage.

I have now explained to them that this will allow us to have more cash to fix up any house we buy. My point - and I now think that we are all on the same page is - regardless of which mortgage we get it benefits the realtor and the RBC to get us to agree to any mortgage which is easy for them.

I do not care - it's our money and I take this very seriously - either we all respect what Mike and I want in a mortgage or - well there is no or - that's just the way it is going to be.

Edited April 21, 2009 by trailmix

[JillA 2]

Our secretary brought her child, who has a strep throat, into the office. STay the frig home if your kid is sick. I don't want your child's germs anymore than the other kids at school do.

That's horrible! It also bothers me when sick people come to work, it's ok if you have the sniffles but I mean full on sick and you come in. That's what sick days are for, use them! No need to spread your germs around and get your co-workers sick too.

[beans 7]

Whats unfortunate are the places that don't have sick days and you have to get someone in yourself. I remember getting strep once and I tried calling in but my manager said there is no one to cover your shift come in. But bringing your sick kid in to work I feel is unacceptable, I'm not a mom however so it's hard to not be biased.

[Emancipation 2]

wow.. i'm stunned by the news these days.. is it just me or are people becoming more and more intolerant each and every day? It looks like we are merging into a society of 4 or 5 issues, and if you happen to fall on the wrong side of the popular opinion or you hold a dissenting view you are publicly humiliated and scorned. Wow.. I'm just kinda stunned really over the whole Miss America thing, and now even Jackie Chan is being strung up.

I dunno some of this feels very akin to witch hunting Salem-style. Are we looking for bigots, communists etc. under every rock & cranny these days? *sigh..

* i realize I'm going to get flamed for this.. but I'm just wary of what I see (regardless of how anyone feels about the issues at hand).. If someone makes a completely ridiculous and illogical comment why can't we just let the words stand (or fall) for themselves?

Edited April 21, 2009 by Emancipation

[minnew 4]

ARrrgh! I was so set on purchasing my airline tickets to Vancouver today as the end of the seat sale was midnight tonight! Now the seat sales have been extended and I don't know if to chance it and wait one more day! $20 difference between Air Canada and Westjet!! $89 one way on Monday and Thursday for Westjet! and $89 and $109 for Air Canada! Now I am all frustrated, about what time to leave Vancouver after (hopefully) picking up my visa after 2 pm on Thursday! *sigh*

[Tankgurl38 0]

If you get to the Embassy right at 2 pm or 2:15 pm, you will basically go through the two sets of security and be able to pick up your Visa right away. My interview was last Thursday and Friday I just popped in at 2 pm and picked up my Visa right away, took a total of 10 - 15 minutes to get in and out of the Embassy.

[JillA 2]

wow.. i'm stunned by the news these days.. is it just me or are people becoming more and more intolerant each and every day? It looks like we are merging into a society of 4 or 5 issues, and if you happen to fall on the wrong side of the popular opinion or you hold a dissenting view you are publicly humiliated and scorned. Wow.. I'm just kinda stunned really over the whole Miss America thing, and now even Jackie Chan is being strung up.

I dunno some of this feels very akin to witch hunting Salem-style. Are we looking for bigots, communists etc. under every rock & cranny these days? *sigh..

* i realize I'm going to get flamed for this.. but I'm just wary of what I see (regardless of how anyone feels about the issues at hand).. If someone makes a completely ridiculous and illogical comment why can't we just let the words stand (or fall) for themselves?

That's media today, and it will never change!! As a celeb you have to watch every word you say or you'll get roasted. One word out of context and you're screwed. Like when Obama was on Leno and said the special olympics comment, he didn't mean it that way against disabled people but was skewered for it. With the media hanging on their every word, it will never change. Mind you I agree with Miss America whatever being lambasted, I think she deserves that for her comments. And when you're in the public eye, watch out! As one judge put it: "She lost the crown because she wasn't able to convey compassion for ALL the people that, as MISS USA, she would be representing," Moakler writes on her Celebrity MySpace blog. "And if YOU like it or not, gays and lesbians make up this country as well. THIS is why we have judges, so they can find the RIGHT woman who obtains these qualities." I agree with that judge 100%!!

When you discriminate, people are gonna hate on you.

Edited April 21, 2009 by JillA

[trailmix 77]

wow.. i'm stunned by the news these days.. is it just me or are people becoming more and more intolerant each and every day? It looks like we are merging into a society of 4 or 5 issues, and if you happen to fall on the wrong side of the popular opinion or you hold a dissenting view you are publicly humiliated and scorned. Wow.. I'm just kinda stunned really over the whole Miss America thing, and now even Jackie Chan is being strung up.

I dunno some of this feels very akin to witch hunting Salem-style. Are we looking for bigots, communists etc. under every rock & cranny these days? *sigh..

* i realize I'm going to get flamed for this.. but I'm just wary of what I see (regardless of how anyone feels about the issues at hand).. If someone makes a completely ridiculous and illogical comment why can't we just let the words stand (or fall) for themselves?

That's media today, and it will never change!! As a celeb you have to watch every word you say or you'll get roasted. One word out of context and you're screwed. Like when Obama was on Leno and said the special olympics comment, he didn't mean it that way against disabled people but was skewered for it. With the media hanging on their every word, it will never change. Mind you I agree with Miss America whatever being lambasted, I think she deserves that for her comments. And when you're in the public eye, watch out! As one judge put it: "She lost the crown because she wasn't able to convey compassion for ALL the people that, as MISS USA, she would be representing," Moakler writes on her Celebrity MySpace blog. "And if YOU like it or not, gays and lesbians make up this country as well. THIS is why we have judges, so they can find the RIGHT woman who obtains these qualities." I agree with that judge 100%!!

When you discriminate, people are gonna hate on you.

While I 100% disagree with her - it is good that she was honest when put on the spot like that - she could have easily lied - but she didn't.

I do agree with you too em, not really necessary to turn it in to a freaking international issue.

Edited April 21, 2009 by trailmix

[minnew 4]

If you get to the Embassy right at 2 pm or 2:15 pm, you will basically go through the two sets of security and be able to pick up your Visa right away. My interview was last Thursday and Friday I just popped in at 2 pm and picked up my Visa right away, took a total of 10 - 15 minutes to get in and out of the Embassy.

Thank you Tankgurl! I will be having my interview on a Tuesday, medical on Wednesday. I read about someone a few weeks ago that had the same situation as mine and they already were printing off her visa by the time she got to the consulate to submit her medical results on Wednesday afternoon. I can onlyl hope right? LOL. I am wondering how bad the traffic situation is around 3 pm from the Consulate to the airport? My cousin will be driving me most likely, anyways to be safe I am going to book one of the latest flights on Thursday. I think I will have to risk it and book it tonight....or maybe tomorrow...we will see

[SapphireDreams 71]

I got summoned for Jury Duty on May 26th and I'm supposed to move June 6th!!!

They included a letter about how they are choosing a jury for a case that is expected to go for 5 weeks!!!

I have no problem going for jury duty - actually I think it would be kind of interesting... but BAD TIMING!!!

I am not postponing my move for jury duty!!!

I think I'm going to buy my plane ticket and tell them I already had travel arrangements.