Available – Trained Census Worker

Completed my training. Completed our team excursion to fill out our first questionnaires. Generally our experience was great. Only one respondent didn’t answer the door and instead let his dog out in the yard with instructions to bark. I’ve done that.
I was the Team Lead, and the newly designated Crew Leader Assistant. The team of three others was wonderfully enthusiastic! Couldn’t wait to grab a form and knock on those doors. And there is Diane, ADHD. I do not deal well with people with mental disorders. I’m German; dealing with ADHD has got to be a German’s worst work nightmare. I tend toward the order, anal, neat and precise traits. Working with an ADHD person is like herding cats.
Diane is argumentative, unfocused, misunderstands information, gets fixated on an issue and you can’t get her off. Well, like classic ADHD. We had TWO of them in the class! What the hell is going on in our society?
But we got through it. And then yesterday I’m sitting in my apartment living room making a minor repair to a chair when I see a car drive up and park right in front of my patio. There is a US Census – Frequent Stops sign in the front window (needs to be in the back window). And I get a buzz on the intercom and then a knock on the door. Another resident let her in; she does have ID, so I guess it’s okay.
I was her first respondent interviewed by her solo. I had to help her with the form. I also had to train her again since she got a lot of misinformation from her Crew Leader, or she misunderstood a lot. She had no idea of how she should to approach apartment complexes. You can’t tape Notice of Visit to outside doors; they have to be places at the door of the unit which is why you first go to the Office before going to individual units.
I let my previous Crew Leader know people are getting incorrect training. It will be costing extra time and money with additional needless visits.
Meanwhile, here I wait for my new assignment as we are being reassigned. Our group did not receive our binders as expected, on Friday. We were told we will be getting a call re getting our binders on Monday. The government works in mysterious ways. It is Monday; do you know where your case binder is?

Tips for the Drive Thru

Getting ready for a quick trip to pick up a latte? Whether you are alone in your car, with a group of friends, or trying to maneuver with four kids yelling in the back of your van, here are 10 tips to improving your experience:

1. The drive thru is not the place to empty your piggybank! Maybe this is a sign that we really are in a recession when you have to raid the kid’s savings to buy a cup of java.
2. If you are so particular about the coffee blend you drink (dark roast or light, Ethiopian or Kona) why do you require five sugars and two inches of cream in it? Even the gas station stuff tastes better disguised under all that milk and sugar. Or you’re too cheap to order a real latte.
3. The drive thru window is not the city dump. Just because we are giving you a nice new cup doesn’t mean you have to turn in all the old sticky ones that have been rolling around in your vehicle for days. It will not earn you a refund or recycling credit.
4. Get off the cell phone! Maybe then you can actually manage to listen to the attendant, give your order, and actually use your arm to reach out the window for the drink. Oh yes, don’t drive off without it.
5. Remember to ask for ALL the stuff you want while you are standing at the speaker. Do not wait until you are up at the window to ask for cream in the coffee, a glass of water, and, oh, can I have a straw, and Miss, can you also give me a packet of honey, oh please can I have another packet of honey… Maybe you need to come inside to the considment counter.
6. We will gladly put your drink in your personal cup and even give you a discount for your environmentally conscious habits. This means thermal style insulated cup one purchased. It does not mean one of our old paper cups. Now we are back to throwing out your trash and you will not get a cup discount nor a cheap refill.
7. Don’t wait until you get to the window to look for your cash or credit card. You have been waiting in line for 10 minutes; what the hell were you doing in all that time sitting on your ass?
8. Drive closer to the window! I am not a gymnast. I am not Gumby. I cannot stretch more than my body length. I cannot have someone hold my ankles as I try to extend out the window to hand you your beverage.
9. Don’t ask me to explain all the coffee bean varieties we offer for sale. Were you perhaps not aware that you can actually get out of your vehicle and enter the store? It is safe, smells good, and we have staff eagerly waiting to sell you overpriced coffee without holding up the line of cars waiting behind you. And I bet you are one of those who complain about the length of time you have to wait at the drive thru. Oh, and you want the beans ground, also?
10. Also please remember that once at the window, we are looking
down into your car – cover yourself, please – at that cleavage and those flabby thighs.

And have a nice Day!!!