Customers

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 5:22 am

Peg;449074 wrote: I have a customer laying in the hospital right now. They don't expect her to make it. She'd occassionally bring me a really nice meal if I worked on Sunday. She had done it for others too, but I was the only one that ever gave her a thank you card. I'm glad I did. It made her sooo happy. Unfortunately, they don't expect her to make it. A year ago this month, a man I loved, admired, and respected died. I'm to the point where I no longer want to work with the public, seeing the same people every day. You build too many attachments.

You sound like such a caring person, I'm sure your customers would miss you dreadfully if you left!

So many older folks just want to have someone to talk to, who will take the time to listen to them. They don't like to be a bother and if someone gets impatient with them they quickly shut up and walk away, assuming you're not interested.

You're probably one of the few people who smiles at them, listens to them or talks to them each day. Too many people can go for days without talking to a single soul. You must cheer their day immensely. Take to heart that this woman was fond of you and you were fond of her. We all have to die sometime but better to die knowing there are people in your life who care for you and are saddened by your passing, than to realise that no one will notice your loss or care that you are gone. Your kindness may seem like such a small thing to you Peg, but to those who receive it it must be like basking in pure sunshine. :-6

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 5:52 am

Galbally;449186 wrote: Interesting, in the last few weeks I have been working in a bookshop helping out and earning some extra money before I either go back into doing some science stuff, well its either that or getting into making leprechaun porno films. Anyway, its interesting as I havn't worked in a shop for a very long time, and you kinda forget what dealing with the public is like. Bookshops are generally very nice to work in as people are normally happy and fairly well adjusted if they are buying books, unlike for instance women shopping for shoes, which is another matter.

Anyway, I digress, sorry.

So the other day a woman came into the store, nice woman, middle aged, not unattractive, well turned out, well spoke, so first she says "this is an excellent bookshop", i says, "fair enough, i think so as well", then she picks up this book on the freemasons, and says "Oh I'm buying this, freemasons worship satan you know, really they do, so do the muslims"......silence........ "eh up" I though, "here we go", so she gave me a 15 minute lecture on how christianity was not a religion it was just about following jesus, "I was really tempted so say "in that case does the fact that I follow Aston Villa Football Club make the centreforward a true messiah?", but I didn't couse there were other people in the shop and I wanted to get home before 11 pm, its fun though, all human life passing in front of you asking questions about books. There is always one though, always one, any given day.

That is really funny!

Isn't it interesting

All the little adventures we have in our day-to-day lives? :-6

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 6:12 am

We have a customer that has been a member for years, but only started coming in the last few months. He's one of those loud, obnoxious drunks. It takes him around 4 beers to get that way. He does not ask for anything, he demands it. He demands everything from a drag off your cigarette (ewwwww), a cigarette, a light, a beer, etc. The other day, in the middle of waiting on someone else, he whistled for me. When I finished with the customer I was with I went over, looked at him and said, "Kenny, I'm am NOT a dog." He replied that he knew this. I continued on with, "Then do not EVER whistle for me again". He even makes it miserable to go there to have a drink. He hangs on people, weasles his way between couples to flirt with the wife, etc. I've warned my bosses that if he is allowed to continue, I will refuse to serve him. I'd rather lose one customer than a dozen because of him. :-5

OzBoy · Post by **OzBoy** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 6:49 am

I used to work in a call centre for a major bank in Australia and our entertainment every friday night was the drunks who would phone in from the other side of the country yelling down the phone saying that the ATM had swallowed their card (usually because they were to blind to remember their pin!) and could I get off my arse and give it back to them!!!!! Even after I explained that I was in another state they would always say yeah but cant you just press a button or something :-2 :-2 Night shift was never dull

Carl44 · Post by **Carl44** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 6:54 am

OzBoy;513775 wrote: I used to work in a call centre for a major bank in Australia and our entertainment every friday night was the drunks who would phone in from the other side of the country yelling down the phone saying that the ATM had swallowed their card (usually because they were to blind to remember their pin!) and could I get off my arse and give it back to them!!!!! Even after I explained that I was in another state they would always say yeah but cant you just press a button or something :-2 :-2 Night shift was never dull

welcome back ozboy and its such a shame that your to late to gloat over the cricket :wah:

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:05 am

I have a customer who comes in twice a day, every day. Seeing him every day, for 6 years, you grow fond of a person. He is now in the hospital. He will probably lose his leg. He has diabetes. He developed a sore on his foot and didn't get it checked. Gangrene set in. He kept it hid from his wife until he was so ill, he had no choice but to go to the hospital. I don't understand why he didn't go sooner, but it's too late to wonder. It's very depressing to go in and find out one of your favorites is going through such pain.

