I Stick Out Like A sore Thumb

Barbara...I need to talk to you a minute.

This was said by one of my managers today.

Ok...which by the way is Mr. Kiss Butt.....from previous entry.

Anyway...

MKB:  I think that our cashiers are not showing the true spirit that I would like to project to the customers.

Me:  And what is that?

MKB:  Well take a look down the line and tell me how many you see that are smiling.

Me...looking down the line and noticing everyone working their hardest but concentrating and not one single one was talking to the customer or smiling... so being honest I said..None

MKB:  I think we are sending a negative attitude towards our customers.

Me:  Well...all I know is that I do talk to my customers and I smile at each and everyone of them, because that is the way I was raised.  Even if someone scowls at me I will smile and I usually get one back.

MKB:  That is exactly what I am talking about

Me: Ok, so you know that I do smile right?

MKB: Oh yes, I have been watching you and you are really good with the little kids too.  You always ask them about school, or how old they are or anything..and you make sure to include them

Me:  Well, that is just the way I am I guess...never meet a stranger.

MKB:  And I have seen people come through your line in a bad mood and by the time they leave are in a better one.

Me:  Well I tend to joke around with them a bit

MKB:  That is exactly what I am trying to say

Me:  What?

MKB:  You are the only one who does this

Me: Ok is there anything else?

MKB:  Yes...when you do this you stick out like a sore thumb.

Me:  Is that a problem?

MKB:  No, but how can I get the rest of them to do this?

Me:  I don't know, I just try to do it myself.

MKB:  Ok, well I think instead of you getting back on the register I would like you to clean the registers that aren't being used.

Me...thinking to myself...if I am the only one (according to him) that is being friendly...why is it that he is taking me off the registers and having me clean?

I am confused.

Barbara  

John F. McDowell

McDOWELL-John F., Jr. Age 33 of Manhattan was tragically lost on September 11, 2001 in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. John was a vice president in equities at Sandler O'Neill & Partners. He was the beloved son of John F., Sr. & Patricia. Brother of Megan and fiance of Bebe Morrissey. His love of life and laughter inspired us all. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.   John F. McDowell will be honored by Barbara at the blog ConfessionsOf An Angel Waitress. This was the 1427th blogger to sign up for the 2,996 Tribute project.

One of the things remembered most about him was his great sense of humor. He always was quick with a joke. . His Memorial Service in September, and all of his family and friends shared wonderful, warm stories of him. He was engaged to be married, he had a successful career, and had so much going for him. I pray for his family and loved ones, for I can't imagine their pain.
John McDowell was highly respected. He was a bright and talented individual. My blessings to John and his family.
He was outgoing, funny, and he never had a negative bone in his body. He always put a smile on everyone's face. To his family and friends....I'm deeply sorry for your loss. God Bless John is somewhere over the rainbow having lived life to the fullest.  John shared his caring and kind spirit with all he knew and loved.  His loss is beyond words. I deeply regret the loss to his precious family.  He seemed to be the light among many.  He was the kind of person who made your day better just to be around him. God bless his family and friends I am deeply sorry for your loss Barbara

Michael Andrew Bane

My 911 Tribute to Michael Andrew Bane

In Memory of Michael Andrew Bane

 

Michael Andrew Bane, age 33. Place killed: World Trade Center. Resident of Yardley, Pa. (USA). Michael Andrew Bane honored by Barbara at the blog ConfessionsOfAnAngelWaitress.

Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups took action against the American public on September 11, 2001.  Michael Bane, was one of the thousands that were killed on that day as a result of their hate toward America and our people. Michael was employed by Marsh & McLennan as an Assistant Vice President of the casualty claims division. His office was on the 100th floor of the North Tower (tower one) of the World Trade Center. He was extremely proud to be working in the WTC. He was one of few people worldwide who worked so high up in the sky.

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, he got up for work at about 5:30 am, fed his dogs, and kissed his wife Tara goodbye. As he left their bedroom, he smiled at her and said, "I love you". He left his house at approximately 6:40 am - never to return.

