A delemia for PMM

Hi Gang:
    I started this new job. I have mentioned it before.  I am the supervisor for a crew of 4 that cleans a Ritzy department store here where I live.  I actually don't think the store is all that great, but that is another story.

My situation is this. You can't believe how the store employees turn their nose up at me because I am nothing but a maid so to speak in their eyes.  I mean each day more employess than not, will walk right by me even though I say hello to them.  I have experienced  this on more than one occasion.  What gives.  What is it with some people who have no manners to return a "Good Morning."

How do I not let it get to me?  I am just as good as them, just because I clean for money I need to eat and live.

Has anyone else ever experienced this kind of thing, and if so , how did you handle it?

It is making me depressed each day before I go into the store.  :'(

I am a soft person, and treat all people equal. I would never dream of looking down at people for what they do for a living, unless it was illegal and against society.

                          Thanks gang:
                                PMM

I hate people that think they're better than everyone else. UGH!
I'm sorry you have to go to work everyday and deal with snob-nosed,"my s**t doesn't stink" doo-doo heads.
If you come clean my house, not only will I say Good Morning, but I'll make you dinner & a few cocktails! 

I, 2, have encountered people w/ attitudes; when I pass some1 in the hall @ work, or wherever, I ALWAYS greet them w/ a smile & a 'good morning,' 'good afternoon,' whatever.
On the few occasions where they completely ignore me, I've said " Oh, I'm sorry, but typically when some1 greets u, it's good manners 2 acknowledge them back."  Of course, I say it sweetly, w/ no malice.  This has always worked.
As 4 the type of work that u do...... I THINK IT'S TERRIFIC! U should hold your head high & be proud........

do they work commision?  if so thats the crux of it!!!!!!!  i watched my mom get treated like a no one (at that time she was only woman to make it that far  to threaten their thing) anyways .......  people who have to sell sell sell (mom worked for jcpennys)  cant seem to think of anyone else except as "compitition"  if they dont make certain amount of sales per DAY they get arses chewed my mom had nervous breakdown i was 11 and man did she change....................any who im just a happy happy person and when ive been treated as such (menial labor  i wastressed but bussed tables first) I made it an absolute point to get their attention  and say hello how r u? then the kicker is a compliment believe me compliments get you everywhere  but be sincere....................even the elephant man had a great deep voice 
if they dont respond id even ask "are you feeling ok today?"  lol    im a bubbly thing         

you have utterly NO reason to feel in anyway bad of yourself!!!!!!!!!  people are self absorbed sometimes

PMM, I used to work in a retail store, one I'm sure many are familiar with, Walmart. Even the customers sometimes looked down on me because I worked there. I happen to have enjoyed my job very much, I enjoy working with people. I worked my way up from a cashier to Dept. Manager in less than a year and had alot of pride in myself. I managed almost every department in our store within a period of ten years. The way I look at it someone had to do the job and it was me. I was paid pretty fairly for the work I did and it left me with a sense of pride so I didn't really care what anyone else thought. Just be proud of yourself and hold your head high. I'm sure you do a great job and you can stand back and be proud of what you have accomplished. Hang in there my friend.

Your all so wonderful to answer my post with your kind words and advice.

Thank you so much. 

I feel better already. I really do....

                                                        PMM

Hey PMM we should have talked about this in chat room the other night. Remember I told ya I clean a school. I understand what you are goin through. People tend to treat us like we are on the bottom of the ladder. This is even happeneing to me at a church where one of our classrooms are!
      I honestly LOVE my job I get holidays paid off and think of it this way for a short time you have to deal with these people and only in passing right? Well just go about what you need to do and hold your head high cause if you and your crew wasnt there. They would have to clean up the pee on the seats, empty the trash with smelly used feminine products and dirty diapers,rub those black marks off the tile, mop those floors and vacuum. Take pride in how it looks when your done and forget those people.
     One more thing that its very hard to do but maybe think that they have to deal with all those nasty people who are never happy and could have a twinge of jealousy towards you thinking "shes got it so easy!"
                                      Sister-in-cleaning
                                                           louiseff
   

Well PMM im sure it has to do with feces on seat, wall (i couldnt believe someone did that!) or floor. And man you can tell when someone had diahrea! Whats irritating is when it dries and you have to scrub the little bits left with the brush!  LMAO

A big Thank you Lips. Your words are kind and supportive as always. So many of you have answered tonight and it just makes my heart feel better knowing I am understood and supported in my situation.

I guess the worst I have to deal with is the lady who sells Jewelry. She is the biggest snob I have ever come across. She won't even look me in the eyes. Like if she does the I might give her germs or cooties.

These people come in , in their fancy clothes , and then theres me in my work uniform. (Which is always pressed and clean by the way.)

I just know after all the kind words and posts I have read tonight I will go in there tomorrow and just laugh at them when they snub me next time.  

Yet isnt it a shame that this kind of thing happens at all.

                                                            PMM

Helloooooooooo PMM,

It is funny how I just got home from Las Vegas and read your post. I have worked for a major retail chain for 21 years before I retired, and let me tell you something, if it wasn't for you and your cleaning crew those snobs would be out of a job! No one likes to shop in a dirty store now mater what social class they are in. What you and your crew do makes sure customers come back to a clean store.

PMM, don't let them get to you, your a wonderful woman and to me as long as you are working and making an honest living you have nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed or feel bad about yourself for what you do. I for one applaud you because if it were me, and those snobs did that to me I would say something not to nice to say to them.

