[Cameron]

Alright, so I work in a pet store. Been there for about a year now. Thinking of putting my two weeks in once class starts again, and become a full time student. But that's another story.

One of the managers, who's name shall be Flamingo, has been... a bit of an ass. Why do I call him Flamingo? why not?
Anyways, I've been through boot camp three times. I've spent four years of my life being yelled and and shaping myself in ROTC. Taking criticism and learning from it. One of my best traits my head ROTC instructor would always mention at the closing ceremonies every year was that I was always able to take criticism like a mature adult, and learn from my mistakes. And not only learning, but teaching those below me, and leading by example.
I was also the bull and the crack of the whip he would mention. If the time came for someone to take charge because whoever was in charge at the moment proved themselves incapable of doing so, allowing the freshmen to goof off and act like a bunch of idiotic people running around like blind chickens, I would step in and in an instant, have them in line. I was feared, but respected at the same time.

At work though, I am just another employee working on the floor. Flamingo is a inventory manager, who really works like me, but get payed like a manager. Reason being, Flamingo has a criminal record and isn't allowed to hold keys or work with the money.
Flamingo never has anything good to say. Everyone below him are always working too slow, not doing a good enough job, or just can't do anything right. I had a massive u-boat of dog food spill over. 50 bags at least. It took me about 10 minutes to get it all stacked back on the cart right. Eh, maybe less. Well, about a minute into it, Flamingo came into the backroom and started asking me what was taking so long, and asked how many _____ store employees does it take to fix this dog food on the floor?...
But when BIG RED, our GM is within' sight, Flamingo has nothing to say.

About 2 weeks ago, I was helping a family find a proper pet for them. I brought them over to some hamsters who needed to be adopted out soon. They were dropped off by another family who could no longer care for them. So, we were selling them for dirt cheap. $5. Heck, I would have just given them for free. Anyways, while talking to them, Flamingo went off his tits and criticized me in front of the customers about a minor, insignificant thing. It was a phone call mix up with a customer who wanted to talk to a manager. I referred her to Big Red, our GM.
Flamingo went off in front of us telling me how he was the manager and I shouldn't be taking that kind of phone calls when I'm working on the floor.
Well if no one is answering the phone, I am going to because it could be important. Plus I hate hearing the phone ringing constantly throughout the store.
The customers were shocked to see how he treated me. Getting in my face, and speaking in a angry tone. I told them to please excuse him and forget about it. Thankfully, they listened to me, figuring that I really did nothing wrong.

About a week later, I was cleaning all of the small animal cages. Hamsters, mice, rats, ferrets, and guinea pigs.
I was a half way through my shift, and was almost done with all of the animals cages. Honestly, I was 3 hours ahead of schedule. A customer who is a regular one who comes by, asked me if she may see the ferrets. I stopped to help her. I had plenty of time.
While showing her the ferrets, I noticed that their feet and nails were covered in dried up feces. Not a good thing because that leads to trench foot type diseases. So, she was kind enough to offer to help me by holding the ferret while I clean their nails.
Well, mr. flamingo walked by and did the same thing again. Only this time, he included the customer in the conversation.

Flamingo: "Hey you need to leave him alone because he has a lot of work to do."
Customer: "I'm sorry. I just offered to help him. He noticed that their feet were filthy and NEEDED to be cleaned."
Flamingo: "Whatever. He just needs to stop and get back to cleaning these cages because he still has a lot to do."

I only had 4 out of the 16 left to do.

Customer: "Okay, well this is our last one."

Flamingo left and the customer looked at me like she was offended by him. She said that I should definitely talk to BIG RED, the GM, about Flamingo's attitude.

About 10 minutes later, I was working on the cages when Flamingo came up to me, and told me this.

Flamingo: "Hey next time that customer approaches you, find a way to escape because all she does is waste our time."
Me: "... Okaaaay. But she did nothing to interfere with what I was doing. I am almost done here. Way ahead of schedule. I have more than enough time to help customers."
Flamingo: "Well that doesn't matter. You need to hurry up and finish cleaning."
Me: "No. It did matter. Like she told you, I was cleaning the ferrets feet because they were covered in feces. You know that can cause trench foot like diseases, right?"
Flamingo walked away saying, "Yeah sure whatever." as he entered the backroom.

