Ok, here's the situation. Perhaps I've a few of you this story already but anyway:
I'm at work, serving this nice lady and I'm trying my best to have some little chit-chat.
"Hot day outside today yeah?"
"Oh yeah, horrible. Thank goodness for air-conditioned shopping centres" She replies.
In the meantime, I'm scanning her items one by one.
"At least the bushfires around the area this year weren't so bad" I said.
She nods in agreement.
I continue: "Like those ones about three years ago, I couldn't even breathe, there was so much smoke. And my eyes, they were stinging..."
"Oh yes" She interrupts. "My brother died in that fire. A tree fell on him while he was fighting the fires"
Oh my. What do I say? I was caught off guard. How are you supposed to respond in that situation? Do I give my condolences? I think in those type it would be best to give a little "I'm sorry to hear that". And I should've.
But I didn't.
Here's what I said:
"Oh, really (five minute pause while looking at her thinking what to say)...
...(longer, getting more awkward every second)...
..."ok, cool. Here's your bag, your receipts inside. Thank you, I'll see you later."
I had nothing to say. I said nothing.
I'm a horrible, horrible person.
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3 comments:
HAHAHAHAHAH OMFG juan... this funny shit only happens to you i swear.
what the hell could you say? don't feel bad i would have done the same thing except with...
'oooooook, i'll need your credit card and here is your room key'. haha
Oh my godness, Juan!!!!! you will be going straight to hell.....You souless robot ...hahahah!!
Lucky for you Juan, you are not alone in this world. I will probably be waiting by the door for you after all the bad stuff I do.
I wont tell you what I've done, but for sure it wouldn't be as bad as what you did.... you really have no feeligs. *kicks juan in his philo butt*
Shame on you bro, same on you!!
xoxox
Nat
hey juan i put a link to your blog in my blog...... Remeber what they say, I scratch your back, and you give me a massage ok??? ....
It's me, Laz again. I'm totally killing time just reading these and posting comments. It's good times. I'm going to tell you how i would've handled the situation. But we are completely different people, so however you would have wanted to do it, it's up to you. First of all, i want to say, mad props for the little chit chat you had going, i really had no idea that it was going to turn that sour that quickly, and her comment came out of no where from left field. But i think you did an excellent job in that situation with maintaining your coolness and serving her. You're so money Juan and you don't even know it.
When someone tells me something, i try to put myself in their shoes and try to envision what they're telling me. You know all that EB Games selling stuff and shit? I totally fucked that off whilst i was working there. I only put the act on when Kris was around. I'd rather connect with people's human side, if i know they leave the store happy, i know they will come back again and buy something. For me, i just personally like leaving people better off than when i left them. It's not that i'm a good person or anything, its just that i believe in karma, and being an arrogant prick to that 6'7 250 lbs giant would prolly help me make that final trip to the hospital i've always been craving. So i try my best to empathise with everybody.
Her: "My brother died in that fire. A tree fell on him while he was fighting the fires"
Me: *Shocked and stunned for a few seconds. Thinking to myself - how can anybody just come out and say that? Then i would take a time out to get out of my own head and try to see where this lady is coming from. Meanwhile, my facial expression is just blank and awkard.*
What possible themes could we move onto from here. Already i see two, she is telling me about the loss of someone close, so i can relate to it by telling her how i lost my friend in a car accident, and relate to her experience. However, that's rather depressing, and i don't feel right dumping my life problems on others. What else could i talk about? Well she did tell me "her brother was fighting the fires"...
Her: "My brother died in that fire. A tree fell on him while he was fighting the fires"
Me: You know it amazes me sometimes that humans can have the capacity and propensity to go out of their way to help others, even when it means putting themselves in danger. I really wish i could have that level of compassion, but i think in that same situation i would've froze and been of no help to anyone. I admire that in your brother, and i can only think that he is in a much better place for having that kind of nature than either you or I can imagine. I do very much admire the bravery and courage in your family. *Hands her her bags*
Her: =) Thanks. That's very thoughtful of you.
Me: Well yes. But when i see someone who sacrifices themselves and put's their life on the line for another person, i cannot help but admire their bravery. Maybe next time i'm caught in a fire incident, you can come save me =).
Her: Haha.. maybe i will. Cya later Juan! I mean.. Larry. You know how often i get those names mixed up.
Me: Yeah i can see how you could confuse me for a 24 year old balding fair skinned man. Come back again to visit me. I'd like to know more about you.
Her: I'll be sure to visit. Bye! *She walks off, happier than when she walked in*.
Anyways. That's what i would do. I only decided to write up this essay because the title of the blog said "Now, what would YOU do?". hey, i felt compelled to give my own answer =P
Much love-
Me.
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