20 June 2017

in

Someone I met today worked at the Nike Employee Store.

I asked him if the store was staffed all the time, or how it worked, and he said yes. It's kind of impressive, because I'm pretty sure that the mostly empty store had at least 10-15 people on staff at the time we were there. He shared that the busiest times are generally weekends, so our choice to come at the beginning of the week was a good idea.

As for his employment? Most people start as seasonal workers during Christmas, and if they like you, you can apply for the PT or FT positions depending on their needs. I also asked him if employee store staff members are considered actual employees of Nike; they are, and their restrictions on access to the store are just as strict as the corporate division. 

19 June 2017

in

Someone I met today was the poor Alaskan Airlines Lady.

We were going to attempt to go into the lounge with Tam's lounge member card. Turns out they recently changed their policy to only allow the card holder. The man she was helping, however, was not going to take that answer.

He had his wife, and two boys between 6-8 in tow. 

She smiled apologetically while telling us we wouldn't be able to get in. Her eyes, however, pointed sharply at the man ready to yell at the credit card company who "promised" him that benefit. We nodded knowingly. 

In customer service, you'll learn that there's a lot that can be said with subtle language and oblivious people. 

18 June 2017

in

Someone I met today didn't know how to handle a customer service issue.

I went to Bottega Louie about to place my order for macarons. The first girl told me to circle and fill in a card with what I wanted. Easy enough. When I was done, she took it from me. 

I then went to the cashier who then had the following exchange with me:

"Oh, you have to fill out a card with what you want."
"I did already. I gave it to that girl."
"... Oh. Uh. So you actually were supposed to give the card from me so it doesn't get confusing and mess up our system."
"... Ok, so what do you want me to do about it?"
"OH uh. Nothing, it's ok."

I was super annoyed because it was like, really? You're gonna correct me? The customer can be wrong, and to a certain degree, it's ok. But you kind of have to assess whether or not correcting the customer is in your best interest. If she went any further than what she already said, I might have had words for her.

There are ways to correct a situation, and tactfully is the most important way of them all. 

 

 

17 June 2017

in

Someone I met today... Really, all of the waitstaff at Bestia.

Holy crap, I have never had such amazing service at a place. Not only were they super attentive, but the attention to detail at Bestia was amazing. As we walked through the dining room, each waiter stepped aside to let the host lead us to our table, smiling as we past. 

When I went to the bathroom, Tam mentioned that the waitstaff noticed and folded my napkin before my return. Even as I went to the bathroom several times (damn alcohol), they stepped out of the way for more, every time. They also were super pleasant, and were immediately present to clear our plates as we finished them. 

I don't think I've ever met a more professional waitstaff in my life. Not that I go around eating at fancy places all the time, but they were GREAT.

Highly recommend to everyone.

16 June 2017

in

Someone I met is Fedex driver.

Well, in the day time. He's a Lyft driver at night. He shared that Fedex has a hard time finding drivers with clean driving records... So if you get a ticket, you have to let Fedex know right away and they'll "take care of it."

Case being that he was smart with a cop one day, mostly because he was high. The conversation went as follows:

"Hello, have you had anything to drink?"
"Yes sir I have."
points at Red Bull can
"Sir, I need to write you a ticket."

Anyway, I know USPS also has strict requirements, so this isn't unusual. I just didn't know that Fedex had Godfather-like capabilities. 

15 June 2017

in

Someone I met today: All the Lyft Drivers we had. All of them asked us about EDC, and also asked what we were doing in Vegas if not for EDC. Because they were all so interesting, let me break it down. I know it isn't one person, but thematically, they're a group. So ok! 

Lyft Driver #1: Moved from California to Vegas because the cost of living is lower. Wants to go to Hawaii, but always ends up going to the Philippines with his wife once a year.

Lyft Driver #2: Used to work for DirectTV and traveled around a lot. He was based out of Alaska, but decided he liked Vegas best. The two other people in the car were in charge of the fire systems that are going into the Oakland Raiders Stadium. He shared that just 2 days before he met these guys, the newspaper said that they still weren't sure if the Raiders were really moving to the city or not.

