red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Why does everything have to be such a struggle? Even a simple phone call to a doctor’s office. I don’t know whether it’s because I’m tired or getting older, but I just don’t have the time or the patience for this. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Me, neither. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Do you mean this conversation? Or are you agreeing with me? Which, although nice, doesn’t make sense, as you don’t even know what happened. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | I listened to what you said and suspect something that should have been simple became a production. I do not need the specifics to understand the concept. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Well, at least you’re listening. Which is part of the problem. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | OK, now I need more information. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | I used to think that the phone systems where you call a company and get automated prompts were the worst thing imaginable, as I wanted to speak to a human. Now I’m not so sure. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Yes, they can be very time-consuming and frustrating, but there are ways to bypass the system. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Thanks, but the problem started once I reached a real person. I don’t think people listen anymore. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | I agree with that, too. Or, maybe you do not get to the point quickly enough. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Fine. A few months ago, I got a bill for my annual physical, and it included an item I shouldn’t have been billed for. But it was during the holiday season, so I got busy with other things. About a month later, I called the office, and after spending quite a bit of time going over everything, I thought it was resolved. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Let me guess; it was not. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Not even close. I received a letter from a credit collection agency! Which led to having to start all over again with a different person in the doctor’s office. Hopefully, it has been resolved this time, and I’ll get a corrected invoice, not a second letter from the collection agency. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | You do realize you could have paid the uncontested amount at the start. And, FYI, the collection process is probably another automated system the doctor’s office uses. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | I was looking for sympathy, not advice, but I should’ve known better. Anyway, the whole thing is ironic. I know that I’m always saying that with everything being automated these days, I want and miss dealing with people. And then it was people that created this problem. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Technically, technology and automation caused the problem. But, whoever handles “customer service” should have been able to fix it. This means businesses need employees who are knowledgeable, good communicators, and problem solvers. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | At the risk of being old-fashioned, is it too much to want them to ask, “Can I help you?” and mean it? |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | “Can” means having the ability. And, is a separate question from “May I help you?” which reflects the desire the help. Both are required. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | I’ll ignore the English lesson, but that’s what Home Depot does! They hire people who are knowledgeable about the products, and they’re always happy to help. In fact, they’ve often walked me clear across the store to help me find something. I remember trying to buy a new toilet, which somehow became complicated, but the store manager went above and beyond to make everything right. Bottom line, and this may sound crazy, but they take pride in helping customers. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | That started at the top. It was how the company was built. They wanted to be a big business that offered the expertise and service of a small hardware store. When the chain first started, they stacked empty boxes on high shelves to give the illusion of being bigger than they were, but provided training for their employees to make sure they could help customers with most home repairs or improvements. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Impressive, but it must be expensive to train everyone. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | It is an investment. And, reflects priorities. But, not all jobs require that level of training. It is about mindset and perspective. Each employee that interacts with a customer has the power to make the experience a good one or a bad one. Customer service should be more than a stand-alone department. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | I remember when we were “teaching” at KIPP Houston High School, and you explained to the seniors that taking pride in how you do your job, regardless of what it is, doesn’t “cost” anything and doesn’t require special training. And is a great way to stand out in today’s workforce. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | When I was in corporate, I told my employees the same thing. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Do you remember when you interrupted the manager’s meeting at the table next to ours at Pappadeaux’s Seafood Kitchen to say that same thing? I bet that was the last thing they expected to hear from a customer. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | I could not help myself. Although it had been years – no, make that decades – since I worked at the Strawberry Patch, one of the Pappas’ first restaurants, I still remember the manager, Steve Sims, explaining that the hostess is the first employee the customer would meet and that they set the tone for either a great start or a bad experience. Each person, no matter what their job, is an important member of the team. It has stuck with me all these years. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | What a powerful but simple lesson. However, I have a hard time picturing you working in a restaurant. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | You would have an even tougher time if you saw the uniform I had to wear. Luckily, there are no pictures. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Are you sure? Maybe I should call their customer service. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Maybe you should not … |
Want to read other columns? Here's a list.
Were you like Red and shocked when the actor Chadwick Boseman died at the age of 43 after battling colon cancer for years? Cancer isn’t only for older people, and recent studies show more people under 50 are getting cancer. (Doctors aren’t sure why but suspect it may be due to less physical activity, more highly processed foods, and new toxins.) That’s why cancer screenings are more important than ever!
