At least that's what a client said I was doing. Normally my job (at a welfare office for those who don't know) doesn't involve dealing with the clients. Sometimes when too many workers don't show up I have to fill in. Typically this just involves taking messages and entering applications into the system, sounds simple but we all know dealing with people is always more complicated than it needs to be. When I do have to deal with the welfaries I start to miss the old days at Target when I would haul carts or clean restrooms.
Today I had to deal with a real walking stereotype. The kind everyone pictures at the welfare office, wearing designer clothes, loads of gaudy jewelery and driving a pimped-out Escalade. She was immediately rude (four hours in a smelly waiting room does that I hear
) complaining about her aid being cut off. After looking up her file, and finding a number of notes from her caseworker about her rudeness and bad attitude, being cut off several times for not providing accurate information, I found that there were forms that she was supposed to mail to us over a month ago. After informing her of this she slides the forms across the desk. "Will I be able to get my check today?" she didn't ask in real nice way , it sounded more like a condescending tone if anything, with that head bobbing from side to side thing.
"Not today, most of the workers are out on a mandatory training, I'm just filling in." which was bull, many were out at department luncheons, vacations, out sick or whatever.
"Well I don't have any money for food for my children, what do you think I should about it." Sending in your forms on time is one wild idea! it's not like you're being forced to work or anything.
"I'm afraid there's nothing I can do. The El Cajon office may be able give you emergency aid until your next check is mailed." Maybe parting with some of that gold around your fingers, arms, in your ears and in your mouth would keep your kids fed for a few years.
"I have to go all that way to that other office!?" yup, a whole six miles by car.
"That office is the closest I'm afraid." I'm ready to leave at this point, she had been using that same condescending tone the whole time.
Luckily for me she's getting ready to leave muttering, "My kids are starving to death because of you and you want me to go driving around the city."
I shrug and say, "Have a nice day."
Today I had to deal with a real walking stereotype. The kind everyone pictures at the welfare office, wearing designer clothes, loads of gaudy jewelery and driving a pimped-out Escalade. She was immediately rude (four hours in a smelly waiting room does that I hear

"Not today, most of the workers are out on a mandatory training, I'm just filling in." which was bull, many were out at department luncheons, vacations, out sick or whatever.
"Well I don't have any money for food for my children, what do you think I should about it." Sending in your forms on time is one wild idea! it's not like you're being forced to work or anything.
"I'm afraid there's nothing I can do. The El Cajon office may be able give you emergency aid until your next check is mailed." Maybe parting with some of that gold around your fingers, arms, in your ears and in your mouth would keep your kids fed for a few years.
"I have to go all that way to that other office!?" yup, a whole six miles by car.
"That office is the closest I'm afraid." I'm ready to leave at this point, she had been using that same condescending tone the whole time.
Luckily for me she's getting ready to leave muttering, "My kids are starving to death because of you and you want me to go driving around the city."
I shrug and say, "Have a nice day."

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