Posts
I have been absent for a while. But that does not mean I have been without opinions. Here is the first opinion I have come back to share.
I always pick the wrong line. I don't mean to. In fact, I try really hard to get in the fastest line. I consider not only how many people are in a line, but how many items they have to ring up, how quickly they move, and how slow/new the teller seems. While driving I try to judge based on the type of vehicle, whether to get behind them or not. And I've improved my lane choices based on these judgments. But I still mostly get the slowest lines. A person that gets to the check out at the same time as me in another lane, will be out of the store before I can pay. A car that used to be behind me will change lanes and I will watch it drive away ahead of me until I can't see it any more.
Banks get it. Why don't grocery stores? Subway gets it. Best Buy gets it. Having one line for all checkers means no one gets stuck in the wrong line. Like in the bank, everyone who enters forms a line a safe, private, distance from all the tellers. When someone becomes available, they take the next person in line. You are served in the order in which you arrived. It's fair; and I like fairness. No one should get in and out faster than me because I got a teller-in-training and they were luckier.
Although it can't solve my traffic problems, 'One Line' is the fairest system for most stores. It would take some rearranging of the layout, and maybe my local grocery store couldn't do it as they are built now. But all new floor plans should include space for a main line to form. There shouldn't be a wrong line.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Working in Fast Food
When I started this site, I thought I would be posting more often. But I get busy, of course.
When I was in high school I worked at a place in a mall food court for a few months and then Pizza Hut for a year. Later during one summer of college I worked as a delivery person for KFC. I have done my share as a fast food worker. I may not ever take that kind of job again, but I’m glad for the experiences I had.
I believe everyone should work fast food as one of their first jobs. The lessons available are valuable. While it’s not a given, it’s possible for a person to learn many virtues there, such as the importance of a good work ethic, customer service skills, and compassion for the common worker. I will focus on compassion.
In spite of the pressures of speed, accuracy, and co-worker drama, fast food workers are expected to deal pleasantly with a constant stream of customers. Working with customers is hard. They are not always right. They can be rude, or expect more than is possible. They can be accusatory. They sometimes talk on their phone and treat you like an order-taking machine.
But having worked in those jobs, I am not one of those horrible customers. I haven't become a push-over, but I am compassionate. I give people who help me the benefit of the doubt. I understand that the person I’m speaking with is not necessarily at fault for a mistake. I recognize the learning curve for a new employee and wait patiently. I never raise my voice. What are they thinking who raise their voice to a complete stranger who is just trying to do their job?
I know people make mistakes. Having worked fast food, I know that it is possible to remain upbeat and pleasant even under stressful situations, therefore, I do expect good service. But when things aren’t exactly as I would like, I try to have compassion.
When I was in high school I worked at a place in a mall food court for a few months and then Pizza Hut for a year. Later during one summer of college I worked as a delivery person for KFC. I have done my share as a fast food worker. I may not ever take that kind of job again, but I’m glad for the experiences I had.
I believe everyone should work fast food as one of their first jobs. The lessons available are valuable. While it’s not a given, it’s possible for a person to learn many virtues there, such as the importance of a good work ethic, customer service skills, and compassion for the common worker. I will focus on compassion.
In spite of the pressures of speed, accuracy, and co-worker drama, fast food workers are expected to deal pleasantly with a constant stream of customers. Working with customers is hard. They are not always right. They can be rude, or expect more than is possible. They can be accusatory. They sometimes talk on their phone and treat you like an order-taking machine.
But having worked in those jobs, I am not one of those horrible customers. I haven't become a push-over, but I am compassionate. I give people who help me the benefit of the doubt. I understand that the person I’m speaking with is not necessarily at fault for a mistake. I recognize the learning curve for a new employee and wait patiently. I never raise my voice. What are they thinking who raise their voice to a complete stranger who is just trying to do their job?
I know people make mistakes. Having worked fast food, I know that it is possible to remain upbeat and pleasant even under stressful situations, therefore, I do expect good service. But when things aren’t exactly as I would like, I try to have compassion.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Bikes on Roads and Sidewalks
I will have many opinions big and small. Today is a small one. And, in the interest of full disclosure, I must state that I am not a bicyclist.
I have seen people ride bikes down busy roads as if they are cars. They get into the left turn lane and wait at the light and hold up cars behind them. They drive down the lane stopping at lights just as cars do. As they drive slowly down the street, cars must change lanes to get around them. Typical bicyclists ride at around 20 MPH (see Wikipedia). There is a minimum speed for public roads for a reason. It is dangerous to have vehicles going too slowly, and changing lanes unnecessarily. It affects traffic and puts the bicyclist in the most danger.
