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March 08, 2004 THE INDUSTRY OF SERVICE I have said it before, and I will, more often than not, say it again. People are strange. Nay! People are stupid, crass, uncouth, insipid, petulant, filthy bores.Allow me to elucidate. Currently, I work at a grocery store. Oh… but this is no ordinary grocery store. No, this is a "unique" grocery store. You could call it highbrow if you wanted, or even something as special as esoteric. However, that would still not change the evinced fact that it is simply and purely a grocery store. Now the clientele of this particularly "esoteric" grocery store consider themselves the elite of all grocery store clientele, they exhibit an obtrusive level of arrogance I have only seen in wanna-be rock stars. This bizarre, self-inflated sense of pride exists in part, because the store actually caters and perpetuates this false attitude of superiority. They go so far as to call their customers "educated"; just because one knows the difference between Gouda and Gorgonzola cheese, does not mean one is educated. In fact, it goes as far as the clientele, feeling superior, because they have chosen to shop at said grocery store. I have seen these pseudo intellectuals literally scream at an employee- who was simply in the process of trying to do a decent job- because, in their infinite disdain and wisdom, they ineptly and wrongly accused the employee for not having chocolate soymilk on the shelf. I have seen (and experienced myself) haughty morons hand employees their trash, while a trash can, skillfully camouflaged in obvious view, lies waiting, only a foot away. People; have shoved me (and unfortunately, I'm not jokin' here folks) out of the way to reach their precious "organic" dried fruits and nuts. When I inevitably turn on them, ire suffusing my face with blood and rage, they look at me with as much indifference as they might give to a homeless person, or even a street sign; barring the fact that I could destroy them physically. Let me tell everyone out there who is woefully under the misconception that those of us who work in the service industry are there to "serve" them, that you are, not to put too fine a point on it, wrong. We are not there to serve you. I myself, serve no man. What we are there to do is to help, and help only. Just because we don an apron or nametag, every day does not mean we lose all of our inalienable rights. We are still human, regardless of the uniform, regardless of the company with whom we are employed. We are individuals, with individual lives and individual dreams. Most of us are quite talented. I certainly consider myself lucky and fortunate to have worked with so many gifted and intelligent people and friends. We work hard… damn hard, as, I am assuming, do you. Moreover, we deserve and demand the same rights you yourself are afforded. Forgive me for repeating myself, but this... right to fairness and common courtesy does not change merely because we have chosen to work in an industry of service. Not only is it wrong to openly mock us or treat us unfairly, but also it is undeniably stupid. We cook your meals, and bag your groceries. We copy your social security cards and clean your homes. We know where you live. Do not fuck with us! (Thank you Fight Club!) I hate arrogance. I always have. There is a difference between arrogance, and pride in ones self and achievements. Some of the most humble people I know are also the most talented. I hate people who claim to know the truth. Humility, in both knowledge and attitude, is the sign of a warrior true, as well as real wisdom. I have always strived to be as humble as possible. I know I am no better than anyone else, albeit I do try to act with a modicum of strength and respect, which is a great deal more than I can say for the majority of customers at the store. [Add Comment] [View Comment] |
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