the Outcome of Customer Satisfaction, overcome

*I started this post earlier, but I didn't finish it, and then something came up, so I just added it. 

I got to the point where I gave up and stopped caring.  I became really moody, and when it came down to customers, I stopped trying to make conversations with them.  I stopped being pleasant and went into robot mode and going through the motions: saying "next in line", scanning the items, and placing the receipt in the bag.  From those angry customers, I became bitter because I had to deal with them and their problem with the store because they can't get their way. I think people need to learn how to read.  Seriously. No Joke. 

We as employees try our hardest to place and keep our items on the shelves, in an orderly manner.  But it's hard; things get misplaced.  Why can't people understand that?

But yesterday (7/22/08) A lady came, purchasing flowers, but apparently she forgot her credit card, so we had to ring up the flowers carefully.  Anyways, she found that she had returns in her car and wanted to bring them back in, but she ended up not coming back into the store until around 7:00 pm.  When she came back in she had a bundle load, and as I was ringing her up, she asked me what my manager's name was because she wanted to tell him that I made her feel welcomed at Michaels, unlike the other one she encountered.  Plus, she said that I was very "patient" which is something that I've been asking God to guide me in finding.  And although God has answered this prayer already, she was like the final closing statement, telling me that, yes I have mastered patience, and this is your reward.

I overcame the huge doubts I had about people's actions.  Now, even though people continue to do the things we do, I live life a lot happier knowing that I have made a difference in someone's life for one day.

note: previous week = worse week ever. got yelled at by manager (b/c he though I wasn't being productive) & dealt with long lines and frustration b/c I was the only cashier working. (the quick version)