This person deserves your respect. ‘IMG_0141’ (c) 2009 Sebastian Brinkenfeldt. Used under a Creative Commons license. (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode)
Hello, darlings.
I’m afraid today, I am going to be on my soapbox a little. I’ve been extremely positive this month, what with the good news about Stevie’s new company and everything, but there’s something I have to get off my chest this time around. It’s not even aimed at you in particular, it’s just a general gripe I have now that I’ve worked as a courier for a little while.
The other day, we were having a bit of a slow day at work, so I was sitting around with the lads – Stevie’s mates – having tea and chatting about life in general. Most of these boys have either had owner driver jobs or worked in delivery, in some form or another, in the past, so I was the newbie in the room. That’s why, when they started trading horror stories, I didn’t really chip in with any, but mostly listened to theirs.
And darlings, I was horrified.
Now, I’d heard the rumours about snippy customers before, and I knew they existed. I’d even had a few before myself. But I’d chalked most of it up to exaggeration – you know how people love to pretend their life and job are more tragic than everyone else’s, right?
But my darlings, they’re true. All those boys could be not be wrong. Difficult customers are much more common than you and I might think, and people with owner driver jobs are one of the demographics who has to deal with them the most. Some of the things those boys said were shocking to someone like me, whose most extensive experience with bad customers was getting mildly ribbed about a burnt bacon buttie!
And that leads me to my rant. Now that I am ‘one of them’ (well, at least partially), I feel like I have to stick up for those with owner driver jobs, and their rights as human beings. People tend to forget that delivery drivers are providing them with a commodity – in this case, keeping them from having to leave the house to get their parcels or food. They are helping you out. Which is why you should help them out too, by being polite and thankful and making them feel good about the job they chose to do.
People who use others to feel good about themselves really rub me the wrong way, and from what I’ve heard, the lads and lasses who work owner driver jobs come across a lot of these – much like retail workers and food service employees. What’s worse, they can’t respond in kind, because they have to keep their smile and professional attitude on. So they are always on the back foot. It’s not very fair, is it?
That’s why I ask you, my darlings – the next time you feel like being rude or inconsiderate to a delivery driver or anyone else, remember: they are people just like you, and they are providing you with something you need. You may be having a bad day, but they have plenty of them, too. So instead of snipping at them, smile and thank them for their effort – maybe it’s not their fault they are late, did you think of that?
I know I can trust you lot who read my blog to do this, but make those who don’t – and who engage in such behaviours – aware as well. Delivery drivers are people, and they deserve your respect!
Rant over. Phew!
- Gertie
x
