Tuesday 26 May 2015

Light at the end of the tunnel - a work update

I have been working in a local supermarket for 2 years and 7 months. A total of 31 long months in an environment that is draining at best, sometimes soul-destroying. 

Only today, I was given a reminder of why I find it so difficult. I saw a woman walk up to me and thought she probably needed information, so I greeted her with a smile, "Good morning!"

She replied curtly, "Here, check the price of that item for me. It seems darn expensive to me."

How about hello, please, thank you?

We aspies are said to struggle with social conventions. Yet, I have been taught that basic manners are important, and I make sure I use them - only to see so-called "normal" people discard them and talk to me like I'm beneath them. In those 31 long months I have been patronised, talked to rudely and even insulted. All the while keeping my smile (even if I was boiling with anger inside sometimes). And I'm the anti-social one?

Fortunately, as you'll probably remember, some new work opportunities have presented themselves to me. This has given me the confidence to hand in my notice. The 6th of June will be my last day! I'm counting the days.

However, it will be a step into the unknown. I am still working on the translation I started back in February - 86 pages done out of 107, and still a lot of research to do to sort out the quotations. I recently had an email exchange with the publisher and gave him an update of my progress. He gave no sign of impatience (phew!).

The language school, however, have failed to get back in touch with me. Not only that, but I can't get through to them - I have called (no one answers) and sent emails and gotten no reply. This worries me a fair bit.

I know what you'll say - look for something else. But all my free time (pretty much) is taken up by translation.

We shall see. At least, as of the 6th of June, I will have a lot more time - to finish the translation and to search for another job.

On the 6th of June, I will be free.


Friday 1 May 2015

Best customer questions

As you probably know, I work in a supermarket. While the constant stream of interfering noises is one of the most difficult things to cope with as an aspie, interacting with people can be quite frustrating, too - people acting too familiar, being unclear in their requests, or just plain rude. Today I'm going to share some of the questions customers have asked me...

- "Excuse me, do you work here?" No, I stole a uniform because I thought it was so elegant.

- (Seeing me kneeling to restock the lower shelves) "Saying your prayers, are you?"

- "I don't understand how the buy one, get one free offer works." Well, if you manage to do a handstand while holding both items on one foot, the second one is free. 

- "So you have a boyfriend? How much is he paying you?" Excuse me, did you just call me a prostitute?

- (Customer staring at the yoghurt and dessert aisle) "Where is the mozarella?!"
"Just over there, sir, in the cheese aisle."

- (Same customer who asked how much my boyfriend paid me) "So, this boyfriend of yours, is he on the dole or on income support?" ...

- (Customer showing me a box of painted Easter eggs): "Are those Easter eggs?" Nope, can't you see they're lemons?

- (Customer staring at the margarine section and letting out a huge, baffled sigh) "Which one do you use for cooking?"
"None of those, madam. I use olive oil."

-"Still working, are you?" No, I was bored so I thought I'd restock shelves just for the fun of it.

- Me (turning to customer who just pulled at my trousers waistband): "Excuse me!"
Customer: "Don't you like it?" Geez, yeah. I love getting old creeps tugging at my clothes. WTF?

- (Customer seeing me clean the glass doors) "Will you come and clean mine afterwards?"
"Sure, how much will you pay my cleaning services?"

- "Do you sell painted Easter eggs?"
"Well, around Easter we do, but it's November at the moment..."

- "If there is no price on this item, does it mean it's free?" Oh, sure. Ask the manager.

- (Fifty-something customer accompanied by his mother) "Why don't you go to the village ball? Men would only have eyes for you!" Good grief...

- "I'm pretty sure you can't help me at all, but I have been looking everywhere and I just can't find that, I need it to cook dinner and I really don't know if you sell any..." Well, if you started by telling me what it is you are looking for, I'm pretty sure I could help you all right. As it is...