Yesterday at the store there was an unusually high number of teenagers (brats) being obnoxious stopping in. Probably because schools were opened for two days this past week and they had cabin faver. So, lot of loitering and other problems in the mall.
Because of Pundit's autism thread....I thought about this.....:
During all that a brother and sister were browsing for quite a long time. I politely asked if I could help them find anything. The boy (in his mid-teens) said "She's special. "
What he meant was the she was either or autistic or was mildly mentally retarded. I had already figured that out - but I was still just as polite to her as I would be with any other customer. It seemed he thought I should ignore her, talk down to her, or act as if she wasn't there. They eventually left to look at other stores. (as usual I thanked them for checking out the store and said 'Have a Good Day')
Way I look at it , every browser or potential customer should be treated equally and greeted and helped out if they're trying to find a game.
Heck, the KROGERS across the steeet empoys kids with Downs Syndrome as baggers and carts help every day during rush hour...if one of them stops in the store to browse I'd treat them with respect anbd courtesy just like any other visitor to the store.
- Ed C.
Good for you. Treating people well, is NEVER wrong.
Jesus Koltar... stalking the mentally ill now too?
Quote from: CavScout;281701Jesus Koltar... stalking the mentally ill now too?
You know Cavscout, no one will ever accuse me, or you, of not being an asshole. But the difference between you and I is that when i run into a non-asshole like Koltar I don't feel so threatened by the possibility of someone being a nice guy that I feel the need to try to belittle them. I'm capable of accepting that the world needs kind people as much as it needs assholes,
possibly even more.
This sort of shit just makes you seem so utterly small, dude.
RPGPundit
I think he may have been trying to make a sarcastic comment connected to the whole outburst whats his name had a few weeks back in that other thread...though i could be wrong.
Quote from: RPGPundit;281729You know Cavscout, no one will ever accuse me, or you, of not being an asshole. But the difference between you and I is that when i run into a non-asshole like Koltar I don't feel so threatened by the possibility of someone being a nice guy that I feel the need to try to belittle them. I'm capable of accepting that the world needs kind people as much as it needs assholes, possibly even more.
This sort of shit just makes you seem so utterly small, dude.
It's so cute. He defends you in a one thread (http://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?p=281684#post281684) and you come in defending him in another.
The best part is he has the balls to correct my spelling then comes right and fucks up the spelling in his thread title. What a douchebag.
This past Saturday, we had a games day in the flgs--eight gms simultaneously running hour-long "sampler" blocks of different rpgs. It was a hoot. Two of the frequent players in my open flgs games came--one is sort of obnoxious (he gets nervous around new people and cranks it up a notch, y'know what I mean?) the other has some disability (I'm not into labels, but let's call it severe ADHD for discussion) and seems obnoxious at times, also. I was happy that the loud guy got more hairy eyeballs than the ADHD guy, but I was most happy that neither was ostracized or rebuked, and with a little patience, everyone had a good time.
then again...
Stu,
That sounds like a really good time.
As silly as it sounds, sometimes the phrase "Relax, man I like the game too, its cool that you're really into it" - works equally well whether someone has a minor disability or not.
- Ed C.
Tut, tut, Ed. Have you been taking unauthorised photographs of CavScout again? :nono:
As for the actual OP, well, duh.
Quote from: One Horse Town;281753Tut, tut, Ed. Have you been taking unauthorised photographs of CavScout again? :nono:
As for the actual OP, well, duh.
I was going to ask you or Pundit to put the letter 'D' where I screwed up spelling that word.
The OP may seem like a 'duh' moment. - but this past Saturday really tried my patience. Its sometimes amazing how many prople just shut off that part of themselves that knows how to be polite when out in public. There were people stopping into the store being rude to paying customers. My natural choice is to favor the regular paying customer or even the first time customer.
Heck, I don't know American Sign language - but deaf browsers or customers stop by I do the best I can with what signs I know and a notepad. I've used our spare computer and actually searched out game sites on there so they can tell me : "Yes! I'm looking for that game!"
- Ed C.
Quote from: Koltar;281755I was going to ask you or Pundit to put the letter 'D' where I screwed up spelling that word.
- Ed C.
Done.
I figure, folks is folks. You done good, Koltar!
(I don't actually talk like that.)
Well done Koltar!
As for the brother...
In my experience people with disabilities are often treated worse by their own families than complete strangers. It just becomes an accepted fact they can't see beyond. The disability becomes the person.
Quote from: Koltar;281755Heck, I don't know American Sign language - but deaf browsers or customers stop by I do the best I can with what signs I know and a notepad. I've used our spare computer and actually searched out game sites on there so they can tell me : "Yes! I'm looking for that game!"
- Ed C.
I did something similar when I worked for a video store. I couldn't pick up sign, so I made sure I always had plenty of paper around. Guy could read lips, but he seemed to prefer writing. Nice guy, too.
You did the right thing, Ed.
Quote from: RPGPundit;281729You know Cavscout, no one will ever accuse me, or you, of not being an asshole.
See, and that's why you're an asshole ;D I'd actually like to meet some time.
As for the OP, Koltar, you handled it correctly. As for the brother, he probably hasn't come to grips with his situation yet, and feels like he has to apologize. That's crappy, and hopefully he'll grow out of it.
Quote from: stu2000;281743This past Saturday, we had a games day in the flgs--eight gms simultaneously running hour-long "sampler" blocks of different rpgs. It was a hoot. Two of the frequent players in my open flgs games came--one is sort of obnoxious (he gets nervous around new people and cranks it up a notch, y'know what I mean?) the other has some disability (I'm not into labels, but let's call it severe ADHD for discussion) and seems obnoxious at times, also. I was happy that the loud guy got more hairy eyeballs than the ADHD guy, but I was most happy that neither was ostracized or rebuked, and with a little patience, everyone had a good time.
Why is it wrong to rebuke someone who is obnoxious?
Other than that, Koltar, obviously you acted correctly, I'm not sure what else there is to say on the topic.
When I worked at a bookstore, I often had people whose means of communication were limited. One older lady had survived a stroke and her speech was slurred, it took a lot of effort and time for her to talk; and I spend an equal amount of time doing what I could to understand her. I know I once ticked off another customer by spending so much time helping her--but you know what? I didn't care. She deserved respect. She was often willing to let me help other people, and come back to her. But even then some people just don't think about anything but themselves. Sad that...
I hated retail towards the end--not because of the customers; I admit more than a few of them got on my nerves, and were atrocious human beings--but no, why I hated it was the companies I worked for didn't want us to take time to be human beings to our customers; and frankly that's shameful.