Tara first learned of what happened at approx. 9:00 am. The radio stated that a small commuter plane struck the WTC. She thought was that he would be OK even if it hit his floor because he did not sit by the window. As she continued to drive to work she heard on another radio station that a second plane hit the towers and they were large commercial jets.

This station also indicated that it was a suspected terrorist attack. The intense fear overtook her. She was shaking uncontrollable and crying. Tara ran up to her office and ran for a phone. By this time she could not see the numbers on the telephone to dial because she was crying so much. Tara called to a coworker and informed her that her husband was in the buildings, her brother-in-law may be in the buildings and her father worked downtown. She was unable to contact any family members due to the phone lines being down. Tara returned home to her house in time to see the towers collapse. As a she watched the attacks with panic rising inside of her, she was still unable to determine if  other family members were ok. It took several hours to hear from the rest of her family members and to find out they were all safe. But they still did not hear from Michael.

The next few days were filled with making grueling phone calls to hospitals, and emergency hotlines, describing what her husband looked like, indicating any identifiable features including birthmarks, and what he was wearing on 9/11. She had family and friends visiting hospitals and other places in New York City placing Michael's photo around in hopes of someone recognizing him and receiving some information as to his whereabouts. She had to collect DNA samples of her husband and track down dental records as well as past x-rays in hopes of identifying him either alive or dead. That first tortuous week and a half was spent with her family by her side, hoping, praying that Michael would be ok and waiting for that phone call stating so. During that time she was filled with the fears and panic of what Michael went through: If he jumped out a window in efforts to get away from the flames, if he was burned alive, if he was trapped and couldn't breath from all the smoke and flames, if he survived the plane crash and then had to suffer for the remainder of his life, if he was buried alive once the towers collapsed. These thoughts still plague her today. And to this day, she is filled with anxiety with regards to receiving that phone call notifying me of what body part of her husband was discovered, as well as the very real possibility of never having any piece of her husband be recovered.

Michael Bane was a fun loving, easy going, good guy. He loved to spend time with his nieces and nephews playing sports and games. He enjoyed his home and having family and friends over to visit, playing volleyball and BBQ-ing. He took care of his dogs and loved having them around. He recently began playing the guitar again which he did as a young adult. Tara often would come home from work and find him playing the guitar and she would just listen and be soothed by it. Now, the music has stopped and Tara says she looks at the guitar and wishes she could see and hear him play it again - but that will never happen!

When her husband died there was a part of her that died also. It was the life that she had planned to share with Michael. It was raising children together, helping them to grow up as good moral, fair people as her and her husband are. It was growing old together enjoying a home and their lives together. And now her life is completely different, unfamiliar, and lonely. Her canvas has been wiped clear and she will have to rediscover that canvas, incorporating the right colors and forms.

“I will not give up on my life, and I will not give up on all Americans.  This giving me an opportunity to honor Michael and all those for whom life was cut short in the name of terrorism.” states Tara

” Those who orchestrated the 9/11 attacks need to be held accountable for their actions. And they are the terrorist groups, Al Qaeda and the others who finance and support them.
Al Qaeda and all the other terrorist groups, as well as those who harbor them and finance their actions have causeda tremendous amount of pain, suffering and agony to many of us. This destruction of life and land needs tostop.  We need to prevent them from inflicting the painand suffering that I have endured, onto any other American.” She continues

Our country, its people and all of our monuments, which represent the American dream, need not experience the tragedies of 9/11 ever again.
This was written by the wife of Michael Andrew Bane who lost his life at the tender age of 33.  He did not have to die.  Tara did not have to lose her husband and best friend.

God Bless Tara and her family.  Michael you are missed greatly.

I Remember You

Michael Andrew Bane, John F. McDowell and all the other people who lost their lives 5 years ago today.  Gone, but never forgotten.

Baggers

It is a baggers job to put a certain number of items in each bag.  Certain things go together and some things can not be put together as in chicken with anything else and wet and dry.

Don't smash the produce and fruit!

Be nice to the customers.

Ask if they need any help outside.

Ok now let me tell you about our baggers...

