Comments on: The Meddler, I http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/ Sun, 06 Jul 2008 05:41:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Clifford http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-50537 Clifford Fri, 01 Jun 2007 22:44:39 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-50537 Thanks... but I don't agree that this is an entirely analogous situation (in the aspects that count). First, you're pouring the coffee right under their noses next to the checkout... and second, we're talking about 10c here... and third, this is not entirely a commercial business for its own sake, this is a service department of a huge university... and fourth, as I've said before you should not run a business in a way that assumes that your customers are stealing from you. If you are worried about them mis-measuring the coffee, simply pour the coffee yourself and hand it to them (I hate that business of just giving you the cup to do it yourself anyway.... really annoying, but I accept it.) Cheers! -cvj Thanks… but I don’t agree that this is an entirely analogous situation (in the aspects that count). First, you’re pouring the coffee right under their noses next to the checkout… and second, we’re talking about 10c here… and third, this is not entirely a commercial business for its own sake, this is a service department of a huge university… and fourth, as I’ve said before you should not run a business in a way that assumes that your customers are stealing from you. If you are worried about them mis-measuring the coffee, simply pour the coffee yourself and hand it to them (I hate that business of just giving you the cup to do it yourself anyway…. really annoying, but I accept it.)

Cheers!

-cvj

]]> By: anonymous snowboarder http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-50534 anonymous snowboarder Fri, 01 Jun 2007 22:12:58 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-50534 As a regular at a local (east coast) bagel shop for quite a few years I can toss this out to you: 1) working the counter at these types of places is a thankless job. Try paying attention to the way people order/re-order/change their minds for a few weeks. And then these same people get really irate if the person serving them "screwed up" their order! 2) these people don't make a lot and generally are treated poorly. I know I'm a bit of a whacko but every year I get a dozen of the really small bottles of champagne(ish) stuff for the counter crew at new years. Tipping is not always practical but even just learning the names of the people serving you if you are a regular is a nice touch. 3) in regards the small/medium cup thing. while you are certainly well intentioned and an honest person - many people are not. I have watched people who drive very expensive cards take sodas from the cooler, put them on a table with their jackets, go to the counter to order food and never mention or pay for the sodas. The store owner knows this happens and has a difficult situation - accuse them of theft or just being forgetful? Needless to say he tries to keep track of who he has caught pulling this stunt. So while I do sympathize with your (and others) points, the reaction on the other side can also be a result of us buyers too. As a regular at a local (east coast) bagel shop for quite a few years I can toss this out to you:

1) working the counter at these types of places is a thankless job. Try paying attention to the way people order/re-order/change their minds for a few weeks. And then these same people get really irate if the person serving them “screwed up” their order!

2) these people don’t make a lot and generally are treated poorly. I know I’m a bit of a whacko but every year I get a dozen of the really small bottles of champagne(ish) stuff for the counter crew at new years. Tipping is not always practical but even just learning the names of the people serving you if you are a regular is a nice touch.

3) in regards the small/medium cup thing. while you are certainly well intentioned and an honest person - many people are not. I have watched people who drive very expensive cards take sodas from the cooler, put them on a table with their jackets, go to the counter to order food and never mention or pay for the sodas. The store owner knows this happens and has a difficult situation - accuse them of theft or just being forgetful? Needless to say he tries to keep track of who he has caught pulling this stunt.

So while I do sympathize with your (and others) points, the reaction on the other side can also be a result of us buyers too.

]]> By: Clifford http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49879 Clifford Wed, 30 May 2007 15:07:18 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49879 That's brilliant!! ...I'd not heard that one, but it makes perfect sense.... Thanks, -cvj That’s brilliant!! …I’d not heard that one, but it makes perfect sense….

Thanks,

-cvj

]]> By: Gordon Pasha http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49876 Gordon Pasha Wed, 30 May 2007 14:56:07 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49876 Clifford, remember the variant of Murphy's law that goes "Never argue with a fool, people may not know who's who" Gordon Clifford,

remember the variant of Murphy’s law that goes “Never argue with a fool,
people may not know who’s who”

Gordon

]]> By: The Meddler, II - Asymptotia http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49722 The Meddler, II - Asymptotia Wed, 30 May 2007 07:28:56 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49722 [...] [Continuing an earlier post…which you’ll need to read to understand this one. Link here.] [...] [...] [Continuing an earlier post…which you’ll need to read to understand this one. Link here.] [...]

]]> By: Clifford http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49635 Clifford Tue, 29 May 2007 23:11:51 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49635 Candace... the English would say that I've "gone native". Preparing follow-up post right now... -cvj Candace… the English would say that I’ve “gone native”.

Preparing follow-up post right now…

-cvj

]]> By: candace http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49632 candace Tue, 29 May 2007 22:49:16 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49632 My goodness, I remember that cup. I confess that I am a very confrontational person by nature -- half of the time to my detriment and half of the time I get things accomplished because of it. Still, I am trying more and more to keep my fists of rage and fury under control at all times. But you know what? I would be fucked off about this, too. And I have to say (hem hem) I am actually quite impressed that you were so confrontational about it since the usual limp Eenglish reaction is to tsk, mumble an apology, and slink away in no particular order. Sometimes being a jerk is justified: the customer is in no way always right, but in this case I think you were. I look forward to seeing a creative solution! Justice will prevail! My goodness, I remember that cup.

I confess that I am a very confrontational person by nature — half of the time to my detriment and half of the time I get things accomplished because of it. Still, I am trying more and more to keep my fists of rage and fury under control at all times.

But you know what? I would be fucked off about this, too. And I have to say (hem hem) I am actually quite impressed that you were so confrontational about it since the usual limp Eenglish reaction is to tsk, mumble an apology, and slink away in no particular order. Sometimes being a jerk is justified: the customer is in no way always right, but in this case I think you were.