Before he could get away though, I spoke up.
Me: "Why do you always do that?!"
Flamingo looks back, "Do what?!"
Me: "Why are you always PMSing? You are always pissed off about something in this store."
Flamingo: "I'm always PMSing?" Flamingo gets in my face.
Me: "Back off. Don't you dare stand in my face like you own me. You are not God."
Flamingo: "Do you know who you are talking to?!"
Me: "Yeah, Flamingo, Inventory Manager of ______, store number ______, or ______, Texas. Now, would you like for me to give you the definition of PMSing, and how it applies to you?"
Flamingo: "You're showing a lot of hostility."
Me: "And you are showing me that it is alright to ignore customers and health issues with our animals. And no, I am not showing hostility. I am raising my voice above a normal tone, and telling you that you have a serious attitude problem, and that I am one of 5 employees who strongly believes this. The rest have yet to say anything probably because they want to avoid drama!"

Flamingo said nothing. All Flamingo could do was smile. But it was a broken smile. I could see in Flamingos eyes that I hit home deep. Oh, btw, this is the summary of the conversation. I took the gloves off and went Muhammad Ali/Rambo on Flamingo. I didn't say anything hurtful or personal. I said what needed to be heard. I guess I handled it like I did when I was an instructor at boot camp.
I could see that Flamingos spirit was broken inside. But Flamingo didn't want to show it. Denial was planted all over Flamingo's face.

As Flamingo walked away, I said, "And if you have a problem with ME, go ahead and mention it to BIG RED. Do it while I am on break. I'm about to take my break in a few minutes actually."

Flamingo: "Alright!"

Well, following my lunch, nothing happened. I worked and Flamingo actually avoided me. Didn't say a single word to me. The day after is when I left for Brownsville. Which there is a story for that here
Today was my first day back to work. There was an accident with one of my respected managers. I shall name this one Mango.
Well, Mango fell and dislocated a shoulder. Mango told me to call Big Red; wanting Big Red to come in as soon as possible.
Well, Mango needed to leave, but couldn't because apparently there were no other managers around to watch the store. But here's the thing. Flamingo was there at the store. She just casually said Flamingo's a sales associate, I'm the only manager here for the next hour and a half.
That struck me as something odd. Why did she say that?
Later I checked the schedule to see when I work for the rest of the week, and next week. I noticed that Flamingo's name wasn't with the managers anymore. Flamingo's name was under my own.

So, not only is Flamingo not a manager anymore, but Flamingo is actually under me. How? I'm a "sales EXPERT".

All day today, Flamingo was avoiding me. Couldn't look me in the eye. Didn't say a word. And was always looking down like a child in middle school with no self confidence.
I think while I was gone, Flamingo complained about me to Big Red, and Big Red bit back at Flamingo. Other associates probably found out about our fight and used this as a chance to move in and file their own complaints they've held inside.

I do not wish to gloat and laugh at someone's misfortune. But, it feels good to see Flamingo no longer acting like God because Flamingo is making X per hour.

I'm not going to apologize to Flamingo. Flamingo is probably twice my age. Or close to it. I am 19. It is sad to see an adult act like this. But than again, no one said adults are perfect. Nothing is anyways.
I will wait for Flamingo to grow up and approach me to apologize. I will accept it and tell Flamingo I treated Flamingo fairly. I didn't want to end up fighting. I hate arguing. I was shaking after Flamingo left. Not out of fear or anger. I guess it was just my blood pumping from doing something I hate. Even though I will argue to the death over a stupid debate. I just hate arguing out of hate.

[JCZ]

Wow, I can very well imagine that this wasn't easy for you to do! Hats off to you, I think you absolutely did the right thing. Nice example of "what goes around, comes around"...

