Sometimes people can bark. Among the many experiences I have had with such people—one stands shoulders above the rest.
I was working as supervisor at a coffeehouse in Kansas City when Rufus (whose name has obviously been changed) walks in and orders a frozen yogurt in a cup.
“Sure thing!” I replied as I walked over to the frozen yogurt machine, grabbed a cup and proceeded to swirl the yogurt into it twisted ever so stylishly. I then slid the plastic spoon into the treat and handed the cup of frozen perfection to Rufus.
His expression changed at that moment from great anticipation to obvious disgust. With scary fixed gaze locked on me alone, he meandered slowly to the trash and dropped the whole cup of yogurt in with a loud THUD.
I experienced in that moment what I like to call “hot nerves” running up and down my 6’1” frame as I felt somewhat offended and caught off guard. Something was obviously not quite right here.
So once again Rufus repeated the order he spouted just an eternal minute earlier. Didn’t I just do that? Is this guy psycho?
“I just made that for you… was there something wrong?” I managed to sputter out of my shocked expression.
With utter disdain, much like Seinfeld addressed Newman, he said, “You placed the spoon in the yogurt.”
“I did. Did you not want a spoon?”
“Not in my yogurt. That spoon touched the counter.”
“Actually, sir, I placed it on a napkin.”
“Same difference. I want a new one.”
Lightbulb—This man suffers from OCD! That changes everything!
As the hot nerves subsided, I carefully made the next frozen yogurt and handed the spoon wrapped cautiously in a tissue directly to Rufus. He was happy.
My understanding of the matter had dramatically altered my reaction as well as my attitude.
You see, from that moment on, instead of fearing the mean, demanding, quirky guy I chose to go out of my way to serve him the best I could without allowing his rough edges to bother me. I think after awhile he came to appreciate my attitude (despite his bark), for he would specifically ask others if I could be the one to serve him.
And when he thought I wasn’t looking, he began to quietly drop a few coins in the tip jar.
haha, that made me think of when you asked if I was high manitance. I wouldn’t of thrown it away, just gotten a different spoon and scooped out where the old spoon was!
Rachel
Does he bleach his coins? Those things are way nastier than spoons. Good to know *why* a person acts otherwise irrationally and find a way to serve them in a way that shows your attention.
Now I’m gonna have to find some frozen yogurt… thanks!