Little Miss Entitled

With recent hype pertaining to 25 year-old millennial Talia Jane and her "open letter" to Yelp CEO, Jeremy Stoppelman (https://medium.com/@taliajane/an-open-letter-to-my-ceo-fb73df021e7a#.ir3s52eyp), and the backlash that occurred just four days later, after 29 year-old Stephanie Williams, blasted a rebuttal right back at her (https://medium.com/@StefWilliams25/an-open-letter-to-millenials-like-talia-52e9597943aa#.ocn2hy6bc), Stephanie's bold response to Talia's skewed sense of entitlement, got me thinking about my own life. Mainly experience in my twenties.

For those of you that aren't privy to the conflict, Talia thinks that because she makes only $8.00 per hour at her job at Yelp, living in the MOST expensive part of the country - WE, as taxpayers, should assist her in paying for her ultra-lux lifestyle, including her super fancy bourbon fetish, and love for big bags of white rice. 

Poor, Talia.

Stephanie, on the contrary, disagrees, stating that Talia should get off of her privileged ass and start looking for additional work, perhaps in other, less satisfactory fields. You know, the "dirtier" fields, like bartending. Serving. 

Waiting...

Gasp.

Both of the girls mentioned above were English majors. I too majored in English - with the hopes of one day becoming an editor of some kind, and/or maybe even the author of a novel or two. I still hope to write a book one day, but for now, blogging is my literary outlet of choice. I never thought I would be working in Property Management after I graduated from college, but I'm pleased with the career choices I've made over the past nine years.

I chose a degree in English, not because I thought I might end up wealthy one day, but because it was a subject that I genuinely enjoyed. I love(d) reading literature and writing papers, and with my blatant failed attempt in Biology, in my first semester at NKU, I knew I had made the right choice to switch - even if I had zero clue where I might end up after I graduated.

I did know one thing, though. I sure as shit didn't want to end up with a boatload of student loans, heading into my retirement still drowning in college tuition debt. 

This decision - to stay debt-free after college - was single-handedly the smartest decision that I've ever made in my entire life. So, I worked my ass off throughout my college years - mostly in nursing homes - which paid well, even at that time. 

The day after I graduated high school, I applied for and was immediately hired at a nursing facility in Batavia, only a few miles from our house. I was able to get my STNA license for free since the state permitted the facility to provide those courses to new hires. That in itself saved me a ton of money. The only stipulation was that I had to agree to work there for at least one year, or I would have to pay back the cost of the course, which, at that time was around $1,500.

Anyone who has ever worked in a nursing home knows that it's incredibly difficult. I worked on the Alzheimer's unit, where I was kicked, punched, spit at, and smacked on a pretty regular basis. I balled my eyes out on my commute to and from work for the first six months. I would continuously get called in for mandatory overtime at 3:00 in the morning, even during snow emergencies. I could barely get a day off. But I was young and needed the money for school, so I trudged on.

When I finally began my first year at NKU, I would commute back and forth on weekends, where I would work 16-hour shifts on Saturdays and Sundays, and then head back to school Monday morning and start the process all over again.

At the end of my first year at NKU, I realized that out-of-state tuition was costing me double, and I was running out of money fast. That summer, I made the decision to transfer to UC, Clermont, and gain reciprocity there. After two years, I earned my associates in pre-education and transferred back to NKU, paying less than half of what I shelled out my first year. This is also when I moved out on my own and moved into my first apartment (off campus) with a gal I met at NKU, my first year.

During the summers, I continued to load up on as many hours as I possibly could. Overtime really paid off. At times, I worked more than one job. During the latter part of my college years, I served at various places and bartended weddings with a girlfriend of mine. I also worked in retail, for seasonal work for a little extra money.

