Monday, August 2, 2010

Rodents of Unusual Size? I don't think they exist.

Remember the talkative lady I mentioned a few posts ago? The one whose presence at my place of work I was downright dreading? Well, it has been almost two weeks, and she has yet to show. (If you hear incessant, frenzied knocking in the distance, it’s just me rapping on every piece of wood in my apartment in hopes that I haven’t just jinxed myself.) It’s a definite possibility that she came in on one of my days off, or even found another store that had lower prices or catered better to her needs, but chances are she’s still out there.

And it’s making me better at my job.

When the idea that my fear of her coming in to the store was making me more knowledgeable about the store’s products and services, I was reminded of The Princess Bride. As Westley and Buttercup are trudging through the Fire Swamp, he tells her about his experience working on a ship with the Dread Pirate Roberts. He mentions that every evening, Roberts would say to Westley that he would most likely kill him in the morning, but each day he found himself alive, so he would try to learn any fighting techniques anyone would teach him to try to defend against Roberts if he ever made good on his threats. Roberts never tried to kill Westley, but after three years of preparing for the worst, Westley was ready to take on anyone.

Yes, this has been a long-winded explanation of a simple concept, but I feel the illustration is necessary. Because I don’t want to be caught off guard when that lady finally comes in, I’ve been gathering all the information I can to prepare myself. Even if she never shows up, I’m now in better shape to do my job than ever.

11 comments:

Betty Manousos said...

Hello from Tuesday Tag Along!
Interesting blog you've got here!
Thank you. I am now following you back!
Have a great day!
B

Twee Poppets said...

I love it! I lawled at the part about knocking on wood. :)

Monique said...

Hi! Thanks for following me from TTA! Right back at ya ;) Monique xx
http://originalmischief.blogspot.com

Marianne Pysh said...

Hello! I'm a new follower from the Tuesday Tag-Along!

I too work in a store, and there are customers that I just dread dealing with... I had one a couple of months ago that I couldn't wait to get rid of. Glad to know that I'm not the only one who has these feelings!

Lucy's Human
http://lucyshuman.blogspot.com/

Evelyn M Leon said...

I knew by the title that you were going to reference the fire swamp. The Princess Bride is one of my all time fave movies.
New email follower from TTA

Evelyn@http://adventureofsuperspice.com

Unknown said...

Oh no! She sounds positively dreadful! I hope she never comes in!

Amanda Tempel said...

Hey there! I'm a new follower from TTA! I hope you'll take a second and follow me too! :)

-Amanda T
http://mylifewithratsandmore.blogspot.com

My Gorgeous Pink Cheeks said...

Hi, I'm your newest follower. Hope you can follow me back :)

http://mygorgeouspinkcheeks.blogspot.com

Sandman Moon said...

Ha ha! I LOVE the Princess Bride analogy! I've been in situations like that. Like with Bi Laoshi, the third year Chinese teacher at UW. I memorized my vocab words so well every week, because I really thought she was going to kill me! Ha ha!

Minima Sapala said...

I've worked at startups as an exec assistant for over three years now and I think that's why I like them so much. I never know what's going to be thrown my way so I try to prepare for everything. I've learned a ton of shit I never would have even thought to be interested in before!

Santa's Gift Shoppe and Ideas said...

Hi..I’m Barb….I am from TTA. I am your newest follower. I hope you will get a chance to visit my blog @ santasgiftshoppe.blogspot.com & get inspired by something for your family/home. I hope you will follow me as well. I also would love for you to be a new Fan of my Facebook page too & click “LIKE” in the upper right hand corner of my blog & you’ve done it..Thanks so much! I am just starting at Facebook. Nice to meet ya new friend!!!