Failing To Understand The Situation
I work as a test proctor at my college in between classes. Finals are upon us, and the testing center is completely swamped. We have a high volume of students taking the final for a general education class that uses a third-party software.
A student taking one of these tests gets up from the computer and approaches my coworker.
Coworker: “Do you have a question, sir?”
Student: “I need to retake it.”
My coworker thinks something may have gone wrong with the software.
Coworker: “What happened to your test?”
Student: “I failed. I need to retake it.”
Coworker: “I’m sorry, sir, but retakes can only be approved by your instructor, and even then, only for emergencies.”
Student: “But I failed. I need to retake it.”
Coworker: “We are truly unable to schedule another appointment for you.”
The student picks up his bag and marches out of the testing room. He heads straight for me at the front desk.
Me: “Finished with your test, sir?”
Student: “I need to retake it.”
His face is emotionless. His voice is completely monotone.
Me: “Hmm, it looks like you were in here to take the [class] final. We cannot schedule retakes for that test, but—”
Student: “But I failed. I need to retake it.”
Me: “But your instructor is the one who handles retakes. You must get in contact with them. However, they aren’t likely to issue a retake unless—”
Student: “I failed.”
Me: “Unless you missed the test due to an emergency.”
He just stands there, completely still, face unreadable.
Me: “Do you have any other questions?”
As mechanically as a robot, he picked up his bag and stiffly walked away.
Poor guy.
Question of the Week
Have you ever served a bad customer who got what they deserved?
