A Bit of Kindness By M.M.Wake
I've been sacked from work today. Funny that. Well, not really.
Suppose I will have to find some other employment now and as we all know that's not an easy task.
It's not that I did anything really wrong, you know like stealing money or the office stationery. I wasn't abusive or rude. No in fact just the opposite. I was dismissed from my job for being too nice.
Yes, you heard correctly, fired for being too nice.
Well there you go.
You would think that these days it would be an asset wouldn't you? People are generally so rude now. You just don't get the service do you?
I was in a large department store yesterday, I won't mention the name but it's the one that's never knowingly undersold. Yes that's the one. Anyway I only wanted a pair of tights; I'd snagged mine on the train going to work.
My right leg had stuck to a piece of chewing gum hiding under the edge of the seat. As I stood up to leave my nylons had clung for grim death to the offending bit of sticky and ripped a big hole that turned into a ladder right down the back of my leg.
Not a good look.
Not a great start to a Monday morning.
Anyway I digress. The woman , or should I say 'young girl' at the counter, well she only looked about 15, was busy talking on her phone. I caught snatches of the conversation, apparently the flowers Rita had received for Valentine’s Day had been artificial and that had ended the relationship. I can sympathise though, I mean all those fake rose petals gathering dust in your living room.
Anyway.
Not that I received any flowers this Valentine’s Day. Not even a card.
Well I don't have a bloke so it was a bit of a long shot. I think at my time of life even plastic posies would be acceptable. Have to be grateful for anything at my age.
Now I am getting off the point here. Its 8:55 and I have to be in work for 9 and I'm stood waiting to pay for my 15 denier and this young girl is chattering away on her mobile.
Well I can’t catch her eye so I wave the packet of tights in her face and point to my watch. Well you should have seen her face, a right picture it was. She slammed her phone down on the counter and glared at me.
I mean, you can’t credit it can you?
I had a good mind to report her to the manager but I was already late!
No service anywhere today. Yes that's what I was saying isn't it. My job. Well I am a people person you see, I like to help out where I can. Well you do, don't you? I mean I do what I can.
The Big Issue seller outside of M & S for instance. Well, I don't buy one but I always smile and say good morning. It costs nothing to be nice my old Mum used to say and there's truth in that. Literally!
I was telling you about my job, my ex job, that's right. Well, I like to think I know people, can see their needs. Maybe I should have been a nurse, or a caring assistant?
Lots of lifting involved though, perhaps not with my back.
My friend Renee thinks I’m a bit soft in the head. She could never understand why I took ‘one of the homeless’ in for Christmas Day last year. Well we’d got talking you see, well, mainly me doing the talking I should say, he was a man of few words.
It started with a friendly nod and then an occasional pat of his dog. Not that I did too much of that, a bit mangy, I think that’s the word. Anyway, one thing led to another and I ended up inviting him for Christmas lunch. Well, I’m on my own now Mum’s gone and you can’t really get a Turkey for one can you, not unless it’s one of those processed types, or boil in the bag.
Boil in the bag Christmas dinner, now that would be something.
Anyway, what was I saying? Oh yes. Nice gesture, but not one of my best ideas, Renee was right for a change. He wet himself just before the Queen’s speech. Left a big stain on the gold draylon. I would have thrown it away but it was Mother’s favourite chair. I don’t sit there now, well you wouldn’t would you?
The dog left me a nice parcel in the kitchen too. I was glad when they left.
Anyway, last week I was called into the office to be told my P45 was in the post. It was the third warning you see. Three strikes and you're out rule. I should have seen it coming really but I couldn't stop myself. I mean all those needy people men, women, young children; you can't refuse them can you? So I said ‘Yes’ to them all. Not one of them refused. I felt quite proud of myself, but not my bosses, oh no.
Apparently that’s the wrong attitude for an immigration officer.
Anyway, hey ho, off to the Job Centre to see what they can suggest?
Maybe something with young offenders? I'm sure I have a lot to offer.
