Absurd requests/demands

[weeblewobble]

Counted cross stitch SS - I was sitting someplace with a basket of supplies, stitching away (I am a Gemini - I don't make up my mind what I want to stitch, knit, read, or watch tv until the last minute and have been known to change my mind while doing it - I had a spare project or three with me).  Someone came up to me and wanted to go poking through my basket (I'd made an organizer liner & a quilted "lid" to give people the idea that it was NOT open access to the general public) for "something to do".

I sat on Snarky and told them that I didn't have any beginner's projects with me to teach them how to do the stitching....and as the "other" project that I would admit to having with me was a Christmas present for a relative, I didn't want anyone else "helping me" who wasn't a close relative of the intended recipient.  They only got a little huffy - they got called for "their turn" with whatever was going on - no time to get more than a little huffy.

And I started sliding the basket under my chair, if there was space for it to fit - while working on a NEW project - a "portfolio" type of tote with room for several compact projects that was a lot more obviously "mine".  It also fit between my hip and the side of the chair where I was sitting (in a doctor's office or wherever) - keeping other people out of it was easier.

I stopped doing cross-stitch a while ago (don't seem to have the time anymore).  But when I did, friends and family frequently asked 'Is that for me?" when they saw me making something.  Without any hint of the project being for them, they were basically just asking for the item in my hands.  And when I said no, that I had other plans for it, they got really huffy.   "Well, when ARE you going to make me something?"

It got pretty annoying.

[Jones]

I had to make a dreaded trip to the DMV this week to get a new driver's license. I checked all the requirements online, made a phone call, gathered up all my documents into an envelope and took myself to the DMV. Why all the precautions? Because our local office is notorious for sending people for any extra documents. My SIL, for example, had an experience wherein they refused to take her notarized rental agreement as proof of residence.

So I make it to the DMV and park myself at the end of a line that makes a circle around the room. There are 12-15 people in front of me, if you count those who had finished the written test and were waiting in a separate "front of the line" line. The counter was manned with three personnel, all appeared to be working as quickly as they could. One had a woman who had to dig through her purse regularly for needed information and documentation. Yes, those of us in long and boring line were paying close attention to the counter, as there was little else to do and apparently the court building blocked cell phone internet (mine didn't work anyway)...

At the end of the lady's transaction, when all the documents had been checked, vision testing was done and her photo taken, the DMV worker asked her for the fee. There is a huge sign hanging behind the counter with all the fees on it, the sign is not something easily missed, and the print was large enough to read from the back of the line. The lady started arguing with the DMV worker that she should have to pay. The worker eventually had to look the lady in the eye and say "I am sorry but I cannot give you something for nothing." The lady became irate and stomped out, complaining about whyever she would bring MONEY to the freakin' DMV of all places.

She later returned with a check written for a higher amount and became upset the DMV wasn't set up with a till that could give out change (all cash went directly into a safe that could only be opened once a day). She either had to go get another check for the exact amount or donate the extra to the organ donor's fund.

The fee that caused all the drama? USA $13, slightly more than three gallons of gas locally.

[siamesecat2965]

Is that quilt show an annual thing? Because I think I may have just planned next year's vacation!

 Yes, it's annual - and "around the end of October" - but you might want to check out the dates for next year before booking a hotel, as the George R. Brown Convention Center's being booked has caused it to run a week earlier or later, at times.

http://quilts.com/home/index.php

++++++++++++

The comment about the people & their water bills reminds me of the people calling about car insurance claims.....there was the guy who commented "we should have solved this by now" when he'd never reported the accident - even when telling us that he was being taken to court over it.  He also forgot to tell us what county in that state or what the court date was - apparently our psychic powers just were supposed to solve that, too.

Turned out that he bought his policy from us AFTER the accident he was being taken to court over, so the lawyer showed up to tell the judge (in proper legalese) that our insurance company was not involved as the event had happened before we had a contract with the defendant. 

Apparently HE didn't think it was absurd for us to resolve a claim for an accident that was never reported and had happened a couple of months before he bought a policy with our insurance company - but we did

I guess we had a GOOD lawyer in that area, because he somehow managed to track down which courtroom to be in on the right day & time...

I worked for an insurance company when I was younger. We once had an insured call the office from the scene of an accident and demand someone come down there right that moment to give him a check.

My friend had her car vandalised and we caught the guys doing it and they were arrested. Try as I might I could not explain the concept of an excess to her. She had chosen to have a $500 excess and pay cheaper insurance and was most aggrieved she had to pay for the first $500. She even went to the police station expecting them to pay her back for it.

Amazing.  I've been in that sitaution, except it was a deer.  Which ran right into the side of my car, in broad daylight.  And to top it off, I was dumb and didn't have rental coverqe though my insurance, even though I thought I did.  UGH. So I had to not only pay the $500 deductible, but the cost of the car rental. 