I'll also add that to finish things properly, I do think you should try to treat him the way you will probably treat everyone who works 'below' you. Show him how real, warm-hearted people treat one another.

Also, keep an eye out for any vengeful backstabbing (not literally, of course). Guys like this may very well try to have their revenge on you. Obviously, once he sees how you try to treat people rightfully, his vengeful feelings may very well dissipate.

[Cameron]

Well Flemingo is a bit of a whiner. And Flamingo is one who will probably look for whatever Flaminfo can to get me in trouble. Flamingo definitely has that vengeful feel.

But yeah, whatever. I've been thinking about putting my two weeks in at work, and be a full-time student. I'm living with my parents. I'm 19, so it's okay. I have an awesome scholarship, for being awesome. It pays for 2 years at a community college, and 2 years at a university. But, once I start using it, it doesn't wait for me. I have to make the most out of those two years pretty much.
Working during this time has slowed me down. I took 4 classes last semester. It doesn't sound like much, but with how many hours I get scheduled at work, it's actually a lot. And then I get distracted by my hobbies like painting and such.

Yeah, I won't have much money. A lot of girls I've met judge guys by whether they are working or not. So, it may affect my dating life. But, I'm looking at this in a long term perspective. Which actually, the girls who would be a GREAT catch, may see that as maturity and a responsible action maybe? See, my major (film production - computer animation) is going to take me 5 years to complete, without stressing myself too much. And then I have my two minors which are History and Architecture. So, I'm looking at 6 or 7 (at the most) years. That's 3 years I would have to pay for out of my pocket, plus books and housing when I go to Texas A&M in College Station.

[JCZ]

Cameron, on 15 July 2010 - 02:49 AM, said:

Yeah, I won't have much money. A lot of girls I've met judge guys by whether they are working or not. So, it may affect my dating life.

Possible, but I've heard of a lot of guys that seem to be able to handle this just fine. I don't know how exactly, mind you (as soon as I do, I'll let you know ). A good friend of mine never was particularly lucky regarding jobs and having money (he recently got diagnosed with having ADD which obviously doesn't help your career, and up till recently he also was in debt). However, he was and still is a chick magnet.

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Which actually, the girls who would be a GREAT catch, may see that as maturity and a responsible action maybe? See, my major (film production - computer animation) is going to take me 5 years to complete, without stressing myself too much. And then I have my two minors which are History and Architecture. So, I'm looking at 6 or 7 (at the most) years.

Wow, if you were to finish this all, I owe you a great deal of respect! These are very interesting studies (you didn't choose just ICT, which IME isn't very attractive to girls, but film production, which I think is really cool - and then I didn't even say anything about History and Architecture yet).

OK, so you might not have a job. Just don't focus on not having a job; every girl is a sucker for hard-working men (who pursue their ideals, not just their jobs, with a passion), so I'd say your dating life should be fine. Also, you just mentioned some very interesting hobbies. Really, I'd be surprised if your dating life were to suffer. To me, your real problem seems to be the amount of spare time you have besides this busy life.

[Cameron]

JCZ, on 15 July 2010 - 12:51 PM, said:

Also, you just mentioned some very interesting hobbies. Really, I'd be surprised if your dating life were to suffer. To me, your real problem seems to be the amount of spare time you have besides this busy life.

Wait... what?
First you said I make time for my own hobbies aside from work, school and dating. But then you say I have too much free time??? What do you want me to do? Set aside time to take over half of Canada by Christmas? Because I could probably do it if I put my mind to it.

[JCZ]

Cameron, on 16 July 2010 - 06:12 AM, said:

Wait... what?<br />First you said I make time for my own hobbies aside from work, school and dating. But then you say I have too much free time??? What do you want me to do? Set aside time to take over half of Canada by Christmas? Because I could probably do it if I put my mind to it.

Oops, I can see my words seemed to say that... No, I meant to say that with the amount of stuff you've got going on the amount of spare time you have would not be very large. Also, I wanted to contrast that to you saying that not having a job might negatively affect your dating life. Yet, with what I read from you, somehow I don't think you won't be able to overcome these problems.