I may not have known where I was going to end up after college, but I sure as hell worked hard to get there. After I finally returned to NKU in 2001, I eventually got a different job at another nursing home in Anderson Township, where I continued to work and go to class. At this time, I moved out on my own, roommate free. I lived off of ramen, pop tarts, Campbell's soup, and nursing home food (thank you for the world-famous grilled cheeses, Ryan, you have no idea what a life-saver you were to me, then. Otherwise, I would have starved). I worked, and I worked, and I worked even more. And I went to class. I studied during lunch breaks and shopped at second-hand stores. There were times that I had to cut back my credit hours here and there and work even more to get by and pay bills. Some semesters, I was only able to complete one or two courses at a time.

After nine long, excruciating years, I did it! I finally graduated from NKU. Regardless of how long it took me, I'm proud of myself for all of my hard work; for the stressful cram sessions and the countless sleepless nights. 

And now, another nine years later, I don't have to worry about paying off student loans. And that is something to celebrate. Here's to working for what I've got.

**ATTACK** of the Chronic Complainers

Several of my friends have been getting on me about writing a book based on stories they've heard from me, while working in the apartment industry. For now, I'll just blog about a few of them. 

Anyone that has ever had the pleasure of working in customer service, has most definitely had his/her fair share of dealing with some downright frightening-ass people. The apartment industry is really no different.

The following is an example of a letter that I sent to someone residing at one of the communities I've worked for. I've always called these types of letters "love letters,"or "nasty grahams." These letters are compiled for a variety of interesting and sometimes entertaining reasons; mostly because of a neighbor's complaint or issue.

Dear {Insert Name Here},

We are receiving complaints at our office regarding your pet.

One of your neighbors came to us this morning and indicated that you are keeping your dog on your balcony and that it urinated on the  head of the resident below you, on at least two different occasions. Our maintenance staff also noticed that there are several piles of dog excrement on your balcony, which this is extremely unsanitary. We have included photos for you to review.

We are asking that you please do not keep your pet on your balcony unattended. Please see the Pet Addendum portion of your lease agreement for information regarding pet privileges.

Further complaints of this nature will result in our asking you to remove the pet from the premises.

Sincerely,

Me

CC: Resident File: {I Find It Ridiculous That I Even Have To Address This} Pet Complaint

 

I wish I could say that people were not really this clueless, and at times, vile, and that I was making this stuff up for the purpose of my blog, but unfortunately, I’m not. I have sent out hundreds - maybe even thousands - of these types letters, ranging anywhere from from pet issues to domestic situations. Many people just don't know how to behave, and I'm stuck being the bad guy - simply because I'm doing my job. Trying to make everyone happy all of the time is hard work, and most of the time, impossible! I've had to call the police on people, both drunk and sober, and physical aggression is never ruled out.

I think the most awkward complaints would be addressing those pertaining to loud sexual encounters. Yikes. Hey, by the way, can you please keep it down when you are having sex at three in the morning? The neighbor below you is complaining that you are being really, really loud and you two weren't the ones that were "up all night," if you catch my drift.

My biggest disappointment in human interaction, though, is coming into contact with people who are blatantly rude. For no reason at all. Maybe they were picked on in school as a child, or maybe they weren't given enough hugs by daddy growing up, but it's especially difficult to experience "attitude" that is thrown in the faces of the people that are trying to help. I see it every single day. I see it at work. I see it in stores, checking out. I see it while commuting to and from work. I see it everywhere. It's senseless and diabolical!

Then comes the complaining. The increasing level of unwarranted complaining and whining that I have endured and/or witnessed over the years is actually mind-bending. Some people can and will complain about things that I would never even think to complain about. This is why there are so many frivolous lawsuits - because people can be petty and ridiculous.
 

I must say that my favorite instance of verbal, physical, and psychological abuse - while being forced to maintain **superior customer service** - would be while dealing with a woman named Alice.* 

Alice is quite frankly, the nastiest and most hateful woman that I have ever come into contact with, in my entire life. Alice was so mean and so rude, that I would literally have nightmares about the woman at night, and panic attacks while driving in to work. She always reminded me of that one mean person (neighbor, teacher, bully, etc) that everyone was scared to death of as a child, growing up. I've also referred to her as The Wicked Witch on more than one occasion.