I understand that biking on the sidewalk also presents a sort of danger to pedestrians. But of the two risks, a bike/pedestrian crash is less harmful than a car/bike crash.
Most definitely, I believe bicyclists cannot have it both ways. The other day I saw a bicyclist do just that. He was driving down the lane as if a car. We came to a red light. He got up on the sidewalk and crossed as if a pedestrian, then went back out on the road and drove on!
Of course, it is the driver’s responsibility to watch for bikes and avoid accidents. But when bikes force cars to act dangerously, there is a problem. And my opinion is that bikes should ride on the sidewalk whenever possible.
I have seen people ride bikes down busy roads as if they are cars. They get into the left turn lane and wait at the light and hold up cars behind them. They drive down the lane stopping at lights just as cars do. As they drive slowly down the street, cars must change lanes to get around them. Typical bicyclists ride at around 20 MPH (see Wikipedia). There is a minimum speed for public roads for a reason. It is dangerous to have vehicles going too slowly, and changing lanes unnecessarily. It affects traffic and puts the bicyclist in the most danger.
I understand that biking on the sidewalk also presents a sort of danger to pedestrians. But of the two risks, a bike/pedestrian crash is less harmful than a car/bike crash.
Most definitely, I believe bicyclists cannot have it both ways. The other day I saw a bicyclist do just that. He was driving down the lane as if a car. We came to a red light. He got up on the sidewalk and crossed as if a pedestrian, then went back out on the road and drove on!
Of course, it is the driver’s responsibility to watch for bikes and avoid accidents. But when bikes force cars to act dangerously, there is a problem. And my opinion is that bikes should ride on the sidewalk whenever possible.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Opinionated Aprill
I titled my new blog "Opinionated" without apology. Many people, especially women, are afraid of that label. It's not considered an attracted quality for women. Well, I HAVE AN OPINION ABOUT THAT!
First of all, when I say, opinionated, I do not mean the kind of person who is closed-minded or bigoted. “Opinionated” in the thesaurus brings up prejudiced, dogmatic, and intolerant. There are people who will not even listen to an opposing point of view. They are often filled with hatred. Please don’t have this type of attitude.
It’s not in anyone’s best interest to be closed-minded. On the other hand, I believe an open, observant person is the most interesting person to talk with. An appropriately opinionated person isn’t offended when you disagree. They know friendly disagreements make for the best conversation.
So, I’m opinionated. I've always felt this way. I remember as a child having a discussion with a friend about grass. We were looking at blades of grass and I told her which I thought was better. She couldn’t believe that I would have an opinion about grass. I was surprised she couldn’t make up some reason to chose one blade over the other.
Growing up opinionated has been hard for those around me. I guess I can sometimes let on that I believe strongly about things that I really couldn’t care less. The important thing to remember is that I can argue passionately about both sides of most anything, and often do. So, although I have a lot of opinions, there are different levels. I can have an opinion about grass without passion. But there are many things I feel strongly about.
This blog will have my thoughts, both mindless and significant. Maybe no one will read it, but I will always have my opinions to keep me company. (If Aprill writes her blog and nobody reads it, is she still opinionated?)
I welcome *your* opinions as well.
First of all, when I say, opinionated, I do not mean the kind of person who is closed-minded or bigoted. “Opinionated” in the thesaurus brings up prejudiced, dogmatic, and intolerant. There are people who will not even listen to an opposing point of view. They are often filled with hatred. Please don’t have this type of attitude.
It’s not in anyone’s best interest to be closed-minded. On the other hand, I believe an open, observant person is the most interesting person to talk with. An appropriately opinionated person isn’t offended when you disagree. They know friendly disagreements make for the best conversation.
So, I’m opinionated. I've always felt this way. I remember as a child having a discussion with a friend about grass. We were looking at blades of grass and I told her which I thought was better. She couldn’t believe that I would have an opinion about grass. I was surprised she couldn’t make up some reason to chose one blade over the other.
Growing up opinionated has been hard for those around me. I guess I can sometimes let on that I believe strongly about things that I really couldn’t care less. The important thing to remember is that I can argue passionately about both sides of most anything, and often do. So, although I have a lot of opinions, there are different levels. I can have an opinion about grass without passion. But there are many things I feel strongly about.
This blog will have my thoughts, both mindless and significant. Maybe no one will read it, but I will always have my opinions to keep me company. (If Aprill writes her blog and nobody reads it, is she still opinionated?)
I welcome *your* opinions as well.
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