I Don’t Want To Make A Big Deal, But Here Is A Big Deal
(It’s a Sunday, so there are only two librarians working the library circulation desk. As I come up to the desk to check out my books, both librarians are talking to an older woman.)
Woman: “This is not a big deal; I just want to make it clear that I feel I have been cheated!”
Librarian #1: “Ma’am, while you may have overpaid your overdue fines—”
Woman: “I was told they would be credited against my future fines!”
Librarian #1: “I do not know who told you that, but they were mistaken.”
Woman: “My son says you do it for him all the time. And it’s only a quarter, but—”
Librarian #2: “We’ve never done credits.”
Woman: “—It’s not a big deal if your employee POCKETED TAXPAYER FUNDS!”
Librarian #1: “Ma’am, any excess fine payments are donated to the Friends of the Library, and we always ask beforehand if that’s all right.”
Woman: “It’s only a quarter. I get it. It’s no big deal, but I don’t understand—”
Librarian #2: “Ma’am, if you wanted to bring in your receipt—”
Woman: “I DON’T WANT TO MAKE A BIG DEAL OUT OF THIS, BUT—”
Librarian #1: *exasperated* “Ma’am, here is a quarter; I apologize for the misunderstanding.”
Woman: “Well. Fine.” *takes her book and her quarter and marches out*
Me: *as I step up to the desk* “I’m so glad that wasn’t a big deal.”
Librarian #2: *wearily* “You have no idea.”
Question of the Week
Who is the worst person you’ve ever worked with?