And he asked me, "Where is my gift card?"

This happened after performing a Yellow gasoline station shop. The little man grinned at me when I gave him the LOA. Then, he followed me about, almost ignoring the few customers who entered the shop.

His grin seemed almost a leer as he spoke in broken English, "You vant, I should open the door to you?"

"Oh, thank you, sir. That is very kind of you," I replied.

He grinned, baring his dirty, broken teeth, "I help you vith other things?"

"If you wish." Oh Crikey! This fellow is a bit daft, I thought. I hurried through my photo taking, the little man walking almost ape-like behind me. Finishing, I bid him adieu.

"Everyting goot?" he asked grinning manically. I nodded and hurried to my auto (hubby's truck).

Inside the truck, I downloaded my photos into my computer. There was a tap on my window.

Startled, I looked up. Oh bugger! It was the little man! His shirt was hanging to his knees.

"Where is my gift card?" he demanded.

"What?" I asked. I had no idea of what he was referring. Did he think I took a gift card, I wondered.

'Gift card, de gift card!" he said. "I git gift card like last winter when you come here. Right missy girly?"

I straightened up. "Good sir, I was not here in the winter. I was here last year when it was warm," I asserted. "I have no gift card, that must be another program. I do not give gift cards."

Get me the He!! out of here, I thought.

The little man scowled, "Hokay," he replied. He looked miserably at his shop and then walked away dejectedly, his shirt flapping over his bum.

I could not help but feel sadness for him. the poor soul was hoping for a gift card - the highlight of his day.

I honked my horn, smiled and waved to him as I drove away.

He whipped around, upon seeing my smile and wave, he grinned that leer and waved as if he was summoning a ship.

I wonder what program the Yellow gasoline station is running. I've heard there is some other program to start in June. But this was still May and apparently, he received something this past winter.

Up until two years ago, the yellow gasoline company gave out gift cards to an employee, if they passed the audit.

When you said, "The little man came out" in your title, I was thinking about "something else!" lol

@SunnyDays2 wrote:

When you said, "The little man came out" in your title, I was thinking about "something else!" lol

Oh, I'm a full arsed prat for doing that!

At first, I didn't understand what you were thinking. But then, I asked my husband, a sensible Wisconsin fellow.

He laughed until there were tears in his eyes. Then he explained it to me.

Apologies for my coarseness!

(face very red)

I did not set an alarm and woke up with barely enough time to get to a FF breakfast shop in time. I was in such a rush that I didn't see my fly was all the way down for the entire shop. People appeared to be staring at me, but that is normal when I shop in the hood as I do stand out.

I'm glad I was wearing my fashionable black briefs instead of my red ones.

Nobody said a word to me about it the whole time I was wandering around the dining room on a Saturday morning.

And yes, the shop was accepted.

I thought you made the title intentionally as a funny way to lead into your thread. (And I thought it was)

@Roxie wrote:

I thought you made the title intentionally as a funny way to lead into your thread. (And I thought it was)

Thank you!

With the title, I thought I was being clever in leading into the thread, but not to be coarse.

As I re-read it, I see now how it could be understood.

Often the pebbles in my head seem to be rocks.

Heh

Cheers to all!

Tatjana

it's possible they still do get gift cards from one of the other msc's
that shop them. I know some of the ones I do for a different msc
they get gift cards from yet another msc that does them. That's
at least 3 different mscs that shop them in this region.

@scanman1 wrote:

I did not set an alarm and woke up with barely enough time to get to a FF breakfast shop in time. I was in such a rush that I didn't see my fly was all the way down for the entire shop. People appeared to be staring at me, but that is normal when I shop in the hood as I do stand out.

I'm glad I was wearing my fashionable black briefs instead of my red ones.

Nobody said a word to me about it the whole time I was wandering around the dining room on a Saturday morning.

And yes, the shop was accepted.

My daughter called the other day to report to me that when she walked into the police dept to get her fingerprints for a new job one of the many people waiting to be helped tapped her on the shoulder to tell her that her pants were completely ripped open in the back. I replied, "I hope you were wearing proper nice underwear" which I think is a typical mom response. But, no, she was wearing a thong! I got a big laugh out of her embarrasment which extended to wondering if she had spent the entire morning at her new job with her bum hanging out. She still works there so I guess it was okay.

@scanman1 wrote:

I did not set an alarm and woke up with barely enough time to get to a FF breakfast shop in time. I was in such a rush that I didn't see my fly was all the way down for the entire shop. People appeared to be staring at me, but that is normal when I shop in the hood as I do stand out.

I'm glad I was wearing my fashionable black briefs instead of my red ones.

Nobody said a word to me about it the whole time I was wandering around the dining room on a Saturday morning.

And yes, the shop was accepted.

Sounds like the ladies were enjoying the "show"

Personal attack - deleted by mod

Why would anyone say such things about someone else? Unwarranted? "ape-like" little man portrayed as a dim wit illiterate?

Do you see why I delete my own posts, and then I'm "attacked" and called a troll, but all is good? What kind of pedestal does she think she is on? Is making fun of someone else really alright? No wonder Volition makes tight rules and forces members to abide.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/2015 04:46AM by MelanieOR.

Unwarranted.

