Blogtober Day 24: I'm Not Offended

"No offense."

"I don't want to offend you."

"I hope this isn't offensive."

of.fend (uh-fend) v.
to cause resentful displeasure.

If I hear that word one more time, I will be offended.

Due to my current career choice, and due to the fact that I converse with other human beings frequently, I am painfully aware of how afraid we are of each other.  Honestly, I understand.  I'm guilty as well.  But when did it get so bad?

We are so afraid of how we are perceived by others, it becomes difficult to be yourself anymore.

There is a balance we should strive for.  Mind your manners, and be respectful, sure.  But don't be afraid to speak your mind.  Don't be afraid to voice an opinion or stand up for someone.  I am so tired of holding back simply because I am afraid of offending someone.  Because I am afraid of displeasing someone.

I am well aware that common sense has long gone out the window in the world we inhabit.  But can't we all just try?

This starts with each of us individually.  If we could stop being so judgemental and start being more open to each other's situations, we'd be happier.  I'm positive.

People are often afraid to ask me about my religious beliefs, unsure if I will be annoyed or upset.  You shouldn't be!  What reason do I have to be angry?  You are curious.  Maybe you've heard some rumours.  Maybe you've even got a belief of your own you are aching to debate in comparison to mine.  Whatever.  Most of the time, I charge forward with the belief that you are NOT trying to offend me.

I feel that should always be the assumption until proven otherwise.

Every day, we are angry and offended by complete strangers... without a dang reason.

Really, think about it!

How many times have you honked at the guy who pulled ahead of you at the drive-thru?
How many times have you looked at someone who is overweight and shaken your head?
How many times have you seen a cashier struggling on her first shift and rolled your eyes because you had to wait another 2 minutes.

Take a chill pill.

Stop being miffed and offended by the slightest inconveniences.

Gosh, I'm just over it.

This wasn't supposed to be a rant.

I just want us all to get along, dangit.

If you want to talk to me about anything, really, anything at all.  Please feel free.
I'm officially not offended.

Blogtober Day 21: Survey

I don't even remember the last time I did one of these things...

Name: Jessica
Current Location: Gilbert, Arizona
When is your birthday: March 13th
Eye Color: Green
Hair Color: Natural?  Dirty blonde.  But right now it is dark brown.
Height: About 5"3
Piercings or tattoos: Just each ear.
Single or taken: Married
Right Handed or Left Handed: Righty
Any pets: Not yet.
Your greatest strength: Probably my loyalty.
Your Weakness: Being a pushover at times.
FAVORITES
Favorite color: Orange
Favorite flower: Calla lily
5 favorite movies and one you wouldn't want anyone to find out about: Ok, top 5 are Phantom of the Opera, Count of Monte Cristo, Gladiator, Princess Bride and Sherlock Holmes.  My guilty pleasure one would probably be... High School Musical.  DON'T TELL.
Favorite holiday: New Year's Eve
Favorite physical feature on yourself: My eyes.
Your favorite pizza toppings: Green pepper, olives, pepperoni, pineapple.
Favorite guilty pleasure: When no one is home, I put on karaoke music and sing my heart out.  That's pretty bad.
Favorite place to eat a romantic dinner: Anywhere is romantic with my hubby. :)
Favorite season: Autumn
Favorite cartoon character: Rapunzel.
Your favorite food: Classic steak and baked potato dinner.
Favorite Ice cream flavor: Something with lots of brownie chunks in it.
Favorite subject(s) in school: AP American History
Favorite candy: Nerds
Favorite breakfast cereal: Reeses.  Which I know is totally weird because I hate the candy.  The cereal is awesome though.
Favorite person in your life: Hubby and son of course!
Favorite book of all time: Harry Freakin' Potter.
Favorite song: How can anyone have a favorite, honestly? 
Favorite place to be: Bookstores make me so happy.
Favorite TV show (Still running or ended): Hmm, currently pretty obsessed with Vampire Diaries.  But I adore The Office.
Your Favorite number: 17
Favorite fast food restaurant: Café Rio
What is your favorite part of your life right now: Watching my son grow.
WHICH DO YOU PREFER
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate
Alcoholic or non: Non.
Scary movies or comedies: Comedies
Short or long hair: Long
Croutons or bacon bits: Croutons
Beach or lake: Lake
Single or Group Dates: I like both.
Pepsi or Coke: Coke
Starbucks or elsewhere: Starbucks.
Dogs or cats: Dogs
DO YOU's
Do you smoke: No
Do you sing: All the time.
Do you want to get married: Check.
Do you believe in yourself: Eh, depends.
Do you get along with your parents: Yes.
Do you want children: I would love more!
Do you drink: No
Do you like to travel by plane: Fo sho!
Do you still watch cartoons on Saturday morning: Not so much.
Do you have a teddy bear: Packed away somewhere.
Do you like thunderstorms: Yes
Do you play an instrument: Yes, a few.
Do you consider yourself a party person or more apt to stay at home: I can be both.