February may be Cancer Prevention Month – but we need to do it all year! Every year. And is why we’re rerunning last year’s post …
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | I know that cancer isn’t the “death sentence” it used to be when we were growing up, but it’s still a very scary word. Especially if it’s heard “close to home”. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | When we were young, the word was rarely said. And if it was, it was whispered or referred to as the “ c-word.” |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Kind of like when I had my two miscarriages. No one wanted even to acknowledge, let alone talk about, them. Which made it all the more difficult to get through it, although intellectually, I knew it was not uncommon. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Unfortunately, neither is cancer. It is the second-leading cause of death in the world, surpassed only by heart disease. But, at least, it is no longer a taboo subject. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Please don’t make this about numbers. It’s about people. Which you should know. I’m sure you remember when Daddy was diagnosed with parotid gland cancer , which luckily was treatable. And I’ve had skin cancer, although I was very fortunate, it was caught early and easily treated. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | OK, I will not quote statistics, but it is important to realize that although cancer affects many people, that is all the more reason to try and prevent it. Or, catch it early. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Very early. I’m not sure I ever told you this, but when I had squamous cell carcinoma confirmed on my nose, it wasn’t because of an annual body screening. It was because I just thought something wasn’t right, even though I had gone to my family doctor and was told it wasn’t anything to worry about. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | I thought you were always extremely conscientious about your annual cancer screenings, whether mammograms, Pap smears, or body checks. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | The first two, absolutely, ever since I was in my 30s. But it was only when I went to a dermatologist to check my nose that I realized the importance of having full body screenings, too. Especially since redheads are more susceptible to skin cancer. So, yes, now I go on an annual basis, although it was on a six-month basis for several years after I had to have Mohs surgery . |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Well, having routine cancer screenings, whether due to standard recommendations , because you think something is not right (after all, who knows your body better than you), or due to family history, has contributed to a decrease in cancer mortality rates . But, you do not want me to talk about numbers. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | I don’t, but that’s great news! It just shows you how important it is to be proactive. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Exactly. And, as we learn more about cancer, we can adjust our lifestyles to lower the risk of getting cancer. For example, think of all the people who quit smoking to lower the risk of lung cancer. Of course, advances in medical treatment have made a huge difference. And, given my involvement with Make-A-Wish, I have watched with pure joy how the cancer death rate among kids and teens has dropped dramatically. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Wow, I had no idea! That really makes you stop and think, and makes me think about the cancer stories in movies and TV shows. And before you roll your eyes, and tell me my theater degree’s showing, it does make a difference when a subject like cancer is reflected in storylines. It lets audiences understand it on both an intellectual and emotional level. Which is very powerful. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | It is. When you think of the movie “ Love Story,” unless you read the book, you did not know that Ali McGraw’s character had leukemia. But, around the same time, there was a “made for TV” pseudo-documentary/movie, “ Brian’s Song ,” which is the first movie I can remember that talked about cancer. It made it an acceptable topic of discussion. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | I’m impressed you remember those movies. There’ve been so many since then, not to mention celebrities who tell their cancer stories. But cancer being in the mainstream makes it so much easier to discuss. Not just as a society but personally, as I’ve taken advantage of those opportunities to talk with the girls about the importance of early detection , something Mommy never did with me. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | It was a very different time. Cancer was a “bad” word and potentially a “death” sentence. Today, the future is brighter, but it needs to be part of routine conversations. |
Even though Red’sthe warm and fuzzy one and Black’s extremely pragmatic, we both think of hearts on Valentine’s Day. Just not in quite the same way …
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Happy Valentine’s Day. And before you say anything, yes, I know you don’t celebrate holidays, so just humor me. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | But, I do “celebrate” February being American Heart Month since heart disease is the leading cause of death – for both men and women. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Gee, that’s one way to turn a “fun” holiday into a real downer. Today’s supposed to be about letting people you love and care about know that you’re thinking of them. Think Hallmark cards, squishy teddy bears, chocolate hearts. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Do I have to? I rather think about eating well and exercising. I would think you would want to make sure you are around for the people you care about. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | I do, and the irony is that I know what to do . I just can’t find the motivation to keep it going for more than a few days. But when it comes to eating well and exercising, nothing seems to deter you. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Because every morning, I walk into a large closet filled with size 2 clothing. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | That’s funny. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | It is the truth. I have always been a clothes horse. Now, decades later, I have a significant investment hanging in my closet. And, since almost everything is timeless and classic, I would be extremely annoyed if it no longer fit. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Well, even if that’s something us “mere mortals” can’t relate to, at least it keeps you motivated. I just don’t have anything like that in my life. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Really? I can name two things. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Well, I’m not sure Natasha and Sawyer would want to be referred to as “things”, but I see your point. I think I did a better job staying fit when they were younger and truly needed me every day. Plus, back when I was cooking for them, I was more focused on healthy eating. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Those are excuses. Are you saying that now that they no longer need you as cook and chauffeur, they also do not need your life experience and unconditional love? Especially as they face the challenges of adulthood. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Ok, now I don’t know whether to feel guilty or sad because I’m not taking good enough care of myself to always be there for them. At least, if I’m lucky, for the next 30 or 40 years. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | How about stop being so dramatic and just start taking better care of yourself? Do you remember the airplane and oxygen mask analogy? |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Absolutely. It was one of your more clever trick questions. You asked me if I was on a plane with the girls and we lost altitude, causing the oxygen masks to drop, would I first put the mask on myself or the girls. I answered, “The girls, of course.” You then pointed out that if I didn’t take care of myself first, I wouldn’t be in a position to help them. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | And everyone else that might either need you or want to have you around for a long time. But, it is your call … you can make smart decisions now or regret it later. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Well, that’s brutally honest. But it has motivated me to go for a walk and think about how I’m going to not only begin, but maintain, a “new and improved” lifestyle. I guess, in many ways, I’m now saying Happy Valentine’s Day to myself, not you. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Mission accomplished. |
Are you taking the Dry January challenge and not having any alcohol for the month? Or, maybe you plan to drink less (but not nothing), which makes it Damp January. Or, maybe this is the first you’ve heard of it. (If so, there’s still time to start!)
