This has given me more time for writing - especially because I have much less money to go out with. It's also brought me a new appreciation for the bizarre interactions that happen in customer service. Thus, I present to you the first in an occasional Fool's Compass series: Real-life Job Conversations.
Today's RLJC takes place in a Raley's supermarket in Placerville, CA. I was distributing free scoops of Ciao Bella chocolate hazelnut gelato when an elderly woman approached my table...
Woman: [stares at the samples on my table] What is it?
Me: It's Ciao Bella gelato. This is the chocolate hazelnut flavor.
Woman: But what is it?
Me: It's gelato. It's like Italian ice cream.
Woman: But what is it?
Me: Ice cream. It's just ice cream.
Woman: What do you do with it?
Me: What do you do with ice cream? Well, it's a dessert. You know, ice cream?
Woman: But what is it?
Me: It's ice cream. It's... um, a frozen dessert. It's sweet.
Woman: But what...
Me: [interrupting] Do you want to try it?
Woman: OK. [takes a bite] Eww! It's cold!
Me: Um, I think it's time for my break now, so ... yeah.
common interaction at my retail job:
ReplyDeletewoman eyeing clothing product: excuse me, can you help me with something?
me: of course, what can i do for you?
woman, now picking up scarf/blouse/candle/book: it's my sisters birthday, do you think she would like this as a gift?
of course i would know what your sister, that you have known for an average of 27 years, and i have never met, likes. my retail experience has developed such a sense of salesmanship that i have the ability to know what people do or do not like WITHOUT EVEN HAVING MET THEM! i should probably do something more useful with this talent...or just sell you a $48 dollar scarf.