Edited to note: This post was in regards to the previous poster's pre-moderated post, not the OP's lighthearted narrative (or the hysterical unintentionally euphemistic thread title.)

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/2015 11:49PM by elcarev68.

@MelanieOR wrote:

Unwarranted? "ape-like" little man portrayed as a dim wit illiterate?

I like "ape-like" little men who are dim witted and illiterate. I would be sad if they were not allowed to be written about.

I saw a sign at a country restaurant in Wickenburg, AZ the other day. It said, "Complaint Department. Push Button". The button was a mousetrap.

I always believe I'm over the top funny as well.

Rarely works out that way. I thought your post was hysterical.

Ha ha - I hate when the "little men" follow you around begging for attention!

I am not sure why you called him "little man," discussed the quality of his teeth or his pronunciation. Sorry, but I think it is unprofessional of you to speak this way and hope you are not writing your reports with such a slant.

It's a "water-cooler" like forum, not a stuffy business meeting. I actually laughed a little at the mental picture that was painted.

@EileenS wrote:

I am not sure why you called him "little man," discussed the quality of his teeth or his pronunciation. Sorry, but I think it is unprofessional of you to speak this way and hope you are not writing your reports with such a slant.

@EileenS wrote:

I am not sure why you called him "little man," discussed the quality of his teeth or his pronunciation. Sorry, but I think it is unprofessional of you to speak this way and hope you are not writing your reports with such a slant.

Oh my! Another version of the RP - "Respect Police" on patrol!

There is no need to be sorry EileenS and, you need not worry about my reports.

I do take some pride in endeavouring to be professional and accountable when performing my shops. AAMOF, this particular MSC does ask for opinion on my feelings as a customer. Other MSCs ask about uniform cleanliness and the attendant's demeanour.

IMO, all could be subject to the customer's objectivity. Did I report my experience of this shop to the MSC. That is surely my business, is it not?

Nonetheless, my customer objectivity begins as a customer and ends after a "reveal". It then becomes the auditor's objectivity, following the guidelines of the MSC's instruction. Personal opinion is set aside. That is indeed, how I perform each and every shop of this nature.

With all of that being said, and, as DanteScheduler notes, this was an account of my experience to the online forum, not to the MSC - colleagues of a sort. Surely you would understand this.

As you sift through many of the other strings, you most certainly shall find other accounts that may be similar in tone.

I did apologise for my unintentional coarseness. I do appreciate that others did find humour in my experience.

With regard to mentioning the description of the bloke and those who felt the need to chastise me for supposed non PC words, I shall only say this:

If one looks for their own version of offensive speach, they shall certainly find it everywhere, even in their own.

So now, go ahead, let me have it!

Cheers and Happy Sunday! Tatjana

Cold, damp and windy here - temps in the high 30s. Where is summer?

Cat sitting upon my lap, happily purring, awaiting the morning's bits and pieces.

@EileenS wrote:

I am not sure why you called him "little man," discussed the quality of his teeth or his pronunciation.

Maybe it is because he was a little man with bad teeth and an accent.

Cold, damp and windy here - temps in the high 30s. Where is summer?

Summer is on LI - mid 80's, pool temp 84. About to do my first set of laps for the day.

I am going swimming after my first laugh of the day. Spring is here and summer is coming in and out.

OP, thank you for your post. I came to the forum after my church service and your post is simply hilarious. As DanteScheduler stated, this is a 'water-cooler' like forum. At first I did not get any odd meaning to the title of the thread but when I learned about it, it did not compel me to go to the confession box. You are a good story teller.

You made it enjoyable to read, and 'professionalism'? Give me a break! How can anyone be judgmental in this simple, un adulterated story of a mystery shopper's experience. I have not had this much laugh in a long while in this forum.

There are things that occur in our mystery shopping that are actually enjoyable and funny and unforgettable and should be shared. If we lose our sense of humour, I doubt we will last as mystery shoppers.

EileenS
It's all in fun!
Go lay dow!!

Go lay down , I meant!
If you can't be on here and take a little joking around, then don't be here!

MelanieOR
You too!

I really liked the story. Thank you for sharing!

@SunnyDays2 wrote:

When you said, "The little man came out" in your title, I was thinking about "something else!" lol

So was I!!!!

Beautifully written, Tatjana!

Good post.

I have one shop where every time I go there the attendant on duty follows me through the entire shop and it doesnt matter that it is not the same person. Must be an owners thing. very friendly folks but I feel like the pied piper when I go to that station every few months... lol

Sometime you have to just lighten up and live. in this business Humor is something you don't want to leave home without. lol

When reading a book, a good author tries to give you a visual of the scene. A good visual is usually very descriptive, allowing you to accurately picture the surroundings. That way, the author is able to bring you into the story.

To me, the OP gave us a description and brought us into the story. It was not vulgar. The title could be interpreted a little on the "adult" side, but the interpretation is in the mind of the reader.

I understand how it could be interpreted as offensive. People who interpret it that way should not be chastized any more than those who do not. There is always a fine line here, even if it is water cooler humor.

To me, the fact that the OP said that she felt that the little man had looked forward to the gift card as the highlight of his day and now he felt disappointed, made me feel empathy for the little man. That's a mark of a good storyteller.