Copyright M.M.Wake 2012
Suppose I will have to find some other employment now and as we all know that's not an easy task.
It's not that I did anything really wrong, you know like stealing money or the office stationery. I wasn't abusive or rude. No in fact just the opposite. I was dismissed from my job for being too nice.
Yes, you heard correctly, fired for being too nice.
Well there you go.
You would think that these days it would be an asset wouldn't you? People are generally so rude now. You just don't get the service do you?
I was in a large department store yesterday, I won't mention the name but it's the one that's never knowingly undersold. Yes that's the one. Anyway I only wanted a pair of tights; I'd snagged mine on the train going to work.
My right leg had stuck to a piece of chewing gum hiding under the edge of the seat. As I stood up to leave my nylons had clung for grim death to the offending bit of sticky and ripped a big hole that turned into a ladder right down the back of my leg.
Not a good look.
Not a great start to a Monday morning.
Anyway I digress. The woman , or should I say 'young girl' at the counter, well she only looked about 15, was busy talking on her phone. I caught snatches of the conversation, apparently the flowers Rita had received for Valentine’s Day had been artificial and that had ended the relationship. I can sympathise though, I mean all those fake rose petals gathering dust in your living room.
Anyway.
Not that I received any flowers this Valentine’s Day. Not even a card.
Well I don't have a bloke so it was a bit of a long shot. I think at my time of life even plastic posies would be acceptable. Have to be grateful for anything at my age.
Now I am getting off the point here. Its 8:55 and I have to be in work for 9 and I'm stood waiting to pay for my 15 denier and this young girl is chattering away on her mobile.
Well I can’t catch her eye so I wave the packet of tights in her face and point to my watch. Well you should have seen her face, a right picture it was. She slammed her phone down on the counter and glared at me.
I mean, you can’t credit it can you?
I had a good mind to report her to the manager but I was already late!
No service anywhere today. Yes that's what I was saying isn't it. My job. Well I am a people person you see, I like to help out where I can. Well you do, don't you? I mean I do what I can.
The Big Issue seller outside of M & S for instance. Well, I don't buy one but I always smile and say good morning. It costs nothing to be nice my old Mum used to say and there's truth in that. Literally!
I was telling you about my job, my ex job, that's right. Well, I like to think I know people, can see their needs. Maybe I should have been a nurse, or a caring assistant?
Lots of lifting involved though, perhaps not with my back.
My friend Renee thinks I’m a bit soft in the head. She could never understand why I took ‘one of the homeless’ in for Christmas Day last year. Well we’d got talking you see, well, mainly me doing the talking I should say, he was a man of few words.
It started with a friendly nod and then an occasional pat of his dog. Not that I did too much of that, a bit mangy, I think that’s the word. Anyway, one thing led to another and I ended up inviting him for Christmas lunch. Well, I’m on my own now Mum’s gone and you can’t really get a Turkey for one can you, not unless it’s one of those processed types, or boil in the bag.
Boil in the bag Christmas dinner, now that would be something.
Anyway, what was I saying? Oh yes. Nice gesture, but not one of my best ideas, Renee was right for a change. He wet himself just before the Queen’s speech. Left a big stain on the gold draylon. I would have thrown it away but it was Mother’s favourite chair. I don’t sit there now, well you wouldn’t would you?
The dog left me a nice parcel in the kitchen too. I was glad when they left.
Anyway, last week I was called into the office to be told my P45 was in the post. It was the third warning you see. Three strikes and you're out rule. I should have seen it coming really but I couldn't stop myself. I mean all those needy people men, women, young children; you can't refuse them can you? So I said ‘Yes’ to them all. Not one of them refused. I felt quite proud of myself, but not my bosses, oh no.
Apparently that’s the wrong attitude for an immigration officer.
Anyway, hey ho, off to the Job Centre to see what they can suggest?
Maybe something with young offenders? I'm sure I have a lot to offer.
Copyright M.M.Wake 2012
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