Grumpy Old Men

Stella: Why do crazy people just walk in an office and start saying things like “Banner Life! Hello? Banner life?” What are you supposed to say? “NO! My name is NOT Banner Life. I wish you would say something else besides Banner Life because I don’t know what the hell you are talking about!” We deal with some of the most idiotic people on a day to day basis. They don’t even know what they are doing, but they’ve been in the business 25+ years so you can’t even try to tell them anything. I probably shouldn’t say hell. It will offend our mother.

Loki: True. Oh so true on all accounts here. (Banner Life is a name of a company that we deal with...but not our name nor our business' name) I hate it when someone calls in just to complain.. And let’s face it- the only thing these agents do is complain! They say, “I have been doing business for 50 years, and I have never heard of that!” Meanwhile, I am thinking… “You are stupid. This is common knowledge.” I will have to re-explain something basic that happens at least twice a week since I’ve been here for the past 5 years. It’s hard to sound sympathetic or nice for that matter. Im not very good and sounding concerned when I really think you are an idiot. I don’t know what it is… old age maybe? (Yes, it’s OLD AGE.) It’s men who should have retired 30 years ago. Go enjoy your golden years or silver years or whatever the hell it’s called! (I just wanted to say hell too.) Seriously, quit trying to sell life insurance and buy some on yourself! Okay, that wasn’t nice. I will be sad when one of them departs this Earth. But they cannot understand the concept of change. “Why when I started this business there was just 2 questions on the application and now there are 50 pages!” This is an exaggeration on both parts. It’s sorta like the old saying about how “when I was your age, I walked to school uphill, in the snow, barefoot both ways!”

Stella: Not only are these grumpy old men stupid; they are RUDE and HATEFUL. They will call you just to scream and gripe at you. I agree- they should all retire and go home and gripe at their own wives or grandchildren. Do you think they are really this mean to them to? I would much rather go back to working in the women’s retail store where the only old man I ever saw was the one who came in and tried on a dress. Now he was a nice man! He even wanted my opinion on which dress looked better on him. And me, being the wonderful person I am, told him the purple one was much better than the black & white.

Loki: What?! Im confused. Seriously a man came in to try on a dress? I guess its not that surprising... but we live in the middle of America, not LA. I think it would be fun to see an old man try to dress like a woman ...errr or gross. Some of these old men are smelly too. I mean the knock your socks off smelly as in Ive just dumped a whole bottle of cologne on to hide my onion breath and cigerette smoke. They also walk in adjusting their hairpeice. hahah its HILARIOUS. I think they are here to check out their girlfriend, PR. Seriously they think they can score a date with her. I dont really understand the attraction...but these men are always talking about taking her out. She eggs it on though by referring to them as her boyfriends. Its pretty disturbing if you ask me. PR is not even close to their age... but she isnt as young as us so I guess that makes it better. I mean she is like their children's age.. not their grandchildren's age.

We also have the "new agents"...you know the ones that are in their early 20s. They come in and are dressed up in their father's suits trying to look professional. They have no idea what they are doing either. We have to teach them how to do their job as well. I always find it funny when one comes in and I didnt know they were young. They typically have old sounding names, you know John or Sam (probably their fathers as well) . We have to shake hands you know and introduce ourselves ... and since I am a woman I obviously can not shake hands hard. I HATE it when someone limp wrist handshakes. Grab my hand and give it a good shake. Gee. So we have the baby cubs and the old geezers, which do you prefer?

Wow we sound grumpy today... here is something to make me happy.