Karen is another one. She was a nurse. She had a stroke quite a few years ago. I never knew her before the stroke. She is one of the most upbeat, sweet, child-like people you would ever meet. She would be devastated if she ever accidentally hurt someone's feelings and would never do it on purpose. She fell a few weeks ago. She had what appeared to be a seizure. Further testing revealed she had blood on her brain. They had to do brain surgery. She is in ICU but her vitals are good so there's something good.

I was off yesterday and it's like I am afraid to go in today. I don't want any more bad news.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:57 am

aw i hope its ok Peg:-4:-4 im glad you brought this thread back though, i have really enjoyed reading it:D

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:40 am

Peg;1205599 wrote: I have a customer who comes in twice a day, every day. Seeing him every day, for 6 years, you grow fond of a person. He is now in the hospital. He will probably lose his leg. He has diabetes. He developed a sore on his foot and didn't get it checked. Gangrene set in. He kept it hid from his wife until he was so ill, he had no choice but to go to the hospital. I don't understand why he didn't go sooner, but it's too late to wonder. It's very depressing to go in and find out one of your favorites is going through such pain.

Karen is another one. She was a nurse. She had a stroke quite a few years ago. I never knew her before the stroke. She is one of the most upbeat, sweet, child-like people you would ever meet. She would be devastated if she ever accidentally hurt someone's feelings and would never do it on purpose. She fell a few weeks ago. She had what appeared to be a seizure. Further testing revealed she had blood on her brain. They had to do brain surgery. She is in ICU but her vitals are good so there's something good.

I was off yesterday and it's like I am afraid to go in today. I don't want any more bad news.

customers are special people..........

Peg, I hope he will be alright.

ZAP · Post by **ZAP** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:49 am

kazalala;1205631 wrote: aw i hope its ok Peg:-4:-4 im glad you brought this thread back though, i have really enjoyed reading it:D

I'm glad too. I've enjoyed reading this so much. Your place sounds like a friendly one, sort of like Ohio's answer to Cheers. You sound like a very special, caring person. I'll have a vodka diet, please.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:09 pm

Zapata;1205731 wrote: I'm glad too. I've enjoyed reading this so much. Your place sounds like a friendly one, sort of like Ohio's answer to Cheers. You sound like a very special, caring person. I'll have a vodka diet, please.

:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:14 pm

I'm glad you all enjoy it. Some day, if I ever get time, I want to go back and read the whole thing myself and see who I have left out.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:36 pm

I hate customers that ask questions like do you have this or where is that ?

Its very annoying.

I really hate customers that after telling them Im sorry we dont have that the longer they stand and stare at you they appear to somehow think it will suddenly appear in my hands.

I really really despise the ones that after asking me if we have something and I say no then they find it somewhere on their own. Those ones Id like to kick.

I really havent met a good customer yet.

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:44 pm

Nomad;1205891 wrote:

I really really despise the ones that after asking me if we have something and I say no then they find it somewhere on their own.

:yh_rotfl :yh_rotfl

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 5:17 am

Peg;1205599 wrote: I have a customer who comes in twice a day, every day. Seeing him every day, for 6 years, you grow fond of a person. He is now in the hospital. He will probably lose his leg. He has diabetes. He developed a sore on his foot and didn't get it checked. Gangrene set in. He kept it hid from his wife until he was so ill, he had no choice but to go to the hospital. I don't understand why he didn't go sooner, but it's too late to wonder. It's very depressing to go in and find out one of your favorites is going through such pain.

