The other day, I was working at the movie theater the other day, behind the concessions counter. It was before we had opened, but there was a group that had come in for a special viewing. We were cleaning up and getting ready for opening when one woman walked up to us. She demanded that she speak to a manager as she plunked a large popcorn bag down on the counter. Hearing this, one of our managers, Fred, walked over and asked how he could help her. "Your popcorn tastes weird." she said "The butter doesn't taste like butter." Fred patiently explained to her that we cook our popcorn in coconut oil, and that that was what she tasted. I don't remember exactly how the conversation that followed went, but in the end, Fred told one of us to fill up her bag (because we give free refills for large popcorn bags). As the bag was being filled up the woman demanded "What are you doing?" confused, Fred told her that we were refilling her bag for her. "I don't want it to be refilled, she said "I want my money back."
It really made me realize that there really are people out there who are so selfish that they would demand that they get a refund after eating half a bag of popcorn that "tasted funny". And I find that sad. Why is it that as a society we have become so self-pleasing? And where will that lead us in the future?
That reminds me of a story the sub we had for Marine Bio told us one time. They were coming back from Norway or somewhere in that general region of the world and the pilot refused to fly the plane because the engines weren't working perfectly. People--Americans mostly according to the sub--groaned and complained about the inconvenience. They all got off the plane and got in line to meet with a customer service person or whoever it was that was dealing with this. The sub and his wife were in the middle of the complaining, negative crowd. They decided to get away from all the whining and got in the back of the line. When it was finally their turn to talk with the whoever it was person, they didn't whine and complain and point fingers, they just smiled and remained calm. They were given two options: 1) they could stay in that town at a five star hotel with a six course dinner and a fancy breakfast and get on a flight in the morning, free, or 2) they could go to a different town, stay in a five star hotel with a six course dinner and a fancy breakfast and get a tour of the town, free. The others were complaining about not getting to fly home. They were like: sweet! We get a fancy hotel, breakfast, dinner, and a tour for free! When they got on their flight, they were escorted into first class instead of economy class: free.
ReplyDeleteI had that same sub for German class and he told the exact same story! (older guy, thin white hair, fancy European blazer, awesome in general) I love subs who tell stories. And right now I'm kind of glad that the only job I have is babysitting.
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