There are situations when we get angry and most of us are much too polite to speak out. For me it stops now. No more Mr. Nice Guy. There are a few things that really bug me and if you agree, let me hear from you.
I just received a phone call from a company I do business with.
“Please hold for the next available customer care advocate.”
That is chutzpah. They called me and had me holding for 15 minutes before I ran out of patience and hung up.
I don’t like restaurants that don’t honor their reservations. I hate it when the hostess tells me that my table will be ready in 15 minutes. Is that a real 15 minutes, or just a figure of speech to pacify me? Then she suggests I wait at the bar. No, my dear. I don’t drink. I want to eat. That’s why I’m here.
I dislike restaurants that add the 20 percent tip and then leave an empty line marked “Tip.” I fell for that once — but never again.
And how about those parents that bring their toddlers to the restaurant and permit the youngsters to run around the floor while the servers with armloads of dishes have to dance and dodge around them. That’s chutzpah leading to some very unnecessary lawsuits.
And on the subject of kids, how do you feel about the little guy that’s sitting behind you on an airplane or in the movies kicking your seat? That’s not as bad as the inconsiderate mother who says, “If you don’t like it, why don’t you just change your seat?”
Back to restaurants — how do you feel about the man at the far end of the premises shouting into his cellphone so loud that everyone in the eatery hears every word he is saying?
Some time ago, Suzanne M. sent me some of her favorite gripes. This is one that really stands out. “Dog owners are doing the right thing by cleaning up after their dogs, but there’s nowhere to put the doggie bags!” Hey Suz — my guess is that they want you to take the bags home with you.
Another reader was angry at people who leave their clothing in washers and dryers for a long time when other customers want to use the machines.
What do you think of companies like BJ’s that offer a free 60-day membership to induce you to join, but give nothing to loyal customers who have been with them for years? It’s more than just a bit irritating. It’s downright insulting!
I don’t particularly care for people who have very little tolerance for the mentally challenged. There’s the reader who wrote to me and was disgusting when he referred to them as “retards” and, of course, Bill Maher, of HBO, who thinks of them the same as pet dogs. I am StanGershbein@Bellsouth.net shouting “Shame on them!” Now, let’s hear from you!
