Are customers **really** always right?

Seriously, I have yet to meet even one person who has worked in the service industry or in a customer service job who doesn't have a horror story about a miserable customer encounter. We have all been there: the customer who comes in yelling or just being very nasty because we can't give them the discount or bend the rules for them because they're the customer! Why not? Why can't we break the rules because they exist and deserve the break??

My personal story ended well only because I was working in customer service at a store just because I wanted to, not because I needed to. I was able to be forthright, honest, and point out the customer's faults without having to worry about being fired. But, most people are in their jobs because they need to be. They can't afford to lose their jobs. So, they just have to take it. I feel horrible for people treated badly.

We've created a society of self-entitled, righteous shoppers and consumers who seem to believe that they are right, no matter the situation, even when they are completely in the wrong!

It's a horrible situation and something we really need to consider while raising our children. They need to learn to actually see the service provider. Our children need to recognize and acknowledge their existence as good human beings trying to do their best in what could be considered a challenging position.

It really just comes down to respect. If children learn it, they will give it. :)

How do we teach children respect?

[exasperated sigh]

So, really, how do we?

It can be so frustrating! From a teacher's perspective, I can honestly say that we know exactly where kids get their behaviors. Almost every time I've had to hold a parent-teacher conference about behavior, the parent walks in exhibiting that same behavior! Notice, I say almost. Exceptions happen. We all know this. But the fact remains, children do what we do, not what we say to do.

As parents, we are models for our children 24/7. Even when they're not home, we model the behaviors we want to see in them. Why when they're not home? Because, somehow, they always find out what we've been up to!

Here's my little rant about an experience this evening. :) Enjoy

Cell Phones: Where will it end?

People have become so obsessed with cell phones that our relationships are beginning to suffer. People can't have a conversation over five minutes without someone checking a phone for messages. Families even chat via text, even when they're in the same house!

Ok, I'm just as guilty of that. My daughters and I used to text from the first to second floor of the house. :D At least we recognized how silly it was and made fun of ourselves. (Although, it did come in handy during those inconvenient toilet paper emergencies!)

But really, when people have to use Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and all of those other sites just to keep up with each other, this tells us that we aren't communicating face-to-face enough.

But really, what is the solution? Will it end on it's own like silly joke emails? I used to receive 20 or more per day, but the novelty wore off. Will the novelty of sitting with your head stuck to a cell phone wear off?

What will bring us together again?

The Great 2016 Bathroom Debate

The bathroom thing. Who should be able to use which restroom? Does it really matter?

People are getting upset over the possibility that an evil creature may be haunting the public restrooms while someone we love is in there. But really, who is the evil one?

I think many people are forgetting what it's really about and throwing out a bunch of stuff to confuse the issues. This is just my opinion and in no way should this be considered an insult to anyone except those going out of their way to hurt others, especially by hurting the most innocent of us, our children.

Students, Late work, and Society

So this is just my own perspective, but jeez!! Why do we allow late-work in school and then expect students to respect deadlines in real life?

And now for something different!

Blog, Video, or Vlog? 

This is my first post in over two years and I'm trying something new. But you know what? I have no idea what to talk about!! Give me some help here, ok?

Comments and suggestions are more than welcome! I need some ideas, folks! :)