"No."
The 'she' he was asking about was me. And I really was there. But I had tried for days, and in numerous ways, to make this customer happy. And I couldn't. He was not happy. He was not going to be happy. And there was nothing I could do that could change his outlook or attitude.
And I was tired of trying. Plus, I was busy with other things.
And a million more excuses.
And I was tired of trying. Plus, I was busy with other things.
And a million more excuses.
So, I told my co-workers that when he walked in that day, they were to tell him that I was gone.
In reality, I was hiding in another room.
In reality, I was hiding in another room.
I had endured his curses and threats, and was tired of explaining that what he wanted was impossible for me to accommodate. I expected him to leave. He had told me many times that his time was valuable (much more valuable than mine). What I didn't expect was him to answer:
"I'll wait."
:O
What? He'll wait???!!! Now what was I to do? He could see the doorway to the room I was hiding in. I couldn't leave the room without him seeing me.
I was trapped.
I was trapped.
I sat there for a few minutes. My co-workers were silently smirking. They knew I had painted myself into a corner, so to speak. Could I out-wait him? No. I had too much work to do. I realized I was going to have to just bite the bullet.
I took a deep breath, walked out of the room, strode right up to him, and sweetly asked, "May I help you?"
I took a deep breath, walked out of the room, strode right up to him, and sweetly asked, "May I help you?"
If he was surprised, you'd never know it. He launched once more into his tirade, and I once again told him what I could do - and what I couldn't. But one thing changed that day.
He never came back. Secretly, I gave a little cheer.
He never came back. Secretly, I gave a little cheer.
My garden is hiding from me. But I know it is there, just under the surface.
I'm waiting, and watching.
And one day it will become tired of just sitting there, waiting for me to leave. And it will come out of hiding.
I'm waiting, and watching.
And one day it will become tired of just sitting there, waiting for me to leave. And it will come out of hiding.
 |
And I will greet it with unconcealed cheers of joy.
Ugh.. I know that feeling.. dealing with someone who is being impossible. But the garden is a pleasant thing to wait for, and I'm sure it will be happy to see you as well. :)
ReplyDeleteKeri
Your story reminded me of a time when I worked at a coffee shop. The same customer would come back almost daily and complain about the food, the prices, the service. I snapped one day and told him there was nothing I could do to change what he wanted and if he didn't like it he didn't have to come back. He seemed surprised. Sometimes I think people really just want to be miserable.
ReplyDeleteCute story..... Loved it... Our Daffodils look about the same size as yours.... GADS---it's too early for ours!!!! AND--we have Hyacinths BLOOMING already... Can't believe it..
ReplyDeleteMy garden is NOT waiting... Wish it would... ha
Hugs,
Betsy
Love that story, my garden and I are waiting for the southerly thats supposed to hit this afternoon. It is now 46 degrees celcius and rising as of 2.30 pm.
ReplyDeleteLovely story - your garden will burst forth in it's own sweet time.
ReplyDeleteAhh the joys of customer service....
ReplyDeleteBut the garden is a welcome antidote to all of that. Nice story :)
Some people just don't get it when told no. They try to intimidate so you say yes.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
That story sounds familiar to me! I think some people have gotten satisfaction from bullying others and think they can try it over and over. And there are others who are helpless in their lives - whatever their demon may be, and need to gain some control to feel important; those I feel most sorry for.... Good for you for being your sweetest self! Good riddance to the beast!
ReplyDeleteThe sign of a snowbell blooming gives hope!
Unlike your nasty customer, you will greet the garden and say thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt always amazes me when people act with such a superiority complex. They make life so much harder for themselves and those around them.
ReplyDeleteAaaargh! I don't know how you walked out and greeted the customer - I would still be hiding in the other room now!
ReplyDeleteI'm ashamed to say that when my garden is hiding from me, I dig down and look for it. Shameful behaviour.
I'm sure you have not been complaining to your garden! Try some sweet talk - maybe it will speed things along!
ReplyDeleteSome people delight in being difficult.
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks good to me. It'll be back before you know it.
A good story. There are many people with frustration and anger very close to the surface, anything can make them erupt. Seems this is something we see more of these days. But in my mind, I can't associate the garden with the man in the story. It's more as if the garden were you, waiting in the back room, waiting for winter, the disgruntled customer, to leave.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is hiding from the frost so that it can present you with a spectacular display in the spring. I remember last year, bulbs were sprouting on new year's day but they didn't last very long.
ReplyDeleteHello Holley, nice to meet you! Just read your wonderful essay on Jennifer's blog, congratulations :)
ReplyDeleteUroczy opis :). Ogród niedługo pokaże swoje kolory. Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteLovely description :). Gardens soon will show their colors. Yours.
Some people will never be happy, whatever you do for them :-)
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks the same as mine, or did, until we got 2 inches of snow today, our first this winter. We might get some more on Sunday, but it won't lay for long, soon the daffodils and tulips will be back to pushing for spring. Can't wait!
Oh sir, you seem to have mistaken me for someone who gives a flying rip about anything you have to say. Plants (and dogs and cats...) are much nicer than people most of the time. It's exciting to see your garden starting to wake up!
ReplyDeleteThe anticipation of waiting for your garden is much better than the anticipation of bring greeted by a nasty customer. Best thing is your garden communicates by sight and smell - it certainly doesn't talk back!!
ReplyDeleteIt won't be long now :)
One of my favorite sayings is 'the only way out is through'...it has helped in so many ways. I cannot wait for our gardens to come out and see us...mine is under a bit of snow again and we are turing frigid so it will be a while...2 months at least....but once it finally warms for good warms they somehow know its time.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got rid of that nasty customer but the revival of your garden (and mine) is very welcome.
ReplyDeleteYears ago I hid in a friend's office to avoid confronting a staff member I had discovered was stealing, so this post really made me smile!
ReplyDeleteI think some people just don't listen to themselves. We used to have a neighbor who used swear words liberally. I don't think she realized how she sounded, it was a habit.
ReplyDeleteAs for the garden, it's just waiting for the right time to bring out all the best parts. As Mama used to say, "February is a short month," as if 2-3 days made a huge difference.
Hi! Thanks for visiting and following my blog. I'll be visiting yours :) Greetings from Poland!
ReplyDeleteI have a complaining neighbor like that. It was a real revelation to me when one of my friends pointed out that I was never going to satisfy her because she didn't want to be satisfied. It was the outrage that she was enjoying.
ReplyDeleteI loved the way you set up this tale and brought it round to your garden. Perfectly written! Yes, your garden will come out some day in spite of the fact that you have not left. And how refreshing that will be.
ReplyDeleteYes, we will continue to wait for spring. Oh, my! I'm glad that guy gave up.
ReplyDelete