Not so much an absurd request, although it COULD turn into one.  On the subject of insurance, i have a friend who's convinced that rental insurance is a scam, and not necesary for tenants, since their possessions are covered by the LANDLORD'S policy.  Um sorry, no. they are not, unless its actions caused by the landlord's negligence that damage your stuff.  So if ever there is anything that happens where she's living, she's in for a rude awakening!

[RegionMom]

Ah, the DMV.

We took DD, aged 15, there recently, to get her learner's permit.  We had all the legal stuff, checked the list on-line, and off we went.

They did not like her personal bank statement as proof of residence, nor her school grade card with her address, nor a piece of college recruitment mail, as proof of address.  The lady actually asked, "Don't you have a water or electric bill in her name?"
(How many minors receive family household bills in their name?)

She finally agreed what we had was ok.

But wait, there's more!

She is a summer b-day, so we were careful that the VoE (Verification of Enrollment) form was good for the summer, with her late July b-day.  If it is done in June and July, the form says it is good for 90 days from issuance. 

What is does NOT say is, "valid 90 days from issuance, unless school has begun again and it is August/September, then you need to go back and get another form."  Never mind that our private school started later.  Never mind that we had a paid tuition bill for the upcoming semester. 

The supervisor would not accept the form, saying that we were reading words into the "valid 90 days from issuance."

But there were no other words to be read!   

We were actually told that in August, we were out of luck. 

I guess any student wanting a permit is August is out of luck?!?!

I was not yet ready for her to start driving, so I did not mind that my baby did get her permit that day, but it was frustratingly crazy.

[Pioneer]

I had a job.  I got laid off from the job.  I was offered, and accepted, a different position with the same company, a few months later.  A temporary assignment, with less pay, no benefits, but when you need a job, you need a job.

One day working at my new job, my former supervisor approached and asked, "Do you know Marcia?  We are rehiring for the position we let you go from, and Marcia has applied."  I was stunned and responded, "Are you telling me that you are HIRING someone else to fill the position you FIRED me from, and you are asking ME to provide a reference?"

[gingerzing]

I had a job.  I got laid off from the job.  I was offered, and accepted, a different position with the same company, a few months later.  A temporary assignment, with less pay, no benefits, but when you need a job, you need a job.

One day working at my new job, my former supervisor approached and asked, "Do you know Marcia?  We are rehiring for the position we let you go from, and Marcia has applied."  I was stunned and responded, "Are you telling me that you are HIRING someone else to fill the position you FIRED me from, and you are asking ME to provide a reference?"

Ouch.  My eyes rolled too hard. 

[HorseFreak]

Ah, the DMV.

We took DD, aged 15, there recently, to get her learner's permit.  We had all the legal stuff, checked the list on-line, and off we went.

They did not like her personal bank statement as proof of residence, nor her school grade card with her address, nor a piece of college recruitment mail, as proof of address.  The lady actually asked, "Don't you have a water or electric bill in her name?"
(How many minors receive family household bills in their name?)

She finally agreed what we had was ok.

But wait, there's more!

She is a summer b-day, so we were careful that the VoE (Verification of Enrollment) form was good for the summer, with her late July b-day.  If it is done in June and July, the form says it is good for 90 days from issuance. 

What is does NOT say is, "valid 90 days from issuance, unless school has begun again and it is August/September, then you need to go back and get another form."  Never mind that our private school started later.  Never mind that we had a paid tuition bill for the upcoming semester. 

The supervisor would not accept the form, saying that we were reading words into the "valid 90 days from issuance."

But there were no other words to be read!   

We were actually told that in August, we were out of luck. 

I guess any student wanting a permit is August is out of luck?!?!

I was not yet ready for her to start driving, so I did not mind that my baby did get her permit that day, but it was frustratingly crazy.

When I was 16 I went to get my permit on my birthday (learner's permit age is 16). I was turned away by a polite lady at the DMV saying it was actually the policy that you had to be 16 + ONE DAY since they didn't know when you actually turned 16 that day. I waited in line for 45 minutes in a terrible section of a crowded city to hear that bizarre rule? There was no mention of this in the handbook and this was before everything was on the internet.

[violinp]

I had a job.  I got laid off from the job.  I was offered, and accepted, a different position with the same company, a few months later.  A temporary assignment, with less pay, no benefits, but when you need a job, you need a job.

One day working at my new job, my former supervisor approached and asked, "Do you know Marcia?  We are rehiring for the position we let you go from, and Marcia has applied."  I was stunned and responded, "Are you telling me that you are HIRING someone else to fill the position you FIRED me from, and you are asking ME to provide a reference?"

Ouch.  My eyes rolled too hard.

Mine too.

[pearls n purls]

A receptionist at work had a caller ask if she had a credit card. Confused, the receptionist replied that she did.  The caller then demanded that the receptionist give her the credit card number and became quite irate when she wouldn't.  I really don't see how that scam could work, but we were all amused by the nerve of the caller.

[Jaelle]

I had a job.  I got laid off from the job.  I was offered, and accepted, a different position with the same company, a few months later.  A temporary assignment, with less pay, no benefits, but when you need a job, you need a job.