Lyft Driver #3: Didn't really talk to him. I just remembered that his car was hot because the AC was broken. 

Lyft Driver #4: ??? It was after dinner, I was tired.

Lyft Driver #5: Really cool guy. We chatted about how he wanted to come to Hawaii. I gave him tips on a good time to go, and also recommended that he learn how to swim. Extra points to this guy because I left my phone in his car and he drove back to return it! 

Lyft Driver #6: Hispanic guy named Jesus. I'm pretty sure the Lyft app said that "Jesus was coming." He asked if we were here for EDC, we said no, for a wedding. He asked if we were getting married. Also said no, asked Tam, "Well what are you waiting for?!"

Lyft Driver #7: HOLY SHIT. This guy was insane. Hahahaa. So anyway, he picks up and makes sure that we know we're using Lyft Line, which means that he can pick up other people on the way to our destination. We said yes. He shared that Magic the Gathering was hosting a tournament in Vegas. Cool. Anyway, we're literally across the street from the hotel and he gets called to pick someone up from the New York New York. He pulls up to the designated stop and doesn't see the person. He calls them, and they say they're by the New York sign.

"No you aren't, because if you were, you would see me!"

He then proceeds to swear while talking to the girl on the phone, "God-fucking-damnit man, this is why I fucking hate this Line shit. These people don't even know."

Anyway, he hangs up, and drives around to the other side where he thinks they are. The next conversation went down exactly as I thought it would as the two girls got into the car." 

"See, there's the sign we were standing under. I told you were were by the big sign."
"You weren't by the ridesharing pick up sign, e'ery one of these hotels got one." 
"Oh."
"You're lucky I'm a nice guy and still picked you up anyway."

Yikes. Bad on both of them though... Girls should have known, and the guy shouldn't have been that rude haha. 

12 June 2017

in

Someone I met was a father who was enthused about technology.

It was a short interaction, but when I gave him a demo, he immediately called over his daughter to try it out. I think it was more impressive that the daughter was equally as enthused about the demo, and shared with me how exciting she thought it was.

She said she was going to start middle school, which is usually the age some kids start acting up. She was a complete sweetheart and I was glad to see it. 

11 June 2017

in

Someone I met today works at a clothing boutique.

"Do you work somewhere else?"
"Well... I work at The District, so I might look familiar with that."
"Oh! I see that makes sense." 

Problem is, I don't frequent clubs. I know a few people who are into that scene, but she doesn't know any of them personally.... At least I don't think so. Maybe I know her from Instagram pictures, which then makes me feel like a creepy stalker.

 

7 June 2017

in

Someone I met today works at Kona Coffee Purveyors.

I actually think I met her before and even talked about her... So oops if it's a double. I don't know if she remembers me, but I definitely remembered her. She was super friendly today like she usually is. Then it occurred to me...

At what point does someone become a regular? is it when both parties acknowledge it, or only one? 

6 June 2017

in

Someone I met today works in education technology.

He works at a very rich school locally, and he stood out because he remembered the last time we met. That happened to be the same time last year. He commented that he remembered me from last year, and we got to talking about our jobs and how we got to where we are.

Neither of us have degrees in technology or education, yet here we both were. Our journeys to this point in our lives were marked by detours outside of what our degrees dictated what we should study. Granted, he is much older than me, but shared the same passion for technology and learning like me. 

I always enjoy education events because you can see people who are genuinely excited about cool stuff. Though, there are sometimes sour people because they don't like change. Oh well. 

5 June 2017

in

Someone I met today was very fixated on money.

He was talking to a coworker of mine very enthusiastically about some of our products and future updates. While talking he shared that he runs a fiberoptics company. Most of the conversation revolved around technology and its uses; though it eventually turned to the men this person knew.

"One of my friends is a VC. He's rich, and he's been an angel investor for some startups. Anyway, I'm in the Claremont Hotel, and we go to dinner. It's like $55, and the man asks me to split it. Can you believe it? I told him I think I can handle it this time. I mean it's only $55, but could you imagine? With all that money?"