HAVE YOU EVER
Have you ever fired a gun: Yes
Have you ever loved someone: Yes
Have you ever been caught doing something you weren't supposed to: Of course
Have you ever cried for no reason: I'm a girl.
Have you ever cut your own hair: My bangs
Have you ever skipped school: Oh yes.
Have you ever bungee jumped: Nope
Have you ever punched someone: Yes

SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE MATURE
List your top fears: Disappointing others, Scorpions, Failure
What bill do you hate paying the most: Rent.
What did you want to be when you were growing up: A writer.
What errand/chore do you despise: Dishes and floors.
A secret that you wouldn't mind everyone knowing: There are a lot of things I don't mind people knowing, but one is that I could not figure out how to snap my fingers until I was like, 14.
What do you get every time you go into a Wal-Mart: Formula usually.
What Hollywood star do you think resembles you best: I've heard some weird ones.  I used to get Jennifer Aniston a lot when I was younger.
What famous person dead or alive would you like to have dinner with: J.K Rowling.
How do you want to die: In my sleep would be fine.
What do you want to achieve in life: Lots!  But primarily happiness for my family.
Your most missed memory: Moments of my Exchange.
What goal would you like to achieve this year: I'm running out of time, but I would like to have the first chapter of my book completely past the revising phase.
Who would you like to see right now: My hubby, who is at school, but also it would be nice to see my brother, Jon.
What books are you reading: I feel like I'm always reading like, 10.  But a couple are: Inkheart (again), and How Can You Possibly Be a Mormon and a Democrat?
What are your regrets: I would relive my teenage years much differently.
What song best describes you: No idea.

SOME RANDOM QUESTIONS
Do you cheer for the bad guy: Sometimes, but only when I suspect there is a bigger story.
What do you want when you are sick: To watch old movies, Sprite, and to munch on chips and salsa.
Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth: Thanks to Euro Tour, on top of a skyscraper.
What country would you most like to visit: I'm DYING to go to Thailand.
How many pillows do you sleep with: 2

Tops of the Tens

Apparently I have good taste, or so I was told recently.  Obviously this was extremely flattering, so I decided to put out some of my "favorites" in various categories.

I might rank my favorites a little differently though.  I determine my favorites by longevity.  Kind of like the game desert island.  If I had to only listen to ten songs, read ten books, watch ten movies, have dinner with ten people, etc., these would be the ones. 

Like, I love brownie based ice creams, but I would get tired of it.  This is the stuff I could have every day and survive happily with.  I challenge you to make your own!

                                    Top Ten Books
1. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
2. The Inkheart Trilogy by Cornelia Funke
3. The Kingdom & The Crown by Gerald N. Lund
4. His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman
5. The Bartimeaus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
6. Ariana: The Trilogy by Rachel Ann Nunes
7. Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher
8. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
9. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
10. A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck

Top Ten Movies
1. The Phantom of the Opera
2. The Count of Monte Cristo
3. Gladiator
4. The Princess Bride
5. Sherlock Holmes
6. Anne (Green Gables, Avonlea, and Continuing Story)
7. The Sound of Music
8. Titanic
9. Tangled
10. Easy A

Vienna

Top Ten Places (That I've been to)
1. Budapest, Hungary
2. Gyor, Hungary

Gyor

3. London, England
4. Paris, France
5. Venice, Italy
6. Vienna, Austria
7. Prague, Czech. Rep.
                                                      8. Salzburg, Austria

Piney River Ranch

9. Piney River Ranch, Vail,CO    
10. Krakow, Poland








Top Ten Foods
1. Steak and Potatoes

Paprikas Csirke

2. Crepes w/fruit
3. Don Hilberto's Super Fries
4. Cowboy Caviar (with tortilla chips)
5. Paprikas Csirke
6. BACON (The food of champions)
7. Cereal
8. Zeppoli
9. Pecan Pie
10. Wontons (Rangoons)

                                                     Top Ten People
1. Jesus Christ
2. J.K. Rowling
3. Julie Andrews
4. Charles Dickens
5. Barbra Streisand
6. Emma Stone
7. Walt Disney
8. Taylor Swift
9. Hugh Jackman
10. Marie Antoinette

The Customer is Always Right (Not)

The world of retail is a place I never thought I would find myself.  But unfortunately, being an aspiring writer doesn't actually pay many bills... at least until I complete my dream of a bestseller... someday...