Karen is another one. She was a nurse. She had a stroke quite a few years ago. I never knew her before the stroke. She is one of the most upbeat, sweet, child-like people you would ever meet. She would be devastated if she ever accidentally hurt someone's feelings and would never do it on purpose. She fell a few weeks ago. She had what appeared to be a seizure. Further testing revealed she had blood on her brain. They had to do brain surgery. She is in ICU but her vitals are good so there's something good.

I was off yesterday and it's like I am afraid to go in today. I don't want any more bad news.

The first customer is on a feeding tube. They removed a toe and part of the foot. His leg is still turning back and to top it off, he has congestive heart failure. :-1

Karen is now home from the hospital and doing better.

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:31 am

I went in to work yesterday to sign up for the daily. I was informed that another one of my customers died. It just never gets any easier to take. I saw this man every day for 6 years. He darn near died on me while I was working one time. If he didn't come in for 2 days, I'd call his son and have him check on him. Every time one of my customers pass away, I find myself questioning if I still want to work there.

cars · Post by **cars** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 7:31 am

Peg;1243875 wrote: I went in to work yesterday to sign up for the daily. I was informed that another one of my customers died. It just never gets any easier to take. I saw this man every day for 6 years. He darn near died on me while I was working one time. If he didn't come in for 2 days, I'd call his son and have him check on him. Every time one of my customers pass away, I find myself questioning if I still want to work there.
That's because you're a genuine concerned really kind person Peg, sorry for your sorrow! I'm sure over the past 6 years, there were many times where you made his day worth while living waiting on him! As far as staying there, unfortunately it's a necessary evil if you like to put food on the table & also pay the rent!

Omni_Skittles · Post by **Omni_Skittles** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 11:09 am

I used to work at an amusement park this summer and i'd get men in their 50's hitting on me... My dad is fifty... So gross!

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 11:33 am

OzBoy;513775 wrote: I used to work in a call centre for a major bank in Australia and our entertainment every friday night was the drunks who would phone in from the other side of the country yelling down the phone saying that the ATM had swallowed their card (usually because they were to blind to remember their pin!) and could I get off my arse and give it back to them!!!!! Even after I explained that I was in another state they would always say yeah but cant you just press a button or something :-2 :-2 Night shift was never dull

When I lived in London I had a phone number that was one digit different from a local cab company's number. So we used to get lots of calls asking for a taxi and I would reply "sorry wrong number" and give them the right number. One night an incredibly drunk bloke phoned at about midnight for a taxi. He was shouting and swearing drunkenly down the phone and wouldn't listen to what I was trying to say. So I told him the cab was on its way and would be with him in about 20 minutes!

I thought a nice wait in the cold night air would do him good!

:wah:

cars · Post by **cars** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 5:10 pm

Omni_Skittles;1243974 wrote: I used to work at an amusement park this summer and i'd get men in their 50's hitting on me... My dad is fifty... So gross!
Men in their 50's usually are someone's dad. And at that age, they should know better then to hit on someone your age, it's just wrong!

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:31 am

Rapunzel;1243979 wrote: When I lived in London I had a phone number that was one digit different from a local cab company's number. So we used to get lots of calls asking for a taxi and I would reply "sorry wrong number" and give them the right number. One night an incredibly drunk bloke phoned at about midnight for a taxi. He was shouting and swearing drunkenly down the phone and wouldn't listen to what I was trying to say. So I told him the cab was on its way and would be with him in about 20 minutes!

I thought a nice wait in the cold night air would do him good!

:wah:

good for you Rap, awesome!:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

I guess you have a new phone number!:wah:

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 5:35 pm

I have a customer who is literally missing. He was supposed to leave Philadelphia, PA a week ago last Thursday to come home. He is not back yet. His sister has not called the cops. I don't know what she is waiting for! I've even checked out the Philadelphia news online. I have a bad feeling.

TenneseeGirl · Post by **TenneseeGirl** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:05 am

I used to work for a company that took calls for everything from AARP to Girls Gone Wild.

I really enjoyed being a female voice that answered the GGW line. I can tell you I -never- got tired of the question "Are you a girl gone wild?" I didn't really take my job seriously so I would mess with the people when I was in the mood. The little boys who prank called and the dirty olf men looking for phone sex. I had one of those 1-900 numbers that I kept by my phone and I would give that out as an alternative ordering number to everyone who asked my cup size or what color panties I was wearing.

