Life At Airport offers the true meaning that: People Are Weird
In other words…if you travel a lot or spend any amount of time in an airport, you must be very flexible…because these travelers all observe the same thing: “People are weird…”
That’s a comment I find myself saying when someone I’m with doesn’t do something like me. The way I would do it. They do it differently…and I have no option but to mutter to myself that they must be whacked or crazy. And when I say that sentence, it’s done. I’m done. No more thinking about it. No more trying to understand. I’m just in full acceptance.
What are the choices? Allow them (people/comments) to enter our heads and hearts to make us feel bad, judge them, or …do we just accept them for who they are. The last one is the best choice. Not the easiest one but surely the best of the three.
Working at the airport, saying “People are weird,” is pretty much a daily happening. Maybe even 13 times a day. People at the airport may be people who haven’t been out of their home in years, or haven’t seen the sun in years, or not have bathed in years. We see it all.
Then there are the grumpy people. I think this amounts for 73% of all people after they pass thru TSA (I go thru TSA every day and even I struggle when I get an ego in my path. Like my own).
The other day I was taking care of an older lady who ordered a pizza. A few minutes later 2 girls sat at a table next to her and ordered french fries. Quite soon the french fries were delivered to their table and the older lady was furious. She called me over and yelled at me. I’m used to this. I get yelled at by at least 2 guests a day. It’s not them. It’s the airport. The flying. The stress. Maybe they are going to wedding? Seeing a relative they don’t like. Or maybe someone died and they are going to a funeral? No one knows why they are mad. When dealing with them you must remember what they are going thru isn’t your problem. It’s theirs and kindness and compassion go a long way. It’s hard though. Joining in their fight is fun and entertaining. But exhausting and won’t get you a tip. Sometimes I know there is no hope and may toy with a guest or two. Like in this case. I told the older woman that fries are ready every 5 minutes. Pizzas must be created and then cooked, longer than normal. She didn’t understand and stopped giving me eye contact and speaking to me. I continued to be kind to her and treat her like she was a guest in my home. When she left, she left me no tip. I think nothing of these moments. Unless it was my fault, where I was too busy and couldn’t attend to my guest. In this case, I was innocent.
Much to my surprise and glee, I found a note on the table where the 2 girls had sat. We didn’t talk about the incident happening next to them, that’s not professional. (I gossip/bitch/moan/complain in the back with my co-employees!) The note was kind and included a 10$ tip. Almost 50% of their entire bill.
It’s those types of people who qualify as angels. Thank you angels. I think of you often!