One day working at my new job, my former supervisor approached and asked, "Do you know Marcia?  We are rehiring for the position we let you go from, and Marcia has applied."  I was stunned and responded, "Are you telling me that you are HIRING someone else to fill the position you FIRED me from, and you are asking ME to provide a reference?"

Ouch.  My eyes rolled too hard.

Mine too.

Ditto. What did she say??

[Kimblee]

gold & platinum hand quilting needles that won't tarnish or etch from the acids of your skin - I am not kidding

For some of us, these kinds of needles really are a necessity.  My hands perspire a fair amount, especially when doing needlework (where the hand is often semi-closed, which can make the problem worse).  This causes a reaction with steel needles, leaving tarnish and even corrosion, which could ruin the fabric.  Many years ago, my mother, who was part owner of a needlepoint shop, recommended the gold needles, and I've used them ever since.

I can use just about any needle, but I had a set of gold plated needles that I adored. Not because I needed them, but because they're SO pretty.

And I agree... I wanna go to a quilt festival. 

[nuit93]

My mom couldn't understand why I wouldn't take on a full-time unpaid internship ("because it's what all your sister's friends did post-college!") on top of a full time paying job.  Yeah, well, sis's friends also had parents who bought them cars and paid their bills, and who didn't have to work to pay for school.  Oh, yeah, and I was also 'lazy' for not working 40 hours a week and still getting straight A's while being a commuter student.   

So fast forward to a little later when I'm established in a full time job.  A now-ex friend is pissed that I won't consider him as a roommate.  Why?  Because he has no job, refuses to get a job even though he's fully capable (he just kept re-applying for unemployment until it ran out, got a part time job until he got himself fired, then re-applied, all while living on his parents' couch), and couldn't guarantee that he could come up with his share of the rent.  Oh, but *I'M* the bad person for discriminating against someone who's too special to get a job.

[LazyDaisy]

I just overheard my co-irker on another of his entertaining personal calls where he was berating a customer rep at his fitness gym for charging him for his membership dues. You see, he has a back injury and just had surgery and he can't go to the gym for the next year at least, but he wants to keep his membership, just not pay for it until he can go again. His dues are locked in at a particular rate because he signed his contract years ago and it isn't offered to new customers. From what I overheard (can't help it, really) they sound like they're being extremely generous by offering to cancel the remainder of the contract instead of holding him to it for the full amount. Sorry snowflake, you can keep your prime rate by continuing to pay the lower dues even if you aren't using the membership, or you can pay nothing by canceling the membership -- but you can't do both. It doesn't sound like he's going to accept their offer. I hope they just go ahead and cancel his membership and tell him to stuff it.

[VorFemme]

gold & platinum hand quilting needles that won't tarnish or etch from the acids of your skin - I am not kidding

For some of us, these kinds of needles really are a necessity.  My hands perspire a fair amount, especially when doing needlework (where the hand is often semi-closed, which can make the problem worse).  This causes a reaction with steel needles, leaving tarnish and even corrosion, which could ruin the fabric.  Many years ago, my mother, who was part owner of a needlepoint shop, recommended the gold needles, and I've used them ever since.

I can use just about any needle, but I had a set of gold plated needles that I adored. Not because I needed them, but because they're SO pretty.

And I agree... I wanna go to a quilt festival. 

I also found the gold needles easier to find on beige carpet!  Or chocolate brown couches!  Or if pinned into my clothing for short term storage - even without any floss in them - the gold glinted more brightly.

There is a quilt festival in Atlanta, Georgia - I think later this week (I'm in Houston - nowhere near Atlanta) and one in Houston, Texas in early November - www.quilts.com - I am not affiliated with them, just worked as casual labor hanging quilts, taking quilts down & packing them, and so forth two of the last three years (my first grandchild came a month early in 2010 and disrupted my plans to work that year - being so cute & all, I forgave him).

[tiff019]

I just overheard my co-irker on another of his entertaining personal calls where he was berating a customer rep at his fitness gym for charging him for his membership dues. You see, he has a back injury and just had surgery and he can't go to the gym for the next year at least, but he wants to keep his membership, just not pay for it until he can go again. His dues are locked in at a particular rate because he signed his contract years ago and it isn't offered to new customers. From what I overheard (can't help it, really) they sound like they're being extremely generous by offering to cancel the remainder of the contract instead of holding him to it for the full amount. Sorry snowflake, you can keep your prime rate by continuing to pay the lower dues even if you aren't using the membership, or you can pay nothing by canceling the membership -- but you can't do both. It doesn't sound like he's going to accept their offer. I hope they just go ahead and cancel his membership and tell him to stuff it.

For what it's worth - some gyms do have a medical exemption where you can essentially put your membership on hold (often for a small monthly fee - my old gym was $10 a month) with a doctor's note so you can keep your prime rate/contract but not have to pay fully while you are out of commission. That totally doesn't excuse him if he was rude to the person on the other end of the line though.