It's 02:21 and I'm sitting in bed blogging. It's honestly the only time I'm motivated to blog. I thought I was tired an hour ago but I guess... not anymore.
I was supposed to blog about my day out with Sue on Monday but I have been procrastinating with transferring the photos onto my laptop... so maybe another day.
I wasn't planning on blogging about what happened today because I really wanted to forget about the whole situation but I was listening to Ladies Who Lunch (podcast), made by one of my favourite Youtubers Ingrid Nilsen and her friend, who is also a Youtuber, Cat Valdes, and was inspired, and I basically just want to get this off my chest. This is how I am, I need someone who I can just rant to about annoying things that happen in my life so that I can get it out of my brain and stop thinking about it. Normally, this someone would be my flatmate, Nia, but she's away for a few days and I have no one else to talk to.
Therefore I'm turning to my blog....
I have grown to be a person that tries not to complain about stuff. I can say that I have quite a high tolerance/endurance level when it comes to anger. People who know me would know I rarely ever get angry, none of friends have probably seen me shout (in anger) before. It mostly only happens around my family because my brothers annoy the hell out of me.
But yeah.... I don't really get angry over small things or things other people do that I can't control, or at least I don't show it out to people, because I always think it's not worth wasting your energy over things like that. However, everyone has their limits and my limit is quite high. And today, there was a customer who really crossed the line.
If you are a fellow sales assistant or have been one yourself, you would understand and relate to this.... and that is, you try your hardest not to let those few annoying customers get to you, because if you do, it really ruins your day and it affects your attitude towards others for the rest of the day. And when your job is to be smiley and nice to people, you can't afford that to happen.
So today, as usual, I went to work, and did what manager asked me to. I was happy to see my colleagues and to chat with them while we were hard at work. And because there was no one in the Shoes department, I had to go help out. There was this family who I approached... the dad said something along the lines of, "Hi, do you have this pair of shoes? I contacted your call centre and they said you have them." To which I responded immediately with, "Sorry, we do not have any left as they are all out of stock." Without any hesitation he replied, "And you know that at the top of your head?" I was like, "........ yeah..... We don't have any left." In my brain I was thinking, I've been working here for almost 2 years and I work 4 days a week, of course I know my stock. But of course, he wasn't aware of that, so I try not to be annoyed by his attitude. My colleague Sarah was with me at that moment, so she reaffirmed the customer that it is true that we do not have those shoes.
He looked annoyed and tried to argue that he called the call centre and they said we had them so why are we saying we don't have them... and was like, are you sure you don't have them???? So in order to calm him down, both Sarah and I went into the stock room to check if we have those shoes. And as we knew it, we didn't. So I dreaded the moment where I had to announce the bad news to them that we are really out of stock. But this happens on an everyday-basis, I'm used to it anyway. I approached them with the bad news and suggested they buy it online. To which the dad said, "Oh I know you have them online." So I was like, "...... okay, so I can help you order them if you want." Sarah helped me explain to them their delivery options and everything. Although he still wasn't really happy, he decided to go with it. But then he started arguing with his son and wife about how he wanted to Click and Collect and that it's a wiser choice than to deliver to home and I felt really bad for his wife to have a husband that treats you so rudely in public.
Anyway, I placed the order and when I asked for his card details, he asked if he could pay by cash... which always annoys me as I don't understand how people aren't aware that when you're making an "online" order (like when you're doing it at home), it's not possible to pay by cash. But we normally offer to put cash onto a gift card and use that to place the order. So I said, "Uhm.... we can, but we would have to head to the main tills as we don't take cash at this till." I know customers would feel annoyed when I say that, and I would prefer not to do that either, but that's just how it is at our branch.
Being the person he is, once again, he wasn't pleased but his wife offered to use her card, so I was like, "Great! Okay!" And he was like, "Oh yeah, we'll use her card." He didn't seem that annoyed anymore, which I was obviously glad about. I then quickly finished placing the order so that I can get rid of him asap. However.... when I printed his receipt out, there was one page missing (it was either the printer or the computer acting up). I knew there it was missing, but I gave it to him anyway. Because I didn't want to have to deal with him anymore. But he realised that his payment details was not on the receipt (which is supposed to appear on that missing page). At that point, I already closed the page which we made the order on and couldn't retrieve his receipt any longer.... So I suggested he check his email because there'll be an digital copy of it there. Before even checking, he was like, "This is unacceptable! I want to have a receipt with my payment details on it. Can you not print it out again?!" I was like, "I'm sorry but there must have been something wrong with the printer, and I don't think I can retrieve that receipt anymore." In that moment, I was scared because he was getting agitated and I couldn't think of any way to help him. At the same time, I was annoyed and borderline angry because he was rude and unreasonable.
