The story of the green purse...

[msfledermaus]

Yesterday I was working on one of the doors at the Jade Mines when a girl came through with a big green leather bag, which she checked at the desk across the way. The desk ladies and I quietly marveled that someone would willingly wear leg-warmers and flip-flops at the same time, but shrugged it off and went on with our merry little workday. And was that the end of it? No no Noooooooo no!

We closed at the usual time, and the girl didn't come back for her bag. So everybody did what they were supposed to do--the desk lady checked it, I watched her do it, we locked the building up and she went home while I went to my next post. And of course, the girl came back--20 minutes after the whole museum was closed for the night. In a panic, she was--her car keys and house keys and everything were in that bag, which was now snugly back in the safe--the safe that we didn't have keys for, since it didn't belong to our department.

So after various clever attempts, (which all failed) we got the director of the department to come and unlock the safe for her. The whole time she was waiting, (which was admittedly a long time--about an hour) she sulked--litterally sulked, when it was obvious that we were doing everything in our power to help her and in fact had put off GOING HOME to help her. At least when she got her bag back she was grateful, but we had to sit through an hour of snotty comments to get there...*rolls eyes.*

So let that be a lesson to all you Museum goers--be kind to the staff people; they may be staying late to help get the bag you left behind, for no other reason than that they care enough about you that they don't want to leave you stranded in the parking lot all night...

Now back to more clip-on tie antics:)

Comments

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

Mausi, please understand I am not making excuses for the girl...but I suspect she was embarassed and was covering by making snotty remarks so that you would all feel as stupid as she obviously felt.

Aren't you all nice! If I ever lose a purse, I hope it's at the Jade Mines.

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

I know--if I had a nickel for every person I've met who does some version of that "covering up the embarrasment by making it someone else's fault" tactic. I understand the psychology, I just get weary of seeing so much of it:/

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

Yes, it's kind of like "but the Professor doesn't like me, that's why I got a bad grade." kind of thing. Never the fault of the person whose fault it really is.

YOu're a sweet and kind person!

[pianolessdevil.livejournal.com]

We have similar issues like that at the library, but instead of purses being left behind, they leave their children behind. How can you leave your child behind? In a locked library, no less?!!

You guys were very nice to stay behind and wait. ^_^

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

Wow...really?!?! KIDS?!?! Holy crap!!! What do you do then? Did you ever have to call chold services or something?

And yes, we were waaaaaaay over the top nice to save her butt--we weren't even the department she needed; they all went home for the night 10 minutes before she got there.

[banana.livejournal.com]

> What do you do then?
Put them in the safe until morning, obviously.

[pianolessdevil.livejournal.com]

Well, luckily the woman realized her kid was still in there as we were walking into the back office to leave. She started banging on the door. Our head librarian unlocked the door and released the giggling child into the lobby and safely into Mommy's arms. ^_^

The kid was actually hiding from Mommy in the bathroom. Good place to hide if you're small and it's dark - which it was. It was a good thing we didn't have to call the police. It would've looked bad on us lib. people for not looking everywhere when we close.

[magicwoman.livejournal.com]

I guess I might be subject to some of this behavior when I start my information guide duties at the Walker next weekend. I hope not. I think you did all you could - this person was just ungrateful.

Susan

Whoo! That's really cool!

[msfledermaus.livejournal.com]

Oh, definitely. Brace yourself good, lady--individual people are charming, warm, intelligent and clever, but the screaming masses of humanity are a nightmare of ignorance, greed, irresponsibility and destructive impulses. And you, brave soul, have taken it as your mission to edumacate them in intimate groups of 12 to 50 or so.

Just remember--the guards are your best allies if you cultivate them early. When that school group is trying to free-climb the sculptures you'll need those guards to lay the smackdown. And since they're around the art all day every day, they can add some excellent and accurate art reviews if you get a little time to ask them about pieces in the galleries. they'll be delighted, I assure you--I always am:)

Re: Whoo! That's really cool!

[magicwoman.livejournal.com]

I'm very excited about the opportunity! I can't wait - especially getting to see (with no crowds) the Kahlo exhibit tonight!

Great advice. Definitely will cultivate relationships with the guards. They are everywhere. I'm sure "free" Saturdays will be the worst - the masses!

Susan

[roadskoller.livejournal.com]

Wearing leg warmers with flip flops makes people snotty and irritable. And how come she didn't know her bag was still at the museum if her car keys were in there?

[emschin.livejournal.com]

"Wearing leg warmers with flip flops makes people snotty and irritable"
Oh, yes! It's definitely a cause and effect!

[bbcaddict.livejournal.com]

man that reminds me of the jackass that brought his groceries into the cafe @ B&N and DEMANDED that we put them in the refridgerator.
We put them in the freezer instead and three hours later he bitched that his milk was frozen. heheheheeh
we told him that the "fridge" was "on high" due to food service regulations. >:)