Don’t call me baby
The only unfortunate thing about “corporate coffee” is that you get treated like a “customer”. “Is there anything else boss?”, the bloke behind the counter said to me today. “Boss?”, I thought to myself. “Do I look like the owner of a cotton plantation?”, I wondered uncomfortably.
One of the things that really shits me about getting older, and about customer service is the way I’m addressed these days. I hate it when people, especially taxi drivers call me “Sir”, for example. Actually any form of honorific that implies I’m somehow “better” than them. I know they’re just being polite, but surely there’s another way of being polite without sounding so awfully submissive?
And then of course, you have “mate” which sounds totally insincere, even though it shouldn’t, because it’s such an egalitarian word.
In essence, I think I’d like people in shops etc to drop words like sir, mate, boss etc…. and just tell me how much something costs and to wish me a happy day.
Anyway, off my soapbox.
As Tom has observed everyone seems to have left Sydney. It was bloody quiet on the roads and footpaths to and from work today, in stark contrast to work itself which was as busy as ever. I work in an industry that continues 24×7 while others go into slowdown mode at this time of the year. Consequently, I’m working through including Boxing Day. Be warned, you might even hear those once-dulcet tones of a has-been make a brief re-appearance in the next week or two.
And if you do, and you bother to call, don’t call me sir!
Hey Mister! Sorry James, the subject brought a smile to my face. Have some great days while the streets of Sydney are empty of people, before you know it they’re all back to celebrate New Year.
The answer to the “Boss” thing, is “You can call me James”. That way your barista remembers you and you’re more likely to get better coffee. Although not sure that brilliant coffee is possible in that place. :P
Is there a prize for the person who rings you up and says “Sir” on air the most? :)
Peter – thanks for the wishes. Same to you, and all of those bicycles who inhabit your streets!!
Tom – actually my regular guy is quite okay when it comes to the baristering. He’s cute too. An added reason to go back I may have neglected to mention.
Oh dear, I’m off to Brisbane on Christmas Eve for about a week and may miss your on air appearance(s). What a bummer (unless you plan on going national).
You might not have had much traffic today but I sure did over at Bondi Junction and on to Coogee. I’d be happy to pass it back it to you.