 

Alice would speak to me like I was snotty two-year old, incapable of completing the simplest of tasks. She would stomp into the office wearing an evil scowl so frightening, that it would scare even the evilest of movie villains. Alice would bark out her demands, and then make me repeat them back to her - because, in her mind - I was I was completely and totally incompetent and ridiculous. She would stomp out, and slam the office door, practically shaking it clean off of its hinges.I  don't know, maybe she had some sort of vitamin deficiency.

Alice was also nice enough to continue to refer to me as “new management,” completely oblivious of my seven-year tenure with the company.

One Monday morning, I drove into work. As I pulled in, a car was already parked in our leasing parking lot, waiting for our office to open at 9:00 am.

Shit. It was Alice. My heart freaking stopped.

I gathered my things and got out of my car, and headed into the office. Alice followed me, practically walking on my ankles with each step of her stride. I was SO not ready for her, this early in the morning.

Alice was there to pick up her packages. OK, I thought. Easy enough. Deep breaths.

Her packages, for some reason, usually weighed around 150 lbs. I never understood what in the world she was always ordering that weighed so damn much. Judging be the decor on her balcony, her taste was very similar to what one would see in a funeral home. She was was probably here to pick up one on her funeral home flower arrangements or cast iron cemetery decorations. 

I looked for her packages but could find nothing, and my heart started really pounding when I had to break the news to her. This was a fate worse than death - and I was the unfortunate soul that had to inform her of the bad news. Why did this woman have this affect on me?

Usually, the driver for UPS will make his rounds around the property, drop off notices to the residents that weren't home, and then drop all of packages off at the leasing office afterwards.

Every now and again though, the driver will do his usual song and dance, head to the office, and then find that no one in the office to accept them.This would usually only happen if he attempted to deliver after hours or both of us (there are only two of us in the office) were on a tour or out on the property, during the really busy summer months.

After I gave Alice the bad news that her packages were not at the office, she actually had the audacity to accuse me of stealing her packages. What? Are you fucking kidding me? A federal offense, no less, but hey, I’m the dumb ass.

Alice then proceeded to PUSH ME (yes, apparently physical violence is now OK in the workplace) out of the way so that she could make her way to our copier to photocopy her UPS slip. I secretly snickered as she fumbled with the buttons on the machine, unable to figure out how to use it. You're so smart, I thought, YOU figure it out!

Frustrated, Alice eventually looked at me and screamed, Why the hell are you just standing there, copy this damn slip for me!!

Absolutely, I stated, while I aggressively snatched the slip from her cold, ridged, fingers. I copied the slip, as she continued to berate me and accuse me of stealing her packages.

I calmly - yet shakily - explained that the UPS driver probably still had her packages on the truck and would be delivering them today. Alice continued to scream, and eventually she threatened me, stating that if they didn't than, "I would most certainly pay."

Wow...

As expected, Alice's packages did arrive that day, and thankfully, maintenance happened to be in her apartment, working on some things when they arrived. They brought the packages in and placed them on her counter for her. When I called her and left her a voicemail to let her know - in addition to an email - she never responded to me, thanked me, or apologized. Nothing. But I was never expecting something like that from her anyway.

Luckily, Alice moved out about a year later. And like all of the other pain in the asses of the world, I never have to deal with her ever again.

Ya know, it really doesn't take any extra effort to be nice to someone, especially someone that you really don't know. It's actually really quite simple: treat others how you want to be treated. That's it!

I understand that everyone has their bad days, but that person - yes, that person who is trying to help you - might also be having a crappy day. It's time that we stick together, love each other, and support each other instead of constantly tearing one another down.

*Name has been changed.