"I want to speak to a manager, " was what he said next. And as a sales assistant, that is the one thing I hate to hear most. Like why can't customers believe that what I just told them is the truth and that there is nothing else my manager can do about the situation, she's just going to come over to say the same fucking thing. I just couldn't deal with him anymore at that point, so I walked away to go to the nearest phone so that I could call my manager over to deal with him because I didn't want to have anything to do with this anymore. I couldn't get hold of a manager so Sarah went to help me out because she knew he was a difficult customer and I was stressed out about it. Sarah later told me that, when she was trying to help him out, he apparently said that I was lazy and it seemed like I didn't want to help him. And that, he knew I probably had a long day but I shouldn't be acting that way and that he wanted to talk to the head of branch about it. At the point when she told me that(which was after the customer left), I couldn't care less about him anymore. However, Sarah did stand up for me and defended me, which she always does and I'm always grateful for.
I was at the main tills, which is where the phone is, hoping that Sarah could help me solve the problem. But they then came walking towards me and I was like, damn it, WHY?!
He was still going on and on about the missing payment details because it made the receipt seem very misleading and that it looked like he didn't pay for the item (which I understand), although Sarah told him repeatedly that it's not that important. She said they checked his email and it didn't mention his payment details there either. And he kept blaming me that for not being able to print out that page and I was furious at that point and I decided to stand up for myself and said, "It's not my fault that it didn't print out, I can't control the printer." To which he stared at me for 2 seconds and then only said, "I know, I'm not blaming you. I just really think it's unacceptable. I expect so much more from you guys and this makes me not want to shop here anymore." Sarah immediately said, "Really?!" He was like, "Yeah, this is not what I expect from your store." These people have obviously not shopped online before and do not understand the mechanisms of it and I know we need to care for every customer but I think we can afford to let this one go.
He was still very persistent about it and so we offered to help him call customer services to see what else we can do to help him with his stupid problem. I made the call, luckily they picked up really quickly and I explained the whole situation and he guy on the line told me to track the customer's order and we'll be able to see his payment details there. I did so and it worked. Problem-solved. I printed the page out and tried to put on a smile while I gave it to the customer. He finally seemed pleased and I although was furious, was glad that everything worked out and we didn't need the managers' help. I guess I learned something new about tracking the customer's order thing. However, before he left, he asked for my name. He reassured me he just needed it in case anything goes wrong with the order and that he's not going to report me to anyone. Well, I gladly gave him my name because I know that I did not do anything wrong. After he left, Sarah was like, "If he ever comes back, you're going to avoid him aren't you?" hahahahaha "Of course. I'll run as far as I can."
Like I mentioned before, I don't get angry easily. Nia has commented on me being very calm (which I don't believe but I guess if she says so). I guess today I've learned where my limits are and that is, when you blatantly blame me for something I didn't do, I will fight back. I am a very nice person and I always believe that there's no point fighting fire with fire. I understand customers can be annoyed with the services we provide sometimes and they can be very unreasonable, but when they're trying to shout in your face, you need to react with kindness and understanding. I've done it before, and it always works. However, everyone has their limits and as human beings, you should be smart enough not to cross those lines because you will just cause yourself trouble. But I guess some people are just plain stupid.
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Deep Meaningful Conversations
Hi, I'm back after 5 months.... Where have I been, you ask? Well... I've been too busy keeping up with the present busy life of mine to look back and reflect and blog about my life...
I've been wanting to sit and blog but every time I set my mind to do it, I get distracted by other things like Youtube videos or some other drama series... and I feel bad for abandoning this precious place of mine for so long. I haven't been that active on social media either, so it'll take me some time to update you guys on how my boring life has been. A lot of has happened and I actually have some photos to share, but that might have to wait because it's 2.20am now. Right now I just have one of those weird sixth sense feeling and don't want to sleep....
I came back from work just now at 9pm just like any other day and I wasn't hungry so I just took a shower and decided to chill for the rest of the night. But before I could make a cup of tea and open my laptop, Nia came into my mine room with this weird expression on her face. (And yes, since the last time I updated this blog, I have moved out of Nia's room and into my own room!) She was like, "There's something I want to tell you." And I know her well enough to know that something bad has happened. So I was like, "WHAT DID YOU DO?" Then she told me something that made her feel a bit down... and that small thing led to a long, deep and meaningful conversation.
