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Yesterday was very busy for a Sunday. There were 3 of us at the paint desk; we actually had full coverage! I was midshift. Around 3:00, the opener went home, leaving me and the new guy. At 5:00, he went to lunch, and wouldn't you know it, all hell broke loose 3 minutes after he left. I got busy. VERY busy. So I'm mixing up 13 one-gallons for a customer (all different colors), all the while taking other customers' orders and mixing what I can when I can.
I'm at the desk, next to three paint mixers, all operating; one large one that mixes 5-gallon buckets and 2 one-gallon bucket mixers. Also, I have a hair dryer next to me (We put a dab of paint on top of the can so the customer can see the color w/o having to open it. The hair dryer sits in a PVC pipe, so we don't have to hold it, drying the dab). Needless to say, it is VERY noisy.
This older coot of a customer apparently tried to get my attention, but I couldn't hear him (did I mention it was noisy?). So what does he do? Does he wait until I'm finished? Does he wait until the noise dies down, the get my attention? Of course not. He comes behind the counter and stands behind me and off to my side.
I have no idea he is there. The tints are done dispensing, and I grab the bucket (one gallon), turn to take it to the work table and GAHHH!!! He scared the shit out of me (not literally, thankyouverymuch!)!
So I completely stop, but you know what happens to objects, especially liquids, that are in containers that stop suddenly. They keep moving. Out comes about a half-cup of paint, heading for the customer. Luckily, he wasn't as close as I (now) hoped he would be, so the paint missed him. But it did land at his feet with a big "splort" and spattered his shoes, socks and bare legs.
SC: "Hey, watch it!"
Me: "Why are you behind the counter? Please, get back up front."
SC: "Well, I need help. I need...
Me: "Sir, I'm busy at the moment mixing up about 40 gallons of paint for these customers. And now I have to clean up this paint spill. I'll be with you as soon as I can."
SC: *moving closer to me* "But I need these things NOW! The painter will be at my house tomorrow."
Me: "Sir, I'll help you when I can. And please, stop stepping in the paint."
He looks down at his shoes, moves his foot to the carpet and wipes it off. Thanks, jerkwad! No I have carpet to clean as well.
I put down the paint can, and corral him to the front. He's getting dirty looks from the other customers. After he's in front of the counter, I take the chain and hook it up, closing the gap, making a show of it. I think he got the hint. He left soon after, without his items, as far as I know.
So I lost my groove, had to remake a can of expensive paint, but first I had to clean the floor. Thankfully, it wasn't a major spill and only took a few minutes.
But now I wish I covered that guy in paint. I imagine the whole can just jumping out of my hands and onto him. Oh, that would have made my day.
I've said it time and time again on here: DON'T SNEAK UP ON THE WORKERS!
I'm at the desk, next to three paint mixers, all operating; one large one that mixes 5-gallon buckets and 2 one-gallon bucket mixers. Also, I have a hair dryer next to me (We put a dab of paint on top of the can so the customer can see the color w/o having to open it. The hair dryer sits in a PVC pipe, so we don't have to hold it, drying the dab). Needless to say, it is VERY noisy.
This older coot of a customer apparently tried to get my attention, but I couldn't hear him (did I mention it was noisy?). So what does he do? Does he wait until I'm finished? Does he wait until the noise dies down, the get my attention? Of course not. He comes behind the counter and stands behind me and off to my side.
I have no idea he is there. The tints are done dispensing, and I grab the bucket (one gallon), turn to take it to the work table and GAHHH!!! He scared the shit out of me (not literally, thankyouverymuch!)!
So I completely stop, but you know what happens to objects, especially liquids, that are in containers that stop suddenly. They keep moving. Out comes about a half-cup of paint, heading for the customer. Luckily, he wasn't as close as I (now) hoped he would be, so the paint missed him. But it did land at his feet with a big "splort" and spattered his shoes, socks and bare legs.
SC: "Hey, watch it!"
Me: "Why are you behind the counter? Please, get back up front."
SC: "Well, I need help. I need...
Me: "Sir, I'm busy at the moment mixing up about 40 gallons of paint for these customers. And now I have to clean up this paint spill. I'll be with you as soon as I can."
SC: *moving closer to me* "But I need these things NOW! The painter will be at my house tomorrow."
Me: "Sir, I'll help you when I can. And please, stop stepping in the paint."
He looks down at his shoes, moves his foot to the carpet and wipes it off. Thanks, jerkwad! No I have carpet to clean as well.
I put down the paint can, and corral him to the front. He's getting dirty looks from the other customers. After he's in front of the counter, I take the chain and hook it up, closing the gap, making a show of it. I think he got the hint. He left soon after, without his items, as far as I know.
So I lost my groove, had to remake a can of expensive paint, but first I had to clean the floor. Thankfully, it wasn't a major spill and only took a few minutes.
But now I wish I covered that guy in paint. I imagine the whole can just jumping out of my hands and onto him. Oh, that would have made my day.
I've said it time and time again on here: DON'T SNEAK UP ON THE WORKERS!
SC or not, this just reinforces my argument that people need space- I get downright evil when people invade my space. Elbows have a tendency to get jabbed into ribs.
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