Just To Make A Point

How well I remember a sign posted in the university free-use computer lab:
Your Procrastination Is Not Our Emergency
I laughed at this pronouncement, until I was in a self-inflicted crisis that truly was a make-it or break-it situation for my grade. Thanks to putting it off, I was down to the final hour and panicked! At those moments, this sign was more ominous than humorous.

While I was working in retail, I saw more than ever the need to post this same sign as a warning to all customers. I mean, yah, we’ve all been there-needing a last minute gift for someone-or trying desperately to buy something for those hard-to-shop-fors on your list. It is the attitude that makes all the difference, and anyone in retail knows it. You have to paste on a smile, no matter how aggravating the customer is, and bear with their stupidity. But oh how I would have liked to use that phrase, adapted, say, like this: “I’m sorry, sir, but your choice to shop on Christmas Eve 7 minutes before our store closes, makes it very hard for me to special order this item engraved with ‘To my darling Hepsibah’ and have it in time for Christmas morning.”

I’m sure everyone has had a customer, client or boss who wants the desired item or service to be ready before it is even requested. Of course, it is human nature to blame the other person, so those lowest on the job totem pole get the brunt of “Rush” requests. Wouldn’t it satisfy you clear down to your toes to look at your boss in such a circumstance and say “Your procrastination is not my emergency,” and get away with it? Well, we can all dream right?