I know I've talked this subject to death already, but since the beginning of the month is here, it's bills and rent time -- so it's been on my mind a lot lately.
When I was working at my old job, each day I would bring in a trivia question that I would tape to the counter. It was a great conversation starter, to say the least, and people seemed to really enjoy having a mind teaser to ponder while they waited for their coffee. So I thought it woudl be fun to make a little contest out of it. I kept track of customers' correct guesses on index cards with those foil start stickers. The idea was that the first person to get 10 questions right would win an awesome prize. Here's the thing though -- since the owner of the joint is so cheap, I would have to pay for said prize myself. I didn't mind though -- I loved my job and I loved my customers. So I decided on a gift certificate to the bookstore next door -- a small independent place specializing in new age material. Not exactly the place I would shop frequently, but the owners are some of the nicest people I've ever met -- and they loved the trivia to boot -- so they got the business. I bought a gift certificate for $100 -- it was kind of my way to give something back to my work -- as lame as that sounds. I really liked the place that much.
Six days later I was fired.
This all took place about a month ago. I'm bringing it up again because today I had to call the owner of the bookstore and ask for a refund for this now useless gift certificate. She understood and kindly obliged, bless her. I was hoping that I wasn't going to have to ask her, but I haven't been able to find work in shitty ass Seattle, and I've already sold a huge number of my video games and -- wait for it -- my BED, so I had to swallow what little I had left of my pride.
I guess it just pisses me off that I was willing to spend my own money on a customer as a prize for an activity that is maybe -- at least a little responsible -- for generating some business -- and then I'm canned because I don't smoke pot at work. People may say that I'm like Calvin from "Calvin and Hobbes" in that I always learn the wrong lesson from my life's experiences, but not this time. Here's what I've learned:
I FUCKING HATE HIPPIES!
OK, update time:
Not two minutes after I typed that last sentence -- I got a job offer!!!! Starting Monday, I'll be working at TJs! Woo Hoo! Only took me five weeks!
Oh yeah -- I went to the Hurricane for the first time last night. I know , I know there's no excuse considering how long I've been out here. I ordered the chicken strips. You get a shitload of fries but only 4 strips! Oh well, it's still better than 13 coins...
When I was working at my old job, each day I would bring in a trivia question that I would tape to the counter. It was a great conversation starter, to say the least, and people seemed to really enjoy having a mind teaser to ponder while they waited for their coffee. So I thought it woudl be fun to make a little contest out of it. I kept track of customers' correct guesses on index cards with those foil start stickers. The idea was that the first person to get 10 questions right would win an awesome prize. Here's the thing though -- since the owner of the joint is so cheap, I would have to pay for said prize myself. I didn't mind though -- I loved my job and I loved my customers. So I decided on a gift certificate to the bookstore next door -- a small independent place specializing in new age material. Not exactly the place I would shop frequently, but the owners are some of the nicest people I've ever met -- and they loved the trivia to boot -- so they got the business. I bought a gift certificate for $100 -- it was kind of my way to give something back to my work -- as lame as that sounds. I really liked the place that much.
Six days later I was fired.
This all took place about a month ago. I'm bringing it up again because today I had to call the owner of the bookstore and ask for a refund for this now useless gift certificate. She understood and kindly obliged, bless her. I was hoping that I wasn't going to have to ask her, but I haven't been able to find work in shitty ass Seattle, and I've already sold a huge number of my video games and -- wait for it -- my BED, so I had to swallow what little I had left of my pride.
I guess it just pisses me off that I was willing to spend my own money on a customer as a prize for an activity that is maybe -- at least a little responsible -- for generating some business -- and then I'm canned because I don't smoke pot at work. People may say that I'm like Calvin from "Calvin and Hobbes" in that I always learn the wrong lesson from my life's experiences, but not this time. Here's what I've learned:
I FUCKING HATE HIPPIES!
OK, update time:
Not two minutes after I typed that last sentence -- I got a job offer!!!! Starting Monday, I'll be working at TJs! Woo Hoo! Only took me five weeks!
Oh yeah -- I went to the Hurricane for the first time last night. I know , I know there's no excuse considering how long I've been out here. I ordered the chicken strips. You get a shitload of fries but only 4 strips! Oh well, it's still better than 13 coins...
VIEW 5 of 5 COMMENTS
Sorry to hear about the job. That's really lame. I have had my share of shitty experiences like that myself.