Mr. Buffet's Employee

It's easy to get bogged down by the negative experiences in life, especially those that originate from sour people. I would like to see a federal law that all persons of sour disposition be required to work one year at a service job at marginal pay, with no benefits, but that's not going to happen. But if it did all of us would still have to take a happy pill since nobody's perfect with respect to disposition. Just ask my wife about my sometimes sour disposition.

There is a toxin that hits you when it's launched by an irascible person. You're behind the counter and you must adhere to proper conduct and not raise your voice or use any conduct that would escalate the situation and give that person cause to launch his vitriol in the direction of corporate headquarters. It takes skill to divert this anger that implies incompetence on your part. Sometimes 'people' skills aren't enough.

Sometimes the toxin has a particularly keen sting as in the instance of a man who threw his key card at me.

"There's no need for that! I'll try to help you with your problem but don't treat me with disrespect." I smelled his boozy breath.

He was silent for a minute, looking down, elbows on the counter and then with a sarcastic smirk lauched into a tireade,
"I spend thousands here and they can't assure me of a key that works?"

" Sorry, I'll make a new..."

"You know who I work for? Come on, ask me who I work for." I took the bait.

"Warren(expletive) Buffet."

By then I realized how drunk he was. He hadn't spent thousands. His company paid for his lodging.

I started making a new key card but I forgot my password, a password I've used for a long time and panic came knocking at the door as Mr. Buffet's employee noticed my hesitation.

"You're new here. You forgot how to make keys."

Rather than respond I concentrated on the task and offered a quick prayer 'help'.

"When did they hire you? Last week?" His voice escalating, "You forgot how to work that machine, didn't you? Yeah, you're new."

My password flashed into my mind and in seconds I had a new key made. I apologized for the inconvenience and handed the key to him.

He snorted at my apology as he demanded to talk to a manager and it was after 1:00 a.m. To shorten this story I called the police after talking to the manager and the officers took him aside for a while and talked to him and asked him questions. They escorted him to his room.

In retrospect the man was reprimanded by his boss who also stayed at the hotel. During the incident I didn't let Mr. Buffett's employee define me, and I didn't retort by telling him how many years I had worked at this hotel. I wouldn't let him destroy my dignity. When he glared angrily I stuck to the problem at hand. I felt rage and fear that he would complain to corporate headquarters but I kept a poker face.

The abuse stung for some time. In church I've been told to forgive those who sin against me. The sting was dissipated by relating this event to my wife.  Lois understands since she has had many similar encounters. In time I forgave him and he quit living inside my  mind, rent free.

I will endure this situation again assuming I don't completely retire soon. I will dignify complaints and do my utmost for a guest but I will not tolerate disrespect or extreme drunkenness. I won't let anyone destroy my dignity and self-respect.