And for the one snob who sells jewelry, next time she snubs you wait a little while and say this " Wow I just love your necklace, I saw that in Walmart and just knew it was a great deal, so I picked one up too." That will get her goat, and you will have the last laugh. And she will be brewing over it every time she sees ya, and when you walk by her just smile and say Hello, have a nice day!

Keep your head up and stay smiling, because in my book, your way above them!

LH

I hear you loud and clear PMM. I too did the bathroom janitorial bit and it really was a toss-up as to who was the worst. I'll never forget the time one lady reamed me in the lunchroom because of the stall didn't have enough tp for her.

Sooooo..I cranked up the flush power of the toilet and the cussing that went on afterwards was a laugh as she then asked why and in front of the employees I said "Well, I did it so you didn't have to wipe so much!"

I reset them later and she never complained.

But yes, I know how it is and as they say "Be nice to those on your way up, because as you come down, you'll meet them again" They are in for some bad karma one way or another...

Awwwww Pam,

Do I need to fly out there and tell em all to @@@@ @@@!!!  hehe 

You just keep being the wonderful person you are!!!!  Keep on saying "Hi" cuz even though they are turning their nose up at ya.  You probably really are making their day.

Keep your chin up! 

Dear PMM,
Sometimes people who act like they are better than others are the most insecure people in the world and the really sad thing is they don't even know it, it took me a long time to realize that and I think if more young kids knew it too they would not have to submit to peer pressure and being bullied in school( like I was and so many others were ),so when you say hello to one of these idiots who have to work just like you do and they turn up their nose, well just laugh because they are the ones with the problem, not you. They are just putting on a false front, but are probably really miserable inside, keep your head up because it takes a small person to act like that.
Allyoop/Allyson

Hey Pam,

When I was at school and old enough, I always took a job during the school holidays.

This one particular year, I managed to secure a job as a temporary member of staff at a catering firm.  They supplied the workers etc etc. 

I had to travel by train to the job each day and one particular day, I was wiping down the tables and this guy was still sitting there waiting.  He had this smug look on this face and I couldn't figure out why.  (It was a huge insurance company and this was their canteen).

Anyway, I lifted the empty cups to put them on my trolley thing and there was a half pence piece (yes that long ago - out of circulation over here now) under the cup.  I placed the cup on the trolley, got my cloth and "wiped" the half pence onto the floor.  As I did so, I said to this smug git whilst looking him straight in the eyes, "you need it more than me".  Ahhh - the wonderful look on his face was perfect - he looked confused, angry, shocked all at once.  It was priceless.  I smiled, turned on my heels and left him with that look on his face.

Point of the story - I've said this before I know - but my Mum always said to me, you are as good as anyone else, no better but as good.  Pam these are words that you should remember as you walk past these ignorant morons who consider themselves better than you.

Next time you say good morning and they ignore you - carry on walking but put your head up high.  Remember who ignored you.  Never say it to them again.  Remember to look at them with "pity" in your eyes next time you see them for these people are jumped up, up their own a** saddos who clearly do not have a decent bone in their body.  Your as good as they are, no better but as good as.  You are a proud woman and you must stay that way and hold your head high.  These people are just not worth the pain.

blue

Hey PMM,

I hear ya and I feel for you. I have no time for those who think their sh*t don't stink! Surprise it does  As far as I am concerned noone is better than anyone else, we are all equal (or it should be that way) I too have been in similar situations at work and it can be so difficult to put up with.

Share a story with ya.... I was working as a receptionist in the Medical field. I was moved to a different clinic to help out. Went on my coffee break, I get to the kitchen and it's filled with the nurses.  As soon as I walked in the room the conversation stopped and everyone stared at me. So being the friendly goof that I am I said Good Morning to them. Every single one of them ignored me and kept staring. So I thought whateverrr you rude bunch of b*tches so I went right on making my coffee. I could feel the eyes staring at me and noone said a word, they just kept looking me up and down it was just horrible I couldn't wait to get out of there. I kept thinking don't spill the sugar, don't drop the cup I was that uncomfortable in there. When I had finished making my coffee I turned around to a room full of staring eyes and said "right then ladies I'm about to leave... so would you like to take a photo for when I'm gone it will last longer!"  Left the room with a few jaws on the floor but it felt good. 

You know it took a little time but in the end they all came around. We can't expect to get along with everyone but I don't think a little common courtesy is too much to ask 

At the end of the day people who behave this way have issues themselves. They are not happy within themselves and what they do and by treating you and others this way it makes them feel better about themselves. It's really not about you at all its about them.

You are a beautiful person just keep on being you!!

Remember a job does not define you (that's what you do for  a living).... it's not who you are. Bottom line that is what matters.

Chin up.

Meg 

Thx lovely, 

I know exactly what you mean! In a way we really should feel bad for these people. Just sad that some people feel the need to pull others down in order to pull themselves up.

When they are looking at you with their nose up so high they can't see down.. run the mop across their shoes, wisp the broom too.."how are you today?"  shake your duster in their lunch lounge.. leave some trails of mop water on the floor and as they come sliding by you sneezing on their high-headed tooshies, wink, smile and say have a nice day...

... ...

LMAO.....

I love your approach. Made me laugh out loud..

Thanks to everyone who has replied. I never dreamed all of you would care so much to respond in the way you all did.

It means so much to me

                                                  PMM