He then shared a similar story about how this man didn't just buy a new tent for Burning Man. I guess he couldn't just believe that someone didn't want to waste money. Personally, I admire people who continue to be sensible and frugal despite having mass amounts of it. 

Though, I think I could treat someone to lunch every once in a while. 

4 June 2017

in

Someone I met today was rude.

I mean, I met rude people all the time. He seemed alright, but when I turned to my coworker he mouthed to me:

"I don't like him."

Immediately, I switched him out with someone else. My coworker shared with me that he insulted the amount of knowledge he had. I know what it feels like, someone dismissed me solely because I didn't have the personality of a "technician" and was more like a "salesperson." It probably doesn't help that I'm a female in technology. I can say that because the solution I suggested in that instance was the same as the male coworker after me. The customer took that explanation, but not mine. 

This coworker thanked me for rescuing him and we watched the man from afar. I wonder how often people get belittled at their jobs. Probably none if they're not in the service industry. It isn't really a surprise that they somehow they feel better than the rest of everyone else. 

There's grace in knowing you don't know everything. Without that, you're basically a tactless jerk. 

3 June 2017

in

Someone I met today is a college student. 

I was volunteering at the Special Olympics and was paired up with some college kids. The one I sat next to is 19, and just finished his sophomore year. He is tall with elfish features; pointy ears and a playful face that gleamed with mischief every time he smiled. 

We talked a little bit and he liked reading, enjoyed soursop, and had atemoya fruits in his yard. Every time he talked, and even the way he responded to me reminds me of my brother at that age. The same amount of enthusiasm and similar types of responses. I think that endeared him to me, because I do miss my younger brother sometimes.

Then, a girl showed up. She's a member of the same academic club. He turned her attention to her completely, and it was then I realized he might like her. Maybe. I'm terrible at telling, and I took no offense to it; one of my good friends was with me anyway. When this boy left, he said bye to all of us.

As he walked away, he turned around and looked at no one else but her.

2 June 2017

in

Someone I met today owns a local lumber company. I got the bonus of meeting one of his team members.

He was nice and slightly hesitant about his purchase, but we had been making small talk and having playful banter. His team member was fun and playful, often making jokes at his expense. 

Me: "How long have you had your business?"
Him: "25 years."
Her: "it's funny you asked, it's on our business cards."
Me: "Would it be funnier if I told you I just turned 26."
Her: "Yikes."

Eventually he and I got to talking a little more.

"Where'd you go to high school?"
"Sacred Hearts."
"I see. How's the reputation of the school?"
"Well, it's been a while since I've been at the school, but I hear it's doing well."

After a little pause, I asked:

"Why are you asking about the school? Do you have a daughter?"
"Oh no, you see, I went to Iolani, and I knew some girls who went there. They were a little naughty."
"Are you trying to say that I'm like that?"
"Oh no, not like that, you've been very pleasant. It's just been a while since then, so I was wondering."
"Well, it's definitely been more than 25 years."

His coworker laughed. But all in all, it was a fun interaction. Probably the best one of my day. 

1 June 2017

in

Someone I met today is a mom.

I was in line at Costco, waiting to order a pizza and hotdog combo. That line is brutal for anyone but especially if you have children. The young woman in front of me wore scrubs, and had two children running and chasing each other around her. She addressed me only because they ran into me and she told them to cut it out. She had no real way of enforcing it; as she was continuously scrolling through Pinterest on her phone.

After she got her food, I waited about another 5 minutes to get mine. The table I got... Was next to hers. I observed her eat her salad, continuously scrolling through her feed as her husband interacted with the children. I finished my pizza and peeked over at her; she was done with her salad but still scrolling.

The husband and I made eye contact once, and it was half-apologetic, the other half was embarrassed. I mean, their kids were still being a bit noisy. It didn't bother me, though I'm sure he thought it did.

Everyone needs a break from their life at times, right?