6 posts tagged “work”

After a (sort of) less-than horrible experience of last-minute Christmas shoppers last week, I was actually prepared to write up a post about how surprisingly... nice people (well, most) can be.

Hell, it was even to the point that I could smile without it looking forced at all. And speak in a (kind of) cheerful-ish tone that wasn't completely made up and creepy.

Then... well, today pretty much reminded me why I was a misanthropist.

First off, hagglers - conversations basically go like this:

Customer: [places item on counter]
Me: Hi. [presses keys on the register] That'll be $X please.
Customer: I thought this was a/The $2 shop. (First mistake - This place ain't a $2 store. We sell stuff for that price, yes, but just because this place is classified as a 'discount shop' doesn't mean that EVERYTHING is $2.)
Me: Um... No. This store is called "Max! Out", and it sells things more expensive than $2.
Customer: Oh. Could you lower the price to $2, then? (Note: This is either worded as a question or a demand.)
Me: Um... No. I can't do that.
Customer: [stares]
Me: I'm sorry, but I cannot do that. I am not the manager of this store, and therefore do not have the power to do so.
Customer: Fine. I'll just go to the other $2 shop upstairs/on the other side of the mall. [exuent]

Then, the most infuriating and tears of frustration-inducing people would be the goddamn shoplifters.

Most of them come in groups and are roughly aged between 10 to 18. Again, mostly male.

Today was especially frustrating because I know what they stole, but can't really do anything because I don't know which one stole the damn thing and where the shi... person hid it.

To top it off, a more sympathetic customer actually told me that those people were shoplifting, but I couldn't exactly do anything because of above reason.

One kid even stole a lighter. I'm more worried of what that kid will do with it.

I really felt like breaking down and crying.

I still do, actually.

Funny. Every time something remotely good happens that makes me appreciate humanity a little more, something else happens that make me remember just why I hated people in general.

That's it. I give up. I'm not even going to bother trying to regain my faith in humanity. C'est mort.

On a less stressful note, at least once a day, there are Chinese people who, because I'm asian, assume that I'm Chinese (or speak fluent Mandarin) and speak to me in that language. Cue my interruption and awkward reply of "Sorry, but.. um.. I don't understand."

The situation becomes more awkward when they either don't understand English or think that I'm only pretending that I don't understand, and continue to talk to me in Mandarin.

Eventually, after repeated gestures and more awkward silences, the person leaves.

To those who know what I look like: Do I look Chinese? I've been mistaken for one by not only non-asian groups, but even Koreans. It's... unsettling, to say the least.

To be honest, I've been in said Retail Hell since the first of December, but couldn't be bothered didn't really feel I needed to say much.

However, having worked here in Max! Out (Not a typo) for what can tentatively be considered a week, I can (not-so) happily announce that I will one day look back on this experience and shudder. Or laugh hysterically, depending on my state of mind at that point in time.

General statements I'd like to make:

- As crazy as it may sound, it is not hilarious if you half-jokingly ask for a "100% discount for the Christmas Season". Funnily enough, some people have the same sense of humour as you, and will ask the sales clerk the SAME. BLOODY. THING.

- On the flipside, it is considered rude and downright stupid if you ask, in all seriousness, for a discount. In a freakin' discount store.

- If you break/destroy/pop/ruin an item, common courtesy states that you should tell the sales clerk about it. Depending on how sincere you sound, they may or may not let you off the hook for honesty.

- NO. WE DO NOT SELL BB GUNS.

An expanded version of this post may or may not come, depending on whether or not I can be bothered motivated able to do so.

Woman: "Well, yesterday, I bought this vest off your husband, but it <Something something. I can't remember the rest.>

Me: "...."

Husband?!

EDIT EDIT EDIT EDIT EDIT EDIT EDIT EDIT EDIT EDIT EDIT EDIT EDIT EDIT EDIT

Let me expand on this.

This morning a middle-aged woman came to the shop asking for a refund for a 'safety vest' thing that she bought. I think she was complaining about the size or something. I nodded silently and gave her the refund.

The ramifications of said statement is going to give me more nightmares than the baby incidents and even IT put together.

I mean... come on!

How old do these idiots think I am, anyway?!

I'd say more about this, but... but... it's just... just... Ugh! Buah! G-g-gha... Eurgh!

I can't even type what the hell I'm feeling here. Squick sums it up quite well.

