Damn, what an asshole

Asshole, originally uploaded by: douglas.earl

I ended my Friday with a heavy drama over at my desk when an old Mr British slash Chinese bald dude customer handed me a free gift voucher.

Me: I am sorry but this free voucher is way too old, I am so sorry I cannot accept it.

The Bald dude: I have known you here for almost two years now and you’re being unfriendly with this small request.

Me: But these vouchers has expired, can’t you see it was in 2006.

The Bald dude: (repeated each word slowly as if whispering to me) Do-you-know-that-you-are-being-such-an-asshole?

Me: I apologize but these vouchers were no longer valid. It clearly says, TWO THOUSAND AND SIX on the date. What do you want me to do?

The Bald dude: But you guys gave me this free pass.

Me: We know that it’s free but it doesn’t mean you can use it anytime that’s why there’s an expiry date printed in it. An expired voucher is considered void and it’s very simple, EXPIRED: 26 December 2006.

The Bald dude: Begging.

Me: Look, Mr British slash Chinese, to be fair with other customers, if you look at the rules stated at the back of the voucher, you can only use this within the valid dates, excluding the weekends or a public holiday. Today is a Chinese public holiday. Next time, you will have to pay or should check the vouchers or at least inform us earlier on for consideration.

PISSED ME OFF. Say if you buy a milk and the expiry has already past its due date, do you think you can still drink it?

This was a tough week for me. Yes I can admit that I am such an asshole. Specially for people who takes too much advantage and very abusive. But what really matters is that I am sticking up on the rules so it would be just fair for other costumers. If I can’t enforce the rule, then what’s the point?

Did I handled it right? Now who’s the real asshole here? The truth is that real assholes breed like rabbits - and Mr British slash Chinese can brand me anytime he wants, at least he now understand that rules is being empowered in our premises.

I know that treating people right means conveying respect, warmth and kindness to them — and assuming the best about their intentions. But the game changes when people demonstrate that they are indeed outright jerks, you have to do something about it. If only I’d have a power to get rid of bad costumers, I can just easily press a “delete button” to expel these kinds of assholes from our system.

And admitting you’re an asshole is something you can do to make the workplace to be more better. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could travel through our lives without encountering people who bring us down with their demeaning remarks and actions? Well, it’s my job to help build and shape a civilized workplace, innit?

And that’s what I did, I suppose.

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