anytime you deal with the...
I have learned over a period of time that there are people who don't like dealing with The Public and would rather not have anything to do with The Public. They make it sound like they despise The Public and even go so far as to act as though he or she is not a member of the same universal group we call The Public.
The irony? Most of the people who don't like The Public have jobs or positions with organizations or businesses that deal with The Public on a daily basis.
HUH? What's up with that?
It's incalculable the number of times I've heard the phrase, Well, you know, anytime you deal with The Public....
The last time it was directed at me, I smiled and asked the speaker if he was aware he was speaking to someone who is a card carrying member of The Public.
There is a vast difference between The Public and Public. Public outcry, public embarrassment, public humiliation, public condemnation, public disgrace, public interest, public trust..there are a litany of words you can add to Public and most of them are nouns....including opinion, nuisance, eye, enemy and life.
But, there is only one, The Public.
It has been a joy to be part of such an illustrious group. I love being part of The Public, working with other members of The Public, giving and taking with The Public, and most of all, listening to The Public.
The latter has become an avocation for the past five years.
At the beginning of my second year of not having any job responsibilities, a friend offered me a part-time job with his business as a cashier/customer service helper. I accepted the position and have found it to be perfect for me because now I deal with The Public each day I work.
The Public can be critical, funny, nasty, pleasant, invigorating, energizing, poignant, and, much more.
Here are some examples of the one on ones I have had with The Public since beginning this part-time job. They are all real conversations and are as close to verbatim as I could recall when I wrote them down at the conclusion of speaking to the person.
One of my favorite regulars is a 93 year old gentleman and his wife. He owned his own painting company and sold his business 30 years ago. This member of The Public is about five foot seven with a full head of white hair, weighs 140 pounds tops, and, walks unaided.
I have had multiple conversations with this member of The Public and he never fails to make me laugh or smile. I saw him and his wife drive in one day and when he approached the counter to pay, I asked him a question.
Did you get rid of your pickup truck?
Yeah, she made me do it.
Who made you do it?
My wife.
Your wife made you get rid of your pickup truck?
Sure did.
That's not good. You loved that truck.
Yeah, well, that's the way its been going for 72 years. Ever since I married her.
What do you mean? How's it been going?
Downhill. Been going downhill ever since I said I do.
He turned around looking for his wife and when he saw her on the other side of the lobby, moved to join her.
Last August, Brandon Shirley, a deputy sheriff here in Kentucky, was shot and killed by two gunmen who were apprehended months after the crime.
The deputy was sitting in his patrol car when he was shot. He died at a hospital.
Newspaper accounts related the policeman's dedication to his job and specifically his kindness to others.
The week of his funeral, this conversation took place between me and a man who came up to the counter.
Hi, how are you?
Not so good. Need to get our car cleaned up. I know someone will be driving it.
Great. Let's see what you've got....okay, that will be 28 dollars.
I just can't do this....(He handed me his credit card)
I'm sorry?
Did you know my son, Brandon Shirley?
(Several law enforcement agencies frequent the car wash where I'm employed, but not his son's department. I looked down at the credit card and saw the last name on the card was Shirley)
Mr. Shirley, I am so sorry for your loss.
Thank you. He wouldn't be happy if I showed up for his funeral tomorrow with a dirty car.
Mr. Shirley then turned around and left to go outside.
Some of The Public walk into the lobby to pay for their service and stop to watch whatever news happens to be showing on TV. No one comments about stories unless they have an opportunity to unleash political vitriol. This particular day, a review of the actions of the January 6th Committee was being given by a TV anchor and a man who had been watching it, turned to me and said:
Those sons of b.......s. Let it go. They are spending millions for nothing.
It was nothing to violently storm our nation's capitol? I don't think the families of those
who died would think it was nothing.
Anytime there's change, there's going to be sacrifices. If Pence had any balls, Trump would still
be president.
I saw the uselessness of counterpoints and decided not to fuel the fire. I thanked him for his business and turned to another customer.
Sometimes members of The Public don't have enough cash to pay their bill, or they are just a dollar or two short. I take what they offer and wish them a good day.
One day, a customer expected more than a couple bucks (unbeknownst to me). He was dressed in a button down shirt, suspenders and khaki slacks. The man wore John Lennon type spectacles and his hair was pure white. He also had an accompanying mustache and goatee (think Colonel Sanders). Here's what happened.
Yes sir. Can I help you.
Well, I hope so. How much are you willing to give me?
Pardon me?
How much are you willing to give me? My wife and I are struggling in this economy and we can't
hardly make it.
(Thinking he was joking, I smiled and said) Yeah, I know. We're all having to go to the piggy bank.
You think it's funny? A man works all his life and he can't pay his bills and you think that's funny?
(It was at that point I questioned the man's intentions) Sir, what is it you want me to do?
Help me out here. Am I expected to pay for this by myself?
Sir, you got in line and ordered the most expensive service we offer. Yes. For some reason, I do
expect you to pay for the service.
Well, do the Christian thing and help me out.
(By now, there are more customers behind the gentleman and I wanted to move on)
Okay, I'll take five dollars off your bill. How's that?
Fair enough. Why didn't you do that in the first place?
After the transaction was completed, I couldn't escape the feeling I had been fleeced by a senior member of The Public, even if it was for only five bucks.
But, you know how it is anytime you deal with the.....
Coming up: Meet more POS; more of The Public; more oddities, observations and omg's; another job$ somebody's gotta do, and; down the road, we'll find out just what is discussed by those men having coffee at McDonald's.
And, finally. Do you remember The Andy Griffith Show? Did you ever wonder why the town of Mayberry was so peaceful? Consider this fact about the show.
Nobody was married.
Andy, Aunt Bea, Barney, Floyd, Howard, Goober, Gomer, Ernest T. Bass, Helen, Thelma Lou, Clara and Opie were all single. The only married person was Otis and he stayed drunk.
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