I look forward to seeing a creative solution! Justice will prevail!

]]> By: Carl Brannen http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49626 Carl Brannen Tue, 29 May 2007 21:57:06 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49626 I have a certain amount of sympathy to the people who find themselves working in fast food and coffee joints, so I've been able to keep myself calm when talking to them. I would just pay the extra 10 cents. But it's not that I (or anyone else) never gets pissed off. I'd tell more but I'm too ashamed. Being a good apologizer is a good thing. As it turns out I also am avoiding Barnes and Noble, but because of their program where you have to pay for a card to get a discount. I get free discount cards at the supermarket and I will Roast in Hell before I either (a) pay for a card that gives a company monopoly rights to my (voluminous) book purchases or (b) pay more for books than other people at such a store. Fortunately, I managed to make this point calmly to the poor folks who have to work at that nasty place. I have a certain amount of sympathy to the people who find themselves working in fast food and coffee joints, so I’ve been able to keep myself calm when talking to them. I would just pay the extra 10 cents. But it’s not that I (or anyone else) never gets pissed off. I’d tell more but I’m too ashamed. Being a good apologizer is a good thing.

As it turns out I also am avoiding Barnes and Noble, but because of their program where you have to pay for a card to get a discount. I get free discount cards at the supermarket and I will Roast in Hell before I either (a) pay for a card that gives a company monopoly rights to my (voluminous) book purchases or (b) pay more for books than other people at such a store. Fortunately, I managed to make this point calmly to the poor folks who have to work at that nasty place.

]]> By: Francis Caestecker http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49618 Francis Caestecker Tue, 29 May 2007 21:26:35 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49618 Oh, I hate how these big multi-nationals don't respect customer-service at all. Not so long ago, I was walking into a fastfood restaurant, and after standing in line for quite some time, I ordered some menu "to go". The lady came back, and put it on the plateau. I repeated: "Excuse me, but it's to go, please." She looked at me, as if I was some stupid young punk: "Hey, you could have said that in advance!" I was really pissed then, especially since I said it in advance, and if I didn't, she still didn't have the right to treat me that way. We have a saying in Belgium: the client is king. I feel like this get's disrespected more and more, especially in fastfood restaurants. I'm not expecting to get pampered, but rudeness crosses the line. However, I told her I said it in advance, and she apologized. Francis. Oh, I hate how these big multi-nationals don’t respect customer-service at all. Not so long ago, I was walking into a fastfood restaurant, and after standing in line for quite some time, I ordered some menu “to go”. The lady came back, and put it on the plateau. I repeated: “Excuse me, but it’s to go, please.” She looked at me, as if I was some stupid young punk: “Hey, you could have said that in advance!” I was really pissed then, especially since I said it in advance, and if I didn’t, she still didn’t have the right to treat me that way. We have a saying in Belgium: the client is king. I feel like this get’s disrespected more and more, especially in fastfood restaurants. I’m not expecting to get pampered, but rudeness crosses the line. However, I told her I said it in advance, and she apologized.

Francis.

]]> By: Jude http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49617 Jude Tue, 29 May 2007 21:26:34 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49617 One of the only times I went to McDonald's (I'm a vegetarian, so it's not a place I frequent), they handed me the food in a bag, even though I was eating in the restaurant. I complained. They explained that all food was delivered that way. I'm disheartened lately by watching people I used to feel neutral about (or respect) throw away aluminum cans, which in my town can be donated to benefit senior citizens. I'll never shop at Barnes & Noble again because the clerk refused to give me the educator's discount because I'm a librarian, not a classroom teacher. So yes, Clifford, this was a small thing, but the principle (basic customer service) isn't. One of the only times I went to McDonald’s (I’m a vegetarian, so it’s not a place I frequent), they handed me the food in a bag, even though I was eating in the restaurant. I complained. They explained that all food was delivered that way.

I’m disheartened lately by watching people I used to feel neutral about (or respect) throw away aluminum cans, which in my town can be donated to benefit senior citizens.

I’ll never shop at Barnes & Noble again because the clerk refused to give me the educator’s discount because I’m a librarian, not a classroom teacher.

So yes, Clifford, this was a small thing, but the principle (basic customer service) isn’t.

]]> By: Clifford http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49604 Clifford Tue, 29 May 2007 20:19:16 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49604 Yes, Moshe! Thanks. This is my central point. We can do better. I can just sit back and accept the status quo, or I can try to help to change it. I chose the latter. See the next post on this. Cheers, -cvj Yes, Moshe! Thanks. This is my central point. We can do better. I can just sit back and accept the status quo, or I can try to help to change it. I chose the latter. See the next post on this.

Cheers,

-cvj

]]> By: Moshe http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49599 Moshe Tue, 29 May 2007 20:15:19 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49599 At UBC they have a measuring cup they'll use to pour whatever size coffee into whichever cup you are using. They also charge 10 cents less if you bring your own cup, and they sell those nice reusable cups that look a lot like the one in the picture. So, where there is a will there's a way... At UBC they have a measuring cup they’ll use to pour whatever size coffee into whichever cup you are using. They also charge 10 cents less if you bring your own cup, and they sell those nice reusable cups that look a lot like the one in the picture. So, where there is a will there’s a way…

]]> By: ruidh http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49590 ruidh Tue, 29 May 2007 19:23:23 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/05/29/the-meddler-i/#comment-49590 I would have just taken their cup and poured it into my larger cup. Yes, I know it needlessly wastes a paper cup. But that is a small price to pay to avoid idiocy. I would have just taken their cup and poured it into my larger cup. Yes, I know it needlessly wastes a paper cup. But that is a small price to pay to avoid idiocy.

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