The Customer is King!

[BURKE89]

Hey all,
I had a rather awkward situation develop, while on a sales call earlier this week. I think, a few of you might get a kick out of my inability to extract the wing-tip out of my mouth. So...

I recieved a request for technical assistance, from one of my largest accounts (they manufacture specialty consoles, for *&4@ vehicles). A specialized M&*#@ laptop goes into their... blah,blah... powder coating... scratches... magnesium... M)^#@* pizzed off.. please help solve problem... Vaughn.... etall. Before I put you all to sleep, here's the skinny...

The engineer is new, transfered from a facility in Denmark, I believe. I couldn't place the accent, but it was definitely from east of the Oder. Long story short; problem solved, magic hybtid/tape (developed for a military application in Desert Storm).All's well, 30k yearly (est.) in tape. Then comes..."Mr. Dumass" (me).

I ask, (with Russian gals very, very much on my mind) "Where are you from originally?" She says, " Eastern Poland" (being Mr. Dumass, I get that... deer in the headlights stoopid look B/C I'm assuming she is Russian). She reiterates, "Why do you ask?" (man with vacuous look on face). Instead of simply stating: I'm naturally curious, inquisitive etc. I say, " I'm going to Russia this Winter". At this point, the new lead engineer from Eastern Poland was looking at Mr. Dumass in a rather, shall we say, unique fashion. She continues on her newly acquired vendor prey, "Are you Russian?" I reply, " No,no I'm..." before I can finish... "DO YOU have family in Russia?" At this point; I've re-gained my bearings slightly, thinking... Poland, was included, in my nightly freedom prayers as a child (customer %*@)!) too. The (I)nquisition continues...

"No, I'm Ger...". I caught myself, I didn't want her to feel some pincher action... who friggin' knows. I start going thru my "Heinz 57" heritage in my head... "I'm Swedish & ..." Boom, now the assault on the neutrals, she states, "Did you know that alcohol... something about restriction... in some time period... blah, blah... in Sweden... you, should go to Russia, with, the sarcasm dripping from her lip)".

Now I'm thinking, EXTRACTION with the earned booty (tape). She, was/is (in reality): a very charming, bright, appreciative, talented and yes, proud woman! I won't bother, with my extraction methods (nothing lurid), but it took a lunch, and three more hours. The conversation, and her feelings on Russia and Ukraine were fascinating. I'll elaborate, if any one has interest. BTW - I mean no malice against: Poland, Catholicism... or Fuc.... Brazil!  

Regards,

Vaughn  

[oldbutspry]

... in response to The Customer is King!, posted by BURKE89 on Sep 21, 2002

I'd be interested in hearing what her feelings about Russia and Ukraine are.

Come to think of it - as a youngster (16) I had a bumper sticker that said "Russia S*cks".  Oh, the irony (HAHA).  Perhaps I should remove the photo of that car from my photo album.  I'm not sure my fiancee would understand.  I view it as a naive and light-hearted thing of years past.  But she might very well think it is a serious affront to her heritage....

[BURKE89]

... in response to Tell us more, posted by oldbutspry on Sep 21, 2002

This woman has very strong opinions on everything. I was just glad, that I've a rudimentary knowledge of Polish history. She was born in Lublin, fairly close to the present Ukrainian/Polish border, I think. Her feelings, regarding Ukrainians on the whole, were very sympathetic. She spoke at great length, of the forced famines and collectives of the early 1930's, and her family's views of "Uncle Joe's" U.S.S.R., and their experiences during WWII. Growing up, she had many friends of either Western Ukrainian or mixed P/WU heritage. I sensed nothing, but a feeling of kinship, regarding Ukraine. She spoke, with a gleam in her eye on Ukranian independence. But, on Russia and Russians...

The anger was clearly visible. She wouldn't stop, even with food in her mouth. The insistent barrage was... well, pure un-adulterated hatred. Mind you, she is my customer so, I'm trying to be delicate. The subject was a veritable minefield, so I dropped it quick. She lost, over 1/2 of her family in WWII and the ensuing Soviet occupation. It was odd, however, that she made no mention of Germany in the entire conversation.

BTW, old feller - I too, had a few "anti-Ruskie" stickers on my old sled in my younger days. I especially remember one; it had a rather sinister looking bear, with imposing claws and "Lets not get taken in by the Soviet grin", if I remember correctly. The irony, never escapes me.

IMHO, ditch the "Russia S#cks" pics, buddy.(smile)

Cheers,

Vaughn

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Tell us more, posted by oldbutspry on Sep 21, 2002

... unless of course she misinterprets the term "sucks"...?

Tell her it's the "opposite of blows" which is really, really bad...