A Bus Tale and Random other Gripe

Being a rider of public transportation there is one trend that I wish would end. It's usually (in my experiences) apparent in the early A.M., this trend. An obnoxious fetor that seeps right into the heart of one's olfactory nerve... finding a comfy little spot to nestle in for the duration of the morning, no matter how much you blow your nose to get rid of the stench, post ride. A fierce kind of musty B.O. ... dancing a fervid tango with stinking morning breath. The two smells mixing betwixt and between one another, finally creating a noxious parfum not likely to be bottled and sold in any fine department store or boutique. Is it so hard to brush your teeth, floss, gargle and scrape your tongue in the morning? More importantly, to soap up the ol' P.T.A. or D. ? (I'll let you figure out what P.T.A. and D represents). Soap and water, followed by some deodorant, never hurt anybody, well no bodies that I know of anyway. A mint, some Orbit, a spritz of binaca... it's all relative and these minute details tend to work a lot of the time. These smells can be distracting and can intercept your thoughts, particularly when someone pops a squat right next to you, breathing in your direction, burning the fine hairs in your nose and melting carefully applied gloss, no matter how far your turn your face away. *sigh* Since when did leaving your house, smelling like hot trash on a hot, humid summer morn, become all the rage?? Perhaps I didn't receive the memo or some coded language got lost in translation. Anyway, I went on a job interview today (at a law firm) and did not come away with a soothed soul. The interviewers were rather, well, rude. I had no idea who they were, because they never identified themselves. Neither of them shook my hand pre or post interrogation, they were dressed rather inappropriately, and they didn't strike me as being experienced in the interview department. I had my coat on during the whole ordeal, which I quickly brought to a close. I left it on purposely. Neither of them asked me to take it off nor did they offer me a place to hang it. The pay sucked, and is slightly less than I make now. They offer a 401K plan, major holidays off, and insurance coverage. That aside, they were basically wanting me to start STAT. One of the primary things that turned me off the most, was when one of the interviewers spoke ill of the person that left the position vacant. Saying she wasn't fast enough, and just did not "work up to par." Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I've been on enough interviews and to enough workshops of the like, to know that during an interview, you aren't supposed to trash your former place of employment, when asked why you left. I assume the same rule would apply those conducting the interview as well. According to this site You're supposed to put the candidate at ease, greet us warmly, introduce all members conducting the interview, and give the candidate time to think about the answers to questions you've asked us... those suggestions among a bunch of other, pertinent and professional ones. Needless to say, they were vague and brusque in their questions as well as to their answers to mine... basically wanting to know if I could "cut and paste" on the computer (who can't??) and if I work fast. Long story short, these unpleasant, twisted and mealy mouthed C.U.Next Tuesdays, wanted to hire a work horse to labor for chump change, who would keep her gob shut, not make eye contact, not develop any work rapport with colleagues, and to not ask too many questions about the tasks. I think I'm going to decline and resume my search.

10 comments

Anonymous said...

You did exactly the right thing by cutting the interview short.

Lack of interview skills? Okay.

Lack of social skills? Not that uncommon.

Talk ill of a former employee? Unforgivable.

Keep looking. You'll find something better. (What kind of job are you looking for?)

Anonymous said...

Oh where to begin? Nope no where you pretty much covered it all. Well all I can say is put it out in the universe and it shall answer. So keep on looking because you will get what you need in the end. As well as what you deserve. So consider this just a small speed bump toward getting your big pay off.

BeautyinBaltimore said...

It's funny that you wirte this post today when I had a guy sit in front of me on the bus today with the worst body odor. He had a nerve to dress/look like a thug too. Man this dude "stank" like no other.
If you care to answer can I ask why are you searching for a new job.

TiffJ said...

@Bubbasnightmare and Beautyinbaltimore: At this point, I'm looking to work somewhere that's going to allow me to apply my skills, and get more into the meat of the matter of public relations and marketing, than I'm allowed to now.

Beauty, I'm job hunting because I'm desperately in need of a change and it's time for me to move on. It has been four years, I was ready to move on two years ago. I think I've gone as far as I can at my current place of employment, and plus I'm sick to death of busting my chops, and not having jack ish to show for it! I need to make more money, and it just ain't gonna happen at my current place of employment.

P.S. @ Beauty... so I'm assuming the cat who sat in front of you believes that REAL THUGS don't shower, eh? hahaha.

@Siobhan: Thanks for the encouragement! I'm putting it out there... BIG TIME. I guess the universe has visiting hours, and I'm always showing up too late. lol.
Yeah, I'm still pounding the pavement. Job hunting and interviewing are the pitts! But I know I'll find something worth a damn. ;-)

Mrs. David Lee Roth said...

Ah, the basic rudeness and stupidity of humanity never fails to boggle my mind. Hygiene and hospitality are most important in