... Dear God, I can already see the ensuing therapy sessions.

So. After Armageddon (which was totally awesome, if not for the fact that I spent like $200 there :<), I found that I was to start working from Sunday until the Sunday before school starts.

Crap.

Also, today I read a letter I got from Vic Uni. The strange thing was that although my name's written correctly at the front on the inside my name is Lyle (?!). Then, I realised that there was a progress report along with my newsletter, so I took a look-see there.

A little disappointed with French, but otherwise happy. Now then, onto the retail hell (because those who read this willingly are weird sadists and I appear to enjoy ranting).

My work hours are from 9.00am 'til 5.30pm. Slightly longer than a regular school day, so no complaints so far.

Anyway, gripes, gripes... where to start...

First off, there was that obligatory hag woman who assumed that because IM AZN I CANT SPEEK ENGREESH LOLZ and so had to request what she wanted veeeery slooooowly. Naturally, due to this I understood even less, and frustration got the better of her and as a result she left. Hooray for misperceived language barrier!

Then, there were the little shi brats who tried to steal capguns. My dad eventually kicked them out, but paranoia settled in right after that.

... And then, there was that slightly disturbing conversation I had yesterday (Thoughts are in italics):

Old lady: Hi. How are you? :D
Me: Um... Good? ^_^;;
This is... odd. Nothing unusual, though, so I better be nice and smile back.
Old lady: So, how's the baby?
Me: ... O_o
I HAVE A BABY?! WTF?!
Old lady: ...? *Waits for reply*
Me: Er... I beg your pardon? Baby?
HOW OLD DOES SHE THINK I AM, ANYWAY?!
Old lady: ... Wait, you're not that lady I talked to often, are you?
Me: Er... no?

Then, there was a separate incident after that involving my dad this time:
Old man: So, are you the husband of that woman who had that baby?
My Dad: What?
Old man: ... You're not, are you?

... Man, yesterday was all kinds of awkward.

"A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti." - Hannibal Lecter, from The Silence of the Lambs

Hi all. (ie. Lisa. Lol)

Like the title says, I've been quite busy this week (Which doesn't actually fully explain my lack of updates for the past month) with two main (legitimate) reasons:

FIRST REASON: Work.
Stocktake on Tuesday. Not exactly what you would call the most easiest job in the world, mainly because I can't remember how much I counted, so having to count all over again. Easily took at least 4 hours or so. All but collapsed on my couch bed.
On Thursday I worked from 9am 'til around 10/11pm at a different dollar store (but still a dollar store, nevertheless). Was almost in tears (of happiness, mind) at the fact that no one questioned the name/price thing. No one.
Friday, the same as above, though it only took 12 hours that time. When I arrived home, there was a special surprise waiting for me. (Will explain later.)
Saturday, same thing. 9 - 6pm.
And finally, today. 10am - 3.30pm.

Christine has finished work!
Earned ??? exp. and 250G. (<- Actually earned this much today. Still not sure if this is all the pay that I'll get for my work [a total of around 44 hours] or if that's only what I've earned for the day.)
Christine gains a level! Please add skill points:
Strength +1
Agility +0.5
Tiredness +10
Humanity -5
Charisma +1
Christine loses even more faith in humanity.
Christine slowly descends down the path of madness.

SECOND REASON: DOGS.
On Friday, I arrived to hear the news that I was to look after two border collies until next Friday for my parents' friends.
I was ecstatic at first, but then remembered that I'm actually quite crap at looking after pets.
Saturday wasn't too bad. I awoke at 6.30 in the morning to walk the two, give them breakfast, etc.
Come Sunday morning, and I find dog crap in the dog kennel.

Guess who had to clean it up.

The problem with not letting the two dogs free to roam around the yard is that we have a low fence. Thunder and Blaze (The two dogs) love to escape and sometimes terrorise the neighbour cats. I can't leave the dogs free unsupervised, and the two are driving me ballistic with their continual need for attention. Wikipedia does not kid when it says that they are highly energetic and having a tendency towards neurotic or destructive behaviour if not given enough to do.

They're well-trained, though. Their owners are very good dog handlers.

I'm glad that I don't have work tomorrow. For the next couple of days I'm going to be busy supervising the dogs and pray that I don't find dog crap in the kennel tomorrow.

I doubt it, though. Unfortunately, the two seem afraid of the neighbours' dogs, and their whining is absolutely shattering my heart. This fear(?) can also explain why there was doggy doo in the kennel.

