It's Saturday at work, and that's when the horde lands at the airport. My job is a simple one, but the customers can make it difficult. Soooo many drama queens. You'd think the world was ending, the way some of them act! It all has to do with the fact that they are on the clock and I am too. Their ticking clock is their precious-beyond-words vacation, while my measure of time is how long I have to spend with them before I get to go home. These, as you can imagine, are two VERY different approaches to the day.
I KNOW these folks are bringing drama, packing drama. Possible scenarios are many. A sampling, from prior experience: There will be those who need directions- STAT. There will be those who are lost. There will be those who have lost items. Who have lost other people. There will be unsteady elderly. Parents with months old children. Parents with multiple children that have to be tracked and corralled constantly- always high drama there. Some people might be shouting at other people far across the way, or muttering things as they sit alone, staring at their cell phones. Many will blindly walk into traffic because they have just exited baggage claim and can't be faulted for not looking, because they are on VACATION. Maybe a person will trip and fall today, or one will get physically sick.
Aziz Acharki- Unsplash.com
And God forbid(!) that any actions I make or my company makes gives these people the perception that we are making them wait- even if it is for a minute or two- oh, that's the worst thing. Right away toes start tapping and grand agitation is present. Because they are on vacation! Why, it's almost unforgivable. I might be put in the situation where I have to explain to them the reasons for the delay, information that they may or may not think are valid enough grounds to be put on ice like that.
It is for these reasons and many more not listed that my strategy today is that I will check out. I will do my job, but mentally I won't be there. I'll be there enough to appease, but I'm not going to give these demanding dramatists any more of my time than that for the Focus Of My Attention will be elsewhere, thank you, and if you have any questions I will calmly and with perfect customer service practiced poise redirect you to where you will be able to find assistance, for I and many others on our crew are extremely busy.
I also wish you to understand that assistance might not be at your beck and call and so you may at times be running solo, might have to put your thinking caps on and locate purveyors of transportation, perhaps look at a map or read a sign, or negotiate other parts of the airport or lot on your own. Turn to re-engage me and I will not be there. My invisibility cloak will be protecting me.
Have a nice day!