Since I moved out of her room, the both of us has been busy with our own routines that we rarely have time to talk to each other despite us living under the same roof. We never really have a meal together anymore... which is sad because we are both worried that our time together is getting shorter and shorter. This relates to what our conversation was about just now... our future. What do we want to do? What is going to happen? Where will we be? What's the plan? We still feel lost.... with no solid plans.
The both of us dread going home... because we have gotten too attached to our lives here, yet... a part of us feel like we don't belong here. It is very challenging to stay too (for many obvious reasons). One of the obvious options for us to stay is to further our studies with a Masters degree. But we ask ourselves, is that really what we want? We didn't need to contemplate for long to know that the answer is no. We've had enough; we both know ourselves well enough to know that we don't like studying and only got so far in our studies due to our parents' plans for us. We would never want to disappoint our parents but they need to understand that studying is just not for us. For me, I'm thinking... is that ~£18000 worth it to get a Masters? How much of a difference would that make for my chances of finding a job here in the UK? Just so you know, that's the ultimate plan... to find a graduate job and start building my career here. That'll be the ideal situation for me.... but it seems so far-fetched.
The following few months are just going to be stressful for the both of us.... and I'm dreading it. Assignments... exams... graduation... But there are also things to look forward to. One being my mum's visit for my graduation in July. We'll be going travelling and get to spend some quality time together after 3 years. I do miss her. Nia and I were both sharing about the choices we had to make throughout our student-life that got us here to where we are today. And I joked about how all my wrong choices led me to her today kekeke. I was wondering and explaining to her that what if... I chose to be rebellious and insisted that I went to Foon Yew High instead of Molek... or what if I went to Convent instead? What if I was strong-minded enough and stayed with my choice of going to the Perdagangan class instead of the Science class? Maybe I would have gotten better results... because I hated studying all those science subjects. What if... i followed my mum's suggestion and studied something related to fashion instead of sticking to a safer choice of studying business... which I thought would lead to me a clear career path. And yet, here I am, 3 years after I've chose to sign myself up to this course that I didn't fully enjoy. I told Nia how I love going to work... and how I was more than willing to do a 12-hour shift from 8am to 8pm (two days in a row) than wake up for a 11am lecture. I don't want to say that I'm lazy... it's just that I'm not motivated at all to study. Nia is the same. She skips her lectures and is not whole-heartedly committed to her studies, not because she's lazy but she just doesn't see the benefit of it. And she's smart and responsible and one of the most efficient people I've met. I believe she can be excellent in any job thrown at her but when it comes to her studies.... she just does it to get over it.
It's sad to think how we sacrificed what we really wanted in life in order to not let the people we care about down... I'm thankful my mum and my uncle don't give me as much pressure as her parents do. She's more stressed out about her future than I am despite her being the calmer one between the two of us in any situation. But I truly have faith in her and believe that everything will work out somehow for us. She's smart and capable and I trust that she'll fight for what she wants in life. I was talking to my manager the other day and telling her how I didn't cry when I said goodbye to my family at the airport when I left home, mainly because I was so excited to leave for this new adventure. But I would with no doubt at all cry when I need to leave this wonderful place and leave my friends here. However, this moment reminds me of the time I was blogging before I left home 3 years ago. That period of time was so stressful too... I couldn't sleep, I had no appetite....
Anyway, our conversation had to end at 11.30pm because Nia had to sleep coz she has to work tmr morning. And I went on to watch Running Man and eat my supper. As she was leaving my room, she said she will be back to talk more which I replied with a, "Please do. I enjoy your presence." We both need each other's support and... just a listening ear to hear our worries....
Tomorrow I'll be going shopping with my friend Kar Kai~ I haven't had a girls' day out for a really long time and I can't wait to go to H&M. It's these small things that bring joy to my life. After that, I'll be joining my colleagues from work for a leaving do for one of my managers, which I hope will be fun. I have really been enjoying going to work... and I'm dreading having to leave them one day.... I love my life here and it'll be very sad if I had to leave it behind one day.... but who knows where life will lead to me to....
I've been wanting to sit and blog but every time I set my mind to do it, I get distracted by other things like Youtube videos or some other drama series... and I feel bad for abandoning this precious place of mine for so long. I haven't been that active on social media either, so it'll take me some time to update you guys on how my boring life has been. A lot of has happened and I actually have some photos to share, but that might have to wait because it's 2.20am now. Right now I just have one of those weird sixth sense feeling and don't want to sleep....