I'm still praying with all my heart, nevertheless. I really am trying my best here.

May add pictures later.

You may be wondering why I haven't blogged for so long.

My excuses are that my dad got me a job and I was lazy.

More of the latter than the former, though.

So, to counter this I am going to write the longest post in this entire blog.

News of the job: my dad was like "Congrats, you got a job starting Monday!" on Saturday.

Good news:
- Job! Yes! I don't need to get one from Pak'n'Save!
- MONEYS! 8D
- It's in Porirua, so no one would be able to recognise me! Huzzah!
- The other staff are Korean.

Bad news:
- The other staff are Korean. (Remember? Can't speak good Korean, due to the whole 'came to NZ at 4' business)
- It's in retail. Again. D:
- I work from 10~6pm. 8 HOURS. DDD:
- It's in retail. *shudders*
- I'll have no job after Christmas, since I'm only working 'til Christmas Eve. D:
- RETAIL. DDDD:
- I'm working Monday through to next Monday. No days off. DDDDDDDD:
- DEAR LORD ITS IN RETAIL
- Because of the strict workdays I can't go Christmas shopping. I didn't even START OTL
- I think I forgot to mention this: It's a dollar store. Called "Dollar Store 1 2 3" (LIKE, WAO SO ORIGINAL LOLZ) and the prices are as follows: $1, $2, $3 and $3.90.

So it's more bad than good news.

Here's a detailed report on the job for the first four days:

Day 1
Started work. Learned the ropes from the senior staff.
Really wasn't too bad, though I was too shy to ask for a break and ended up working non-stop for 8 hours.
Had someone ask me if we either sold BB gun bullets or BB guns themselves. Memories of Morning Glory show up. I can't escape from that stupid question, can I?
I also ended up working around 40 minutes extra for free. It involved moving boxes. And cutting them open with boxcutters. That was the fun part.
The day ended with me having really sore feet, especially on the soles, since my shoes are in disrepair. I need to get new shoes.
My mouth hurt a little from fake-smiling too much.

Day 2
Felt like a chore to wake up and go with my dad to Porirua, since feet still hurt. It's a lot different from Morning Glory, since I have to constantly stand to work the cash register, and it's always busy with customers.
Had a break this time. It was brief, but swell.
Met the first asshole who asked "Why the hell is it called '1, 2, 3' when this thing costs $3.90?" and slowly pointed at the numbers to me as if I couldn't speak english/was retarded.

I'm beginning to hate this job already.

Ended the day by helping my mum translate this thing from Korean into English. Not very easy on the brain, since I have the vocabulary of a 4 year old and had to piece the paper back together with sellotape after my mum ripped it to shreds in anger at my reluctance to translate.

Day 3
Wet and miserable morning. Helped my dad deliver boxes of new stuff into the store in the rain. Found out that my shoes weren't as water resistant as I had hoped and had to work with sopping wet sneakers.
Had a woman who wanted a $200 cash out for buying something worth $3.90. I said no, and told her that there was a bank not far from here. She then asked for $100. It was still too much and I said no. I half hoped she would get the message and go away.
She didn't, and asked for $50. Knowing that she wouldn't go away, I gave her the $50 note. She literally snatched it off my hands and without even a word of gratitude she walked away.
I am getting really sick of Beyonce's 'Irreplaceable' song, both in English AND in Spanish (At least, I think it's Spanish) plus the remix with a reggae-like beat.

I managed to get a blister on the sole of my foot. I didn't even know that was even possible.

Day 4
Began the day as usual. Endured the pain on my feet.
Met another asshole who decided that a) I can't speak English and b) I have the power to change the shop's name and, as such, should change it to "Dollar Store 1 2 3 3.90".
There was a woman who was served by my co-worker, who isn't very fluent in English. She explained something to me in Korean, then left the woman alone to check the price on something without any explanation. The woman, asked me if my co-worker couldn't speak English and apparently was insulted that "She gabbled in some chinese language and left without even saying a word". She then asked my co-worker when she came back if she couldn't speak in English.

I seriously hate that Irreplaceable song now. I have a headache, my feet are killing me, and my toe is bleeding for some inexplicable reason.

Right. I'm tired, sore and I really don't want to work tomorrow.

Perhaps, if I act really sick enough, my dad won't take me to work.