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:20 pm

Peg;1244585 wrote: I have a customer who is literally missing. He was supposed to leave Philadelphia, PA a week ago last Thursday to come home. He is not back yet. His sister has not called the cops. I don't know what she is waiting for! I've even checked out the Philadelphia news online. I have a bad feeling.

I went in today to a note that said he had died. :-1 He was found on a park bench in Philadelphia from a heart attack. He was about to be buried as a John Doe when they identified him. I am so glad he will have a decent burial.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:49 am

Peg;1247912 wrote: I went in today to a note that said he had died. :-1 He was found on a park bench in Philadelphia from a heart attack. He was about to be buried as a John Doe when they identified him. I am so glad he will have a decent burial.

How sad ,, but thank heavens he will have his name to be buried:-4

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 8:42 pm

I have a customer in his early 60s. The man is so full of life! He likes to drink a lot, and he likes to have fun. You know when he walks in, you will be laughing the rest of the day. He has so much energy, he puts teenagers to shame! He was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus. They removed the bottom portion and reattached it to his stomach. He is now in a coma, pneumonia in both lungs. I hope he pulls through okay, but he has abused his body for years. He's my buddy and I am so afraid for him. :-1

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:14 am

Peg;1265901 wrote: I have a customer in his early 60s. The man is so full of life! He likes to drink a lot, and he likes to have fun. You know when he walks in, you will be laughing the rest of the day. He has so much energy, he puts teenagers to shame! He was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus. They removed the bottom portion and reattached it to his stomach. He is now in a coma, pneumonia in both lungs. I hope he pulls through okay, but he has abused his body for years. He's my buddy and I am so afraid for him. :-1

he sounds like someone from Cheers who always brightens up your day.:guitarist

sounds Peg like he may not make it.:-1

prayers for your friend.

:yh_pray:yh_pray

koan · Post by **koan** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:52 am

Where I work there are three of us and we all have certain people that we handle better than others so we intercept to save each other grief.

To start with I was surprised when one of them jumped in when a lady was getting absurd, insisting that I take her money even though she hadn't completed a transaction and I couldn't get her total. I mentioned after that I could have handled it and she said "sure, but why?" :wah:

The woman knew the other lady and it worked out fine... she just did what she was told by my co-worker. We draw cartoons of them on our garbage pails later on lol.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 9:00 am

Peg;1265901 wrote: I have a customer in his early 60s. He likes to drink a lot. He was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus. They removed the bottom portion and reattached it to his stomach. He is now in a coma, pneumonia in both lungs. He has abused his body for years.

Well alrighty then.

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 6:06 am

Peg;1205599 wrote: I have a customer who comes in twice a day, every day. Seeing him every day, for 6 years, you grow fond of a person. He is now in the hospital. He will probably lose his leg. He has diabetes. He developed a sore on his foot and didn't get it checked. Gangrene set in. He kept it hid from his wife until he was so ill, he had no choice but to go to the hospital. I don't understand why he didn't go sooner, but it's too late to wonder. It's very depressing to go in and find out one of your favorites is going through such pain.
I just got a call telling me that his pain ended today at 3:40 a.m. :-1

Peg;1265901 wrote: I have a customer in his early 60s. The man is so full of life! He likes to drink a lot, and he likes to have fun. You know when he walks in, you will be laughing the rest of the day. He has so much energy, he puts teenagers to shame! He was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus. They removed the bottom portion and reattached it to his stomach. He is now in a coma, pneumonia in both lungs. I hope he pulls through okay, but he has abused his body for years. He's my buddy and I am so afraid for him. :-1

I at least got good news about him yesterday. He's not out of the woods yet, but is doing better. :-4

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 6:13 am

Peg;1271606 wrote: I just got a call telling me that his pain ended today at 3:40 a.m. :-1

I at least got good news about him yesterday. He's not out of the woods yet, but is doing better. :-4They're more than customer, i see. Lucky customers at that.

Sorry for your loss, Peg!

