I woke up early this morning because K had an early meeting--it was nice having time to wake up slowly--I even got to check my email in bed!
My MetroCard expired on Saturday, so I had to get a new one before I could get on a train. I know the navigation sequence on those buttons like the back of my hand; I barely have to look. Get a new card. Unlimited. 30-day. Credit card. Swipe, ZIP code, enter...and nothing. The machine sat there, "processing payment," for like a minute and a half. I stood and looked at it. The guy next to me was having the same issue. We looked at each other. I watched someone on the third machine on my other side try to pay with a debit card, and watched the machine reject it. Cash seemed to be working just fine.
A train came and went.
I went to chat with the lady in the booth. Explained the situation, asked her if she could let me through. She threw me some attitude, but also made a valid point: the thing took cash, and she had rules to follow. I said I understood.
So, I'm standing at the bank of Metrocard machines, trying to stomach the idea of getting cash (thus making myself late and paying an ATM fee), when she calls me back over to the booth.
"Can you hear me?" she said. I nodded. "People don't usually come up to me all pleasant. Go through that gate."
Monday, November 05, 2007
Honey and Vinegar
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12 comments:
It's always good to approach the service rep or whoever is helping you with a kind, gentle attitude. It usually works out to your benefit at the end.
However, if you are still met with sour attitude. Time to turn up the heat!
This is a perfect example of kindness goes a long way. =)
way to go!!!! kill 'em with kindness, why it even works for the mta. great story :)
My card expired on Saturday too. Every time I think I have a little extra change jingling around in my pocket--BAM!--expired card.
Anyone on this thread know if metrocards tax deductible? No one seems to be able to agree on this and I'm wondering if I should be holding on to my receipts.
the captain - I buy my metrocard with pretax dollars as a benefit with my employer. Perhaps you can see if your employer will do the same?
@anonymous Unfortunately, I am a "contingency professional," which basically means I'm paid by a temp agency.
Doesn't it seem unfair that only employees of certain employees enjoy the pretax metro card benefit?
The Captain, I also buy my Metrocard as part of a flexible spending benefit through my employer. It does seem pretty unfair that some working folks get the tax benefit and some don't, since we obviously all need to get to work the same amount.
I read this on my lunch today and it made me smile. What a happy story. :)
so glad to see that people still value courtesy!
Well done. I'm a HUGE believer in Karma.
That's a great story!
(I'm also glad you didn't have to pay the ATM fee. That would be doubly irritating!)
As they say it pays to be nice.
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