Well, nothing much has changed from our approach to Dry January last year, except the one who had started drinking more last year is continuing the trend …
red head assets.rebelmouse.io |
I keep
getting emails about where to go for
mocktails. I know alcohol-free cocktails, like Virgin
Margaritas, have been around for a while, but I’d never heard that term before. Do you think it has to do with
New Year’s resolutions? |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | It can if any of your resolutions are to lose weight, save money, sleep better. Or, drink less. Psychologically, January is the month when we “reset”, so a UK-based organization, Alcohol Change UK , started Dry January , where you abstain from drinking alcohol. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Perfect timing since many people shop, eat, and drink more than usual over the holidays. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | I know you used to drink a glass of Cold Duck on New Year’s Eve, a tradition going back to our childhood, but that hardly counts as drinking. But, I have always wondered why you rarely drink, but never asked. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | That may be the only thing you haven’t asked me. It isn’t for any moral or health reasons; it’s because, even many decades later, I still have vivid memories of overdoing it at a fraternity dance at college. Although lately, I’ve been drinking more than normal. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | For you, that means more than one drink … a year. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Very funny, but pretty much true. However, after visiting Tennessee Hills Distillery in the fall, I did develop a taste for their flavored rum. So, between the ones I brought home and the bottles of Moscato that Natasha had delivered to me by Drizly as a surprise holiday gift, I’ve had more to drink this holiday season than ever before. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Well, I drank more this year, too. But, that is because, during COVID, I went over a year without a drink. For years, I used to go out to dinner several times a week and would always have a drink or two, but now do not go out as often. Combine that with a lack of dating, and my alcohol consumption is almost non-existent. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | But your condo has a pantry that you converted into a beautiful bar with all those liquor bottles on display. And you’ve collected wine for years. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Yes, it looks enticing, but I do not drink alone. Never have. But, if I did, I would probably need to hide the liquor, or put yellow “caution tape” in front of the bar during Dry January. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | That’s funny, but do you really think that people can go cold turkey for an entire month? That seems like a long time if you’re used to drinking on a regular basis. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io |
Yes. Besides
the fact many
bars
are taking advantage
of Dry January to offer customers something
new and different
versus just alcohol-free versions of traditional
cocktails, the demand for nonalcoholic beverages continues to increase as more people
prioritize healthier lifestyles. Not to
mention, many people now feel less social pressure to drink.
|
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Please don’t start quoting statistics and studies! But don’t you think, come February, everyone will just go back to their “normal” habits? |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Since you do not want me to mention any of the science, or the fact people are already drinking less , I will come at it another way. If once you start Dry January, you experience the health benefits, including more energy, why would you go back to your old habits? |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Because it’s a habit? Sorry, I couldn’t resist. But good points, especially as we all know drinking can lead to health problems . Not to mention the risks of driving under the influence of alcohol. But I’d think there’s still some peer pressure to drink socially. |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | As more people are trying Dry January, or at least are aware of it, the more acceptable it becomes. And, the easier it is to find others to support you. Although sometimes you may need to avoid those people who do not. |
red head assets.rebelmouse.io | Well, I’ve seen you drink this month. And you can’t blame it on me! What’s your excuse? |
Black assets.rebelmouse.io | Dry January is not about having a perfect score. It is about reevaluating your relationship with alcohol. And, taking a night off does not mean the end of the effort. It just means it may be a Damp January. |