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:19 am

Peg;1271606 wrote: I just got a call telling me that his pain ended today at 3:40 a.m. :-1

I at least got good news about him yesterday. He's not out of the woods yet, but is doing better. :-4

ahhhhhhhhhh I'm sorry for your loss Peg, sometimes certain customers are also our friends.:-1

I'm glad to hear the other gentleman is doing better.:-6

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 7:33 am

I have a customer that needs prayers, positive thoughts, anything he can get. He is one of those people who have become more than a customer. He is a great friend. I know all I have to do is ask, and he'd do what he can to help. We always joke around. I took an empty beer bottle and filled it with water and put the lid back on. I then acted too busy to get him a glass. He took a drink. The look on his face was priceless. :yh_rotfl:o He had been to the doctor and they gave him a clean bill of health. He's been very quiet lately. The other day, they took him to the ER because his face was drooping. Everyone suspected a stroke or Bell's Palsy. The news just floored everyone. He has brain cancer and has been given 3-6 months. My FIL died from brain cancer. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy let alone someone I care about deeply. He is being transferred to a better hospital today for a second opinion. I doubt that the second opinion will differ much. :-1 Please pray, send positive thoughts, anything you all can.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 10:56 am

Peg;1282164 wrote: I have a customer that needs prayers, positive thoughts, anything he can get. He is one of those people who have become more than a customer. He is a great friend. I know all I have to do is ask, and he'd do what he can to help. We always joke around. I took an empty beer bottle and filled it with water and put the lid back on. I then acted too busy to get him a glass. He took a drink. The look on his face was priceless. :yh_rotfl:o He had been to the doctor and they gave him a clean bill of health. He's been very quiet lately. The other day, they took him to the ER because his face was drooping. Everyone suspected a stroke or Bell's Palsy. The news just floored everyone. He has brain cancer and has been given 3-6 months. My FIL died from brain cancer. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy let alone someone I care about deeply. He is being transferred to a better hospital today for a second opinion. I doubt that the second opinion will differ much. :-1 Please pray, send positive thoughts, anything you all can.

That was a cute idea with the beer bottle!:yh_rotfl

I'm deeply sorry Peg for the loss of your father-in-law.:-4

prayers and positive thoughts to your good friend!:yh_pray:yh_pray:yh_pray:yh_pray

(((((((((((hugs))))))))

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 6:35 am

Great news! Wonderful news! Fantastic news! The cancer that was supposed to kill him in 3-6 months, turned out to be an abcess. They removed it and he should be okay! As you can imagine, the family is elated. I hope they go after the doctor who put them through this unneccessary hell.

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 11:08 am

Peg;1282853 wrote: Great news! Wonderful news! Fantastic news! The cancer that was supposed to kill him in 3-6 months, turned out to be an abcess. They removed it and he should be okay! As you can imagine, the family is elated. I hope they go after the doctor who put them through this unneccessary hell.

What wonderful news! I'm sending prayers of thanks on your friends behalf. :-4

How rarely do we see our prayers answered so fast. How wonderful it is to see. :yh_hugs

Hugs to you and your friend Peg. ((((((((((hugs))))))))))

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 11:33 am

Peg;1282853 wrote: Great news! Wonderful news! Fantastic news! The cancer that was supposed to kill him in 3-6 months, turned out to be an abcess. They removed it and he should be okay! As you can imagine, the family is elated. I hope they go after the doctor who put them through this unneccessary hell.

Wonderful Peg!

maybe my prayers did help.

doctors who don't know whether its an abscess or cancer are to thoroughly check first, before announcing cancer to patients.

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 1:49 pm

Peg;1282164 wrote: He is being transferred to a better hospital today for a second opinion.

Hmmm...I know which hospital I'd use from now on.

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 3:40 pm

Rapunzel;1282942 wrote: Hmmm...I know which hospital I'd use from now on.

No doubt in my mind. The extra hour of driving was definately worth it for them.

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 5:54 pm

We lost another good guy today. That's something I'll never get used to.

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 8:18 pm

I heard sirens today. I commented, "I hate that sound". A few hours later, I come home from work and log onto facebook. There was a post from a girl saying RIP pap. That's how I found out another customer passed away. It was sudden and unexpected. It seems like with each death, I question if I still want to be there. It just breaks my heart each time.