#impossibledreams

Yes, I have spent the past 3 years in various retail positions, and I have learned some universal truths about working in a customer service setting.  So get ready for some exasperated honesty.

In retail, the key point is to treat the customer as though they are always right.  The reasoning behind this, is to help the customers to feel heard and valued.  Not a bad goal.  However, this quickly makes most people entitled douches the second they enter a store.

My job in customer service is to help the customer have a good experience, and find the things they need.  Great.  I am more than happy to help.

It's just... some days...

I have created personas for the various people I any retailer comes across any given day...
You'll understand.

The Bargain Shopper
Who doesn't like a good bargain?  No shame in that!  But please, understand you can't apply 6 coupons to one item.  Also, this is not a 3rd world marketplace where you can barter a price.  I'm glad you are prepared to pay full price for that comforter.  No, that doesn't mean I will throw in a blanket free.  A missing price tag does not mean it is free.  And stop switching the sale tags to the non-sale items.  We know our merchandise.  We want you to walk out happy about the money you spent, but understand, there are deals we can't cut just because you ask.

The "Do You Know How Important I Am?"
I'm so glad you have confidence.  However, it does not mean I will come to your house and assemble that desk.  I have a life outside of this store, if you'd believe it.  Stop talking on your phone while I check you out at the register.  It is so rude.  Being you doesn't qualify you for 50% off.  Hold up the line for 5 minutes while you nonchalantly fish in your purse/pockets for your credit card?  Why not...

The Night Shopper
I can't believe I even have to talk about this, but going to shop in a store 5 minutes before it closes is a JERK move.  You have another time this week to shop, I guarantee it.  Holding up 10 employees so you can browse for 45 minutes and load up your cart is completely obtuse.  GO HOME.

The Return-a-holic
Every time you shop, you inevitably return half of it the next day.  Here's a thought: decide what you need before you purchase!  It doesn't help that every time you return, you swear we aren't giving you all your money back.  It's right there on the receipt if you don't believe me.  Get a manager?  Sure.  They'll tell you the same thing I spent the last 10 minutes going over with you.  It's a time waster for us both!

The Parents With Reckless Children
I am a mother, so I understand it is hard to predict when your children will decide to be unruly in public.  There have to be limits and consequences though, and they need to be enforced.  An apologetic look after your kids topple the display I worked an hour on doesn't make it better.  If your kids can't handle themselves in a store for 15 minutes, don't bring them in.  We have a busy day, and it's really hard to get our stuff done, and clean up the merchandise your offspring just destroyed.

The One Who Touches Everything
It takes a lot to keep a store looking neat, well stocked, and organized.  It is a lot harder when you feel the need to pick up every item you see without putting it back the way you found it.  You wouldn't make a mess like that at home (at least I hope not), would you?  Just because you are not the one cleaning it up doesn't mean it is OK to create chaos in your wake.  Also, this is usually the one that never puts their cart away, consequently making us traverse an inferno-like parking lot to retrieve it.

The Lonely Talker
There's always that one person who wants to tell their life story while you check them out.  We don't mind being social.  In fact, it is a relief sometimes to have a nice conversation with a customer.  Please understand that we do have to get on with our day, and don't mean to snub you as we usher the next guest in line.  We can't pause our day.

The Critic/Comparison Shopper
Retail is demanding on a lot of levels.  It is a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment that works on a lot of levels.  We are sorry our store doesn't carry the same shelf as this store.  Did Amy at Wal-Mart cut you a better deal?  Great.  Shop there.  Honestly, we will do our best to help you.  Just know that attacking our establishment won't get your much farther.

My point is, please be nice to those cashiers.  Be polite to that associate.  Practice some patience while we locate that item.  We are happy to help.  It's just easier when you aren't a nightmare to deal with.