Started my job, somehow became a babysitter?

Today I started my new job (my first real job, actually) at a major office supply store. It's part-time because I applied and was hired while school was in session (it still is for a week and a half). So far I am enjoying it. I am particular about my office supplies and knowledgeable about electronics like laptops and camera equipment, so I was an easy choice. Landing a job on my second ever interview is a success in my book.

But enough about that...

A fellow worker was training me in the copy center today when a mother and her two children walked up to the counter. Her order was convoluted (lack of planning, probably a lifelong pattern) so it took a while. Moo of the Year left her children at the copy center while she went to pick out another item in the store. The other new hire was gushing because she has kids herself - although they are both older than me. By the time moo has picked up her order at the copy center, I am escorting her son out of the copy area where we keep giant, hot laminators and big, laser-guided sharp things. These machines have signs that say "MUST BE 18 AND TRAINED TO USE THESE MACHINES" and both kids were old enough to read - both were about 7-8). The daughter was busy pulling binding coils out of the trash and stretching them around her head. Their mother just uttered a bemused, "hurr, hurr" when I escorted her son from behind the counter, muttering something about "for your safety, you must stay behind this line." This wasn't a bright group. They all had that dim look in their eyes. I'm surprised we didn't have to clean up a pile of drool. I know I don't have any choice but to deal with them, but I can still vent. I have noticed that for reasons unknown to me, Austinite breeders are out in full force on the weekends.

I promise I wont regale you with every tale of breeder stupidity I encounter; just the more entertaining ones. I thought this one qualified because, well, these kids were magnificently stupid. It's like the kid was driven to the running copy/print machine.

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michaela

"A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends, and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt, will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter." -Jonathan Swift, A Modest Proposal

Oh, puke. You have my sympathies.

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lab mom

When I read your description of the family scenes from "Idiocracy" as well as a few choice quotes from the movie came to mind.

Welcome to the world of dealing with the general public... most of whom are ridiculously STUPID. It's a wonder the country functions at all.

Ye gods. I got a vision in my mind of a nearby Kinkos - and they have all sorts of choppy thingies right out in the open! You can just stroll right in and go hog wild nuts!

Lurking parents - keep this in mind if you feel like turning your kid into a Lil Chopper.

Re - this -
"I have noticed that for reasons unknown to me, Austinite breeders are out in full force on the weekends."

Doesn't TX have a big deal 'no tax' back to school - ah? shopping Holiday? If so, at least you have a few months to go before this unimaginable Holocaust.

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marco polo
Welcome to the world of dealing with the general public... most of whom are ridiculously STUPID. It's a wonder the country functions at all.

THIS. And Michaela, you have my sympathies for the breeders you'll have to deal with. It seems like more and more they expect everyone in the world but themselves to watch over their brats. I hope that your new job will be more rewarding than annoying, though.

You can look forward to more of this as long as you work in retail.

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"I have learned that pleasing everyone is impossible, but pissing everyone off is easy and fun as hell"

:eatu

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SlumSlut
You can look forward to more of this as long as you work in retail.

Or any sector of the service industry, really.

ugh. this sounds familiar.

and kinko's is always a breeder nightmare whenever i go in there.

Hm, kids driven to running copy/print machines...seems they're driven to chipper-shredders too.

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cosmictraveler

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SlumSlut
You can look forward to more of this as long as you work in retail.

Or any sector of the service industry, really.

I was going to say that, but there are exceptions, such as telephone sales / technical support, or prostitution.

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"I have learned that pleasing everyone is impossible, but pissing everyone off is easy and fun as hell"

:eatu

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SlumSlut

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cosmictraveler

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SlumSlut
You can look forward to more of this as long as you work in retail.

Or any sector of the service industry, really.

I was going to say that, but there are exceptions, such as telephone sales / technical support, or prostitution.

Ya neva knw....




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“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.”

Ah, customer service. You'll probably see at the very least, three examples a day of "People too stupid to breed, but did anyways". Last week we had a couple with a very, very new-looking baby girl in the stroller, and they wanted infant gas drops. I told them where to find the product, and they came back holding a bottle of Emetrol, that clearly states on the package "For Nausea" and it is NOT safe for babies! I fear for the poor little thing's life.