Woe, to live the life of one such as I. Tis depressing and unexalting. Okay I am being somewhat dramatic but I have been concerned with this recently.
So, of course, everyone has a different way of responding to individual situations. Well I think of myself (typically) as the peacemaker. I don't desperately seek to put my foot down and I try to make everyone happy with me... But in doing so sometimes I find a piece of myself getting suppressed.
For instance, when you've waited at the Walmart Photo Center for over an hour and still don't have what you went for- what are you feeling? I get irritated at the wait, frustrated that Walmart already sent a message saying my photos were complete and can't begin to comprehend why the employee keeps leaving the photo lab. Finally (!) they gave me my photos, 75 minutes later and mumble some quick apology. My response? "No honey, don't worry about it!" Even as I say it, I am annoyed with myself for not speaking my mind; yet I go ahead walk away with the photos.
Indulge me for a brief moment as I suggest a hypothetical situation. Assuming Graham, my beloved husband, had of been in my shoes he would of had a different approach. After the first few minutes he would have watched idly, patiently waiting. After 30 minutes or so passed he would have sought out fellow employees to get a time estimate, as well as having a complaint upon his lips. By the time it was fully elapsed he would have demanded to speak to a higher authority, who would have given a sincere apology, allowed him to receive all his photos for free and, heck, they would of probably even given him a Walmart gift card for being such a valued customer.
Oh course that didn't happen because I picked up the photos myself, but the point is that he does not allow himself to be trampled over. There have been many times that his complaining towards our poor service have allowed us to have free items, promises to have better future experiences and always numerous apologies. I don't know, I guess sometimes it is it hard always being the nice person who tends to lay themselves down as a door mat. Certainly I don't intend to become mean and awful, but I would like to be able to stick up for myself in public situations.
Mostly this does not come from a photo slip-up but rather not having my car for over a *month* ! Recently I just explain the situation to Graham and hand him the phone, his slick ways are usually manifest by some kind of action. I am so grateful that he is able to help me so much, he doesn't even know how often I truly need him. Bravado and outspokenness can definitely be a quality to be admired or looked down upon, but hey, at least they are able to get things accomplished! Any thoughts over whether I should just accept my role as a patient, kind lady or just knuckle down into the fiery, demanding woman that is somewhere deep, deep down?
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