How'd you like a pie in the face?

[JoyeAustin]

Hi. Today you ordered a cake from me in the bakery, and there are a couple of things I feel we need to discuss.

First of all, (you don't know this of course) but I am a wee bit hard of hearing. Yes, it's true; not only old people go deaf, and not all deaf people have huge honkin' hearing aids to alert able-eared folks that they need to bellow at the tops of their lungs. I am extremely sorry to have inconvenienced you a few times while you placed your order by politely asking you to repeat yourself. I could tell by your snotty tone that you didn't appreciate such a request. And like most people, you were too self-absorbed to realize it would help a lot for you to speak more clearly.

I used to work in the deli and once in a while I would get a person's order wrong--you know, slice too much, not enough, or even sometimes the completely wrong thing entirely! I know, what a hoot! And I appreciated every nasty, rude comment made to me about it! God, I do so enjoy customer service.

Now, the second thing we should talk about, my dear. When I asked you what color the cake's borders should be, I'm again sorry to have inconvenienced you. Since you were obviously getting so pissy about having to make a decision, I tried to help by asking, "Is the cake for a boy or girl?"

Your reply, "It's for a GIRL!" damn near made me bust out laughing at you.

You see, I'm not quite as stupid as you think I am. I know you already gave me the child's name but--news flash, toots--Brooklyn is not a name that tells me instantly what gender the unlucky kid is. It tells me you named your spawn after a metropolitan suburb, that's it. I know you had your doubts as to my intelligence already because of all the repeating you had to do, and this just nailed it for you--I'm a idiot! DUH! Couldn't I TELL that BROOKLYN is a GIRL'S name?

Er... not so much.

Anyway, because I need to keep my job, I can't tell you and all the other little bitches who come into our store to go to hell... but I'd like to. I'm going deaf but I'm still insanely smarter than you are, most customers are jerks and Brooklyn is a dumb name.

So there.

[MemaSu]

Jun. 18, 2009 at 10:05 PM

Oh yeah- customers are so much fun! Not! This is just proof that my daughter is a brave & stalwart person who slaves for the ingrates making Cake! ( Let them eat bread? nah, I'm sure it was cake....)

[Gaia_Rain]

Jun. 18, 2009 at 10:05 PM

I ♥ you.  After I came home from Maine, I would be talking to Bill and he would say, "Stop it."  Apparently, I spent three days speaking V-E-R-Y C-L-E-A-R-L-Y and S-L-O-W-L-Y to him.  I had to explain that I had just spent 4 days with three women with a hearing loss...I still love when I told you the coffee pot leaked, and you said, "Okay!" and then proceeded to spill it all over, and THEN realize what I had just said to you.   

[DestMasters]

Jun. 18, 2009 at 10:22 PM

Oh Joye......I so agree....most customers are jerks.  It seems to be getting worse too.  People won't take time to BREATHE let alone just be friendly.  If it's so bad, they should stay the hell home.

♥

[judybant]

Jun. 18, 2009 at 10:23 PM

I've been on that side of the counter, and while I do not "technically" have hearing loss, I DO have only about 30% of my hearing in my right ear. But as long as I can lean in, so you speak into my left ear, I can usually make out what you're saying. I have more of a "oh crap, I really couldn't care less about what you're saying problem, excuse me while I daydream about a month on Maui for a moment" problem. I can't tell you how many times I've just completely zoned out while someone was prattling on about whatever, and managing to reel myself back in JUST before my mental absence became VERY apparent to whomever was rambling on to me at the moment. I finally put a poster up behind my head stating, "Please speak coherently. My Give-a-damn's busted". Luckily for me, only the really dumb ones were unaware that I wasn't joking.

[mars33me]

Jun. 18, 2009 at 10:26 PM

Insanely smarter, does that exist?  Is that like an oxymoron?  Like Jumbo Shrimp?  Doesn't one cancel out the other, wait, never mind.  You Joye Austin, are without a doubt smarter than that stupid bitch who named her child Brooklyn and was rude to you today... I would beat her up if I could and spit on her cake...

[takethetime]

Jun. 18, 2009 at 10:42 PM

That lady can't even bake her daughters cake she has to have somebody else do it for her, lazy yuppie!

[used2chaos]

Jun. 18, 2009 at 10:46 PM

The public = stupid.

I was a barber for 10 long years, it made me hate most of the population.

[HistoryMamaX3]

Jun. 18, 2009 at 10:58 PM

I worked at a deli for a while too, Joyefull... worst. job. ever.

People are asses and make no bones about showing it. (((Hugs))) At least she gave you great fodder! :0)

[ToddlerBrain82]

Jun. 18, 2009 at 10:58 PM

You make me laugh. I love you :) Can I help put the pie in their face?

[gammasally]

Jun. 18, 2009 at 10:59 PM

I'm sorry that you had to deal with such a rude customer. I too "served" the public for many  years when I was young. (waitress, cashier etc.).  I loved that part when she screamed at you, "It a GIRL!" and you almost busted out laughing at her! I wish you could have. I would have LOVED to see the expression her face when she realized that  she was taking herself WAY too seriously! Hang in there and thank God for the occasional meeting of a friendly and thoughtful customer. They are out there too, but far and few between.