Tiara Me Sue

12 THE GOD I SERVE Common rules of etiquette discourage discussions of politics or religion in polite company. While I’ve never been considered ‘polite company’ and my adherence to any form of etiquette is usually questionable, I have learned that if I want to get along with people in general, it is helpful to keep that guideline in mind. Unfortunately, there are times when it is unavoidable; people are who they are because of their beliefs. I can avoid the subject of politics easily enough because my belief (or current disbelief) in my country’s choice of president has nothing to do with who I am, but my ‘religious’ (for lack of a better word) beliefs do. When what I do, say or am comes into question, the answer always tunnels down to my beliefs and my religion – or presumed lack of. Religion, faith, and beliefs are wonderful to have – and we all do, whether or not any of us realize we are acting on them; they are all basically the same idea, too, but the word ‘religion’ seems...

My child has a job at a pizza place taking phone orders.   Tonight a call came in from an extremely rude customer, who was angry and swearing from the get-go. At one point, he was asked to hold on a moment because B had to put in his credit card number a second time because one number was wrong. The customer was politely asked to ‘hold on a moment; I made a mistake with your card number and have to put in in again.‘ His response was to yell, “Oh, yeah, that’s the problem; maybe you should go home and study next time!” If you’ve ever spoken to my child and heard her voice – especially over the phone – you KNOW you are speaking to a child and not an adult – and this jackass thinks he has the right to speak to a minor like that? I asked B if she told her manager about this customer, and she said no. When I asked why, she said, “Because I made a mistake.” This bothers me. First of all, I think my child needs to stand up for herself a little more in general; I have always ...