Some People Really Never Learn
I did a bit of teaching before I realised that it just wasn’t for me. I loved educating and some of the kids were great. The others drove me up the wall and out of teaching altogether. There is nothing like working long hours for low pay — even spending your own money — to try to help someone, only to have it repeatedly thrown back in your face.
A few years later, I’m shopping for a new car, and who do I see but a former student, [Employee], one of the rudest, most arrogant, horrible souls I’ve ever met. He was completely capable of the work but just liked to be a smarta*** and hated to see others get on. He caused constant interruptions, had zero work ethic, and was a bully and a cheater.
[Employee] looks at me and clearly recognises me but he doesn’t seem to be sure from where. It looks like he is the only employee available. Great.
Me: “I’m looking for a small run around, something fuel-efficient, so low CO2 emissions and low tax. It’s for a company car.”
Employee: “Okay, well, err…. We do have… Hang on. Yes, a good deal on [Model #1] at the moment. Price starts from—”
Me: “Let me stop you there. You are not listening. I want a small, efficient, low-tax car. [Model] is a large car, completely unsuitable for what I asked.”
Employee: “Yes, but the deals on at the moment—”
Me: “I don’t care about the deals. I’ve seen the prices. I need a small, fuel-efficient car. That means low CO2. [Model #1] will cost me more in tax than I would save with a smaller car.”
Employee: “Oh, I, err, have to ask my manager.”
He disappears for some time. He clearly has not changed since his school days. He never could listen to people then.
Employee: “Okay, so I talked to my manager, and we do have a second offer on [Model #1]; it is a lease contract.”
Me: “I just told you I don’t want [Model #1]. [Model #2], [Model #3], and [Model #4] are all far more suitable. Why are you pushing something that I told you I have no interest in? I already said it’s a business car, so it would be business finance.”
Employee: “Well, [Model #1] does have the best deals at the moment.”
Me: “Boring!”
Employee: “What?”
Me: *Louder* “Boring, not listening!”
Employee: “Come on, mate. I’m just trying to do my job!”
The irony is lost on him completely.
Manager: “Is there a problem here?”
Me: “Yeah, can I get another salesperson? This one is incapable of listening.”
Manager: “Oh, sure. Why don’t you step into my office and I will see if I can help?”
I don’t know if [Employee] ever figured out who I was, but it did feel good to give him some of his own medicine. The manager sorted out a great little car for me in no time at all. It’s not so hard when you actually listen, I guess!