knowing my limits

The best way to start off a day at work is with a cup of coffee by your side. I mean, what else do you need? You certainly don’t need your first customer in drive thru to come without a shirt. I mean, if it’s too early to put a shirt on dude, then it’s definitely too early to come to the bank.

Just saying.

There were a lot of,

interesting…

customers that came to my window today.

I really feel sorry for most of them. Most of the time. But not today.

Today I felt sorry for myself for even coming to work and exposing myself to the public when I was obviously not ready to handle it. I know my limits. I think the bank is more appreciative of me if I recognize my limitations and know when to quit. I’m sure they would pat me on the back if I was to leave work early when I saw myself fizzling out, right?

Anyways…

There was one time today when I knew I had reached my limit. I knew I couldn’t go on with the conversation anymore and still be able to live a relatively peaceful life. I was running out of answers to give and patience in order to endure for much longer. I answered the phone that was ringing, and the conversation went something like this:

Me: Thanks for calling <bank name> this is <teller girl>, how can I help you?

Lady: Hi, I was in a car accident last week and the other person involved gave me their insurance information. I find out today that the insurance information they gave me was bogus. I don’t have any insurance, am I going to get in trouble?

Me: Um, I really don’t have a lot of experience with insurance. I’m sorry.

Lady: Well, is he going to get in trouble? I mean, he told the police that same phony insurance information.

Me: I would think that he would get in some kind of trouble since he obviously lied to the police.

Lady: So do I get some kind of fine for not having insurance?

Me: I’m not sure. I really don’t know much about car accidents and the follow up with insurance. Was there something else I could help you with?

Lady: I just need to know if I am going to get a fine or something for not having insurance.

Me: Well, again, I don’t know how it works if you are in a accident without insurance. Have you tried calling the police and asking them?

Lady: <pause> This isn’t the police station?

Me: No, this is <bank name>.

Lady: Oh! I looked the phone number up online and this is what it gave me for the police. I was wondering why you weren’t able to help me.

Me: That’s okay. Yep this is a bank.

Sometimes I wonder why I bother going through the whole spiel of identifying the bank when I answer the phone. Nope, not the first phone conversation I’ve had like this at work.

As it stands, I would have been totally fine with this phone call if it were the only strange thing that happened today. But only one weird thing happening per day? Ha! Only if dreams come true. And I grew up watching Disney.

Let me just condense some of the happenings of today into a few descriptive sentences:

A creep with long hair asked me about my imaginary fiancé, and I had to quickly brush him off and change the subject because I try really hard not to lie too much about my non-existent boyfriend. (I wear a ring on my left ring finger, okay? Purely out of defensive measures meant to deter questions about my personal life. Not sure how effectively that is working out at this point though.)

An old lady practically yelled at me for not having access to her credit card transactions on my computer system. Also for not releasing the funds on her check so that the money would be all available today.

I was asked (more like they demanded to know) where my stapler was, as if it should have been sitting at the edge of the counter right next to the money envelopes for easy access to customers. Nope, I actually keep it chained to my side at all times. Never know when I’m gonna need a stapler. I mean, I work with paper. Lots of it.

I endured listening to a male customer talking to my coworker across the lobby about how he wanted to take me out to dinner. My coworker was nice and tried to give the impression that my “boyfriend” might not like that.

So, I have learned that my limits for what I can handle are getting shorter. Also, my time span for being at work without calling it quits is shorter as well.

Fair warning, tomorrow I may just be leaving work early.

You’re welcome bank.

the end.