Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The Meanest Lady You Ever Met

I met her today. The lady in customer service who is so rude that she just makes you want to forsake whatever it is you came in for just so you don't have to interact with her. Like the Grinch, a heart that seems three sizes too small if you know what I mean.

When I walked in the door she was yelling at a customer over the phone in a voice ragged with decades of cigarette smoke. She wore Wranglers and hiking boots. It was obvious that she was annoyed with the customer and licked a fingertip as she thumbed through her scheduling book pointing out in sharp words why the request just wasn't possible. Her face was weathered with wrinkles.

There was one thing that seemed out of place. Her hair. It was absolutely beautiful. Her hair was the color of honey and hung about in soft waves at her shoulders. Not one gray hair. It was the hair of Loreal commercials.

As the yelling progressed, I began to wonder if what I came in for was really worth the abuse. About the time that I had located all the emergency exits in the room, she hung up the phone. Expecting her to turn to me, I steeled myself up to be all business. Instead, she didn't even look at me and went through swinging doors into the back room. Did she not see me?

I waited a minute or two, deciding whether or not I dare "ring the bell for customer service" when the swinging doors opened. "Yeah?" - not really even looking at me. I told her I had an order to pick up. She handed me a clipboard and gruffly told me to fill out the information. No small talk. She brought out my order with no words and shoved it at me with eyes on her papers the whole time.

We stood there as she ran my card in silence. "Sign here."

I don't know what I was thinking after the customer slaughter I saw moments ago, but I couldn't help myself. I let it slip. " You have the most beautiful hair!"

That was the first time she looked at me.

And she smiled. It was an unexpectedly beautiful smile. She said thank you and explained to me that she just returned from the beauty shop. She doesn't normally have her friend do much to her hair, but this time she wanted her to make it beautiful.

She starts chemo this week.

That changed my day. Probably my week. And I hope the way I view and react to people from now on. You never know what's behind the rude. Lord, thank you for the reminder!

And if you will, please say a prayer for the lady with the beautiful hair.

6 comments:

  1. Girl, that made me cry. The part I hate most about my job is giving people a diagnosis that they don't want to hear. And I watch them battle treatments, sometimes with victory and sometimes with defeat. I know what you mean though, you never really know what someone is going through until you stand in their shoes, or at least be human enough to ask if they are okay. Thank you Jenny!~ Carly Perkins

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  2. Carly, I had no idea that you were a nurse! That is such a gift and I admire those that serve. That would be so tough! I'm sure you meet so many people during some of the worst days of their life. I know you are such a blessing to them!

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  3. Carly, I had no idea that you were a nurse! That is such a gift and I admire those that serve. That would be so tough! I'm sure you meet so many people during some of the worst days of their life. I know you are such a blessing to them!

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  4. I have been told, by a wise lady, that hurting people hurt people. It's something I try to remember, but am not always able to. Thank you for the reminder.

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  5. Hurting people, hurt people. I had to read that twice before I got it, but I agree with you completely! It was a good reminder to me as well. I can always use reminders in this area for more patience.

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  6. Oh wow, Jenny! That's really neat. Good for you for finding a way to be nice to her. I bet she will remember those kind words during her treatment!

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