I came back from work just now at 9pm just like any other day and I wasn't hungry so I just took a shower and decided to chill for the rest of the night. But before I could make a cup of tea and open my laptop, Nia came into my mine room with this weird expression on her face. (And yes, since the last time I updated this blog, I have moved out of Nia's room and into my own room!) She was like, "There's something I want to tell you." And I know her well enough to know that something bad has happened. So I was like, "WHAT DID YOU DO?" Then she told me something that made her feel a bit down... and that small thing led to a long, deep and meaningful conversation.
Since I moved out of her room, the both of us has been busy with our own routines that we rarely have time to talk to each other despite us living under the same roof. We never really have a meal together anymore... which is sad because we are both worried that our time together is getting shorter and shorter. This relates to what our conversation was about just now... our future. What do we want to do? What is going to happen? Where will we be? What's the plan? We still feel lost.... with no solid plans.
The both of us dread going home... because we have gotten too attached to our lives here, yet... a part of us feel like we don't belong here. It is very challenging to stay too (for many obvious reasons). One of the obvious options for us to stay is to further our studies with a Masters degree. But we ask ourselves, is that really what we want? We didn't need to contemplate for long to know that the answer is no. We've had enough; we both know ourselves well enough to know that we don't like studying and only got so far in our studies due to our parents' plans for us. We would never want to disappoint our parents but they need to understand that studying is just not for us. For me, I'm thinking... is that ~£18000 worth it to get a Masters? How much of a difference would that make for my chances of finding a job here in the UK? Just so you know, that's the ultimate plan... to find a graduate job and start building my career here. That'll be the ideal situation for me.... but it seems so far-fetched.
The following few months are just going to be stressful for the both of us.... and I'm dreading it. Assignments... exams... graduation... But there are also things to look forward to. One being my mum's visit for my graduation in July. We'll be going travelling and get to spend some quality time together after 3 years. I do miss her. Nia and I were both sharing about the choices we had to make throughout our student-life that got us here to where we are today. And I joked about how all my wrong choices led me to her today kekeke. I was wondering and explaining to her that what if... I chose to be rebellious and insisted that I went to Foon Yew High instead of Molek... or what if I went to Convent instead? What if I was strong-minded enough and stayed with my choice of going to the Perdagangan class instead of the Science class? Maybe I would have gotten better results... because I hated studying all those science subjects. What if... i followed my mum's suggestion and studied something related to fashion instead of sticking to a safer choice of studying business... which I thought would lead to me a clear career path. And yet, here I am, 3 years after I've chose to sign myself up to this course that I didn't fully enjoy. I told Nia how I love going to work... and how I was more than willing to do a 12-hour shift from 8am to 8pm (two days in a row) than wake up for a 11am lecture. I don't want to say that I'm lazy... it's just that I'm not motivated at all to study. Nia is the same. She skips her lectures and is not whole-heartedly committed to her studies, not because she's lazy but she just doesn't see the benefit of it. And she's smart and responsible and one of the most efficient people I've met. I believe she can be excellent in any job thrown at her but when it comes to her studies.... she just does it to get over it.
It's sad to think how we sacrificed what we really wanted in life in order to not let the people we care about down... I'm thankful my mum and my uncle don't give me as much pressure as her parents do. She's more stressed out about her future than I am despite her being the calmer one between the two of us in any situation. But I truly have faith in her and believe that everything will work out somehow for us. She's smart and capable and I trust that she'll fight for what she wants in life. I was talking to my manager the other day and telling her how I didn't cry when I said goodbye to my family at the airport when I left home, mainly because I was so excited to leave for this new adventure. But I would with no doubt at all cry when I need to leave this wonderful place and leave my friends here. However, this moment reminds me of the time I was blogging before I left home 3 years ago. That period of time was so stressful too... I couldn't sleep, I had no appetite....
Anyway, our conversation had to end at 11.30pm because Nia had to sleep coz she has to work tmr morning. And I went on to watch Running Man and eat my supper. As she was leaving my room, she said she will be back to talk more which I replied with a, "Please do. I enjoy your presence." We both need each other's support and... just a listening ear to hear our worries....
Tomorrow I'll be going shopping with my friend Kar Kai~ I haven't had a girls' day out for a really long time and I can't wait to go to H&M. It's these small things that bring joy to my life. After that, I'll be joining my colleagues from work for a leaving do for one of my managers, which I hope will be fun. I have really been enjoying going to work... and I'm dreading having to leave them one day.... I love my life here and it'll be very sad if I had to leave it behind one day.... but who knows where life will lead to me to....
x
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