Mr. Annoying...this kid sings offkey or bangs on the end of the belt in between customers.  Says stupid things trying to pick up the other bagger girls and says off the wall comments to the customers...you never know what he will say.

Mr. Flirt....is slow bagging because he is more concerned with flirting with the girl baggers next to him.  He is never done bagging the order and you have to help him to get the job done.

Miss Flirt....talks to everyone around her and walks away to talk to friends before she even finishes with a customer.

Smasher...this kid trys to go too fast and just throws everything all together

After these two entrys I just can't wait to go to work tomorrow....

I have had a hard day.  I won't go into detail lets just say the topics of today.

1. Liars

2. Crying

3. Fights

4. Police

5. Drunks 

Names Have Been Changed To Protect The Guilty

I have decided to tell you a little about my job.

As you all know I am a cashier at a grocery store.

I am one of the oldest cashiers who works

there...no I am not old.

Most of the people who work there are teenagers to 20 year olds.

I will describe some of them to you

.First we have the managers...

Mr. Nice Guy is just 18 years old. 

How he is a manager at this tender age has something to do with the fact of people he "knows". 

 Any way I really like this kid. He makes working there fun.  He isn't serious all the time and looking for mistakes or talking down to anyone. 

When I first worked there though I did see him get on to one of the little bagger girls in front of everyone.  I took him to the side and told him that that was not a professional way to handle the situation.  Since then he has changed his policy of dealing with his employees. 

 Good for you Mr. Nice Guy!

Mrs. Bossy...now she is older than me and drives me CRAZY.

She just got promoted to some level and it has really gone to her head. 

She is so picky about EVERYTHING.  One day she made one of the baggers (who is very shy) go home early because he did not greet on of the customers.  Hello can anyone say Warning??? 

 Anyway she critizes everyone from how many items they put per bag to putting stickers on everything that is too big to be put into a bag. 

 If you are back from your break one minute late (because maybe you had to pee...) you get a 5 minute lecture....hello who is wasting time here?

Then we have Mr. Kiss Butt.  He has to shake your hand and say hello to you everytime

you clock in.  He asks the customers if they need help with their grocerys for the third time after he hears the cashier ask "no"

Bagger asks "oh no thanks" 

 and then he asks again "NO!"  Some people actually get offended if you ask them if they want help out...but it is required.  Especially the big macho guys, the old guys and the independant older ladies.

Miss Stay In The Office On the Phone

really drives me batty.  If we need an override or help on the register it takes forever for her to get there.  And then she walks as slow as a turtle like

 there is no end to a day.  And then she acts like she was so bothered to be interupted and had to get off her ....... to come do her job.

Okey and Dokey are two other managers

 that I like. 

 They are always there when you need them and appear like magic as soon as you call them. I like working with those two.

Well I guess this will have to have part two or three. Barbara

How does Lisa make all those long entrys without running out of room?

 

 

McDOWELL-John F., Jr. Age 33 of Manhattan was tragically lost on September 11, 2001 in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. John was a vice president in equities at Sandler O'Neill & Partners. He was the beloved son of John F., Sr. & Patricia. Brother of Megan and fiance of Bebe Morrissey. His love of life and laughter inspired us all. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.   John F. McDowell will be honored by Barbara at the blog ConfessionsOf An Angel Waitress. This was the 1427th blogger to sign up for the 2,996 Tribute project.

One of the things remembered most about him was his great sense of humor. He always was quick with a joke. . His Memorial Service in September, and all of his family and friends shared wonderful, warm stories of him. He was engaged to be married, he had a successful career, and had so much going for him. I pray for his family and loved ones, for I can't imagine their pain.
John McDowell was highly respected. He was a bright and talented individual. My blessings to John and his family.
He was outgoing, funny, and he never had a negative bone in his body. He always put a smile on everyone's face. To his family and friends....I'm deeply sorry for your loss. God Bless John is somewhere over the rainbow having lived life to the fullest.  John shared his caring and kind spirit with all he knew and loved.  His loss is beyond words. I deeply regret the loss to his precious family.  He seemed to be the light among many.  He was the kind of person who made your day better just to be around him. God bless his family and friends I am deeply sorry for your loss Barbara