We are living in times of uncertainty and chaos, partly because the world has been lead astray by well meaning leaders, and partly because most people who inhabit the world, don't really care about good stewardship or governance.

Have you  noticed that the goods and services that we receive today, are far more inferior to the olden days of Industry and Commerce?

As consumers why do we find ourselves pleading with people to give us satisfactory services?

In the new Millenium, we as consumers, practically have to beg workers to handle our accounts properly and tend to our pressing concerns.

People are just not as dedicated or committed to their tasks as days gone by. This is caused, primarily because Companies are no longer loyal to their employees, so they are resolute not to give their all . Most workers will only do the bare minimum in order to occupy their days and collect their wages.

Then there are also the "caste system struck", who feel that individuals who are not ranking in the top echelon of life are not worthy of proper goods and services, and Believe It or Not, corporations endorse their behaviors!

Being a customer or a client on the receiving end of peoples' frustrations can be quite disconcerting and downright exasperating.

Therefore, I often find myself pondering the world of Customer Service incivility. How many of you can identify with calling up a service oriented company and are plagued with inhospitable behavior and indiffference? and if those violations aren't enough, one usually has to make a bevy of calls before receiving any kind of satisfaction.

This experience may seem insignificant and trivial, but on the wheel of life, they are insight to the future of the world that will unfold. I remember one week in particular being exasperated after dealing with utility companies, that I sat down on a chair, pondering, "Why are folks who are service oriented, so difficult at times?"

I mulled this mystery until, as they say, in Jamaica, "mi head start fi urt mi".

My frustration lead me to a daydream, where I found my Granny Gheeta sitting on a rock in Heaven, while wearing a crimson and forest green sari. As usual, Granny Gheeta was preoccupied with her sari not touching the ground in heaven, while the fog circulated.

She turned to me and said, "Sweetheart don't worry your brain about those old devil worshippers. Because that is what they are. God's people are usually quick, efficient, compassionate, and very helpful people. They flow with a sense of purpose. These devil people are here on earth to get decent, welll meaning folks crazy, and besides themselves with worry. Eventually robbing them of their joy and peace."

I turned to her and said, "Granny, sometimes I think it's me, but I speak the Queen's english and these individuals are so disrespectful, deceptive and despicable in their tones!!!!"

Granny calmly said, "I know love. They rile you up so much sometimes that you just want to banish them to hell."

I looked at her in amazement and replid, "Oh Granny, so you do understand?'

Granny remarked, "More than you think. Although folks may say that good Karma follows you, if you perform kind deeds in your life, that is not necessarily true. Sometimes the sweeter and kinder you are, people are unnerved by this. So they give you a hard way to go. That is why when Granny was around, I always challenged you to be an old battle axe. You gotta fight fire with fire!"

I sighed a heavy sigh, revealing my burdened heart, "But Granny, I don't want to be fighting or battling with people all the time. I should be able to tell them what I want or need and they should be happy to serve. Any person in the world should be able to have this right."

Granny looked around at the garden and the trees, smiled and continued, "Ahhh, when you give a double dosage of medicine that they have given to you. Then you will have cooled their pudding."

I kept repeating what Granny Gheeta had said to find the meaning, however, her parables always seemed to mystify me.

"Okay my love, in other words, if they are nasty to you, give them NASTINESS to the superlative level. If they are decent with you, be gracious, yet watchful, and leave them to simmer."

Then I thought, perhaps my grandmother had some credence with her explanations.  I know from speaking with my peers, that they too, have experienced, callous, non-cooperative, rude, customer service employees. So what was their deal?

Granny went on, "I can't begin to speak for the whole world, but I can say , the world is not what it used to be. Folks just don't care. If people united, and said that what they are doing is wrong. Only then, would real change happen. I know that you cannot let "good-for-nothing" people wreck, ruin or upset your life with their mind games and chicanery. You have to fight back with a double, or even a triple dose of DISGUSTINGNESS.....The message will speak loud and clear."

I looked at her as if I was searching for a magic wand, "Granny, true...? You really think so?"

"You are my Grandaughter, and I have told you on several occasions that you are much too nice. You know what they say, "Nice guys finish last". Shake up their world and let them see how it feels. Niceness is sometimes overrated."

Then a strong wind crept in, and Granny Gheeta was gone. I felt refreshingly better for being able to share my feelings of disenchantment and angst with her. However, I was eager to "lambaste" the next individual who gave me a hard time.

Growing up, school teachers and our parents encourage us to be good girls and boys, or to be nice. Yet, they never tell us how to react when people aren't nice to us. Only certified, crazy people overreact for no reason. If a crazy person is questioned, I am sure in the small recesses of their mind, there are reasons lurking for their bizarre outbursts or behavior..

Therefore, if someone mashes your corn, or simply refuses to be attentive to needs and inquiries, just give them a super, deluxe dose of whatever they are serving up!

Bon Apetite! 

Tags: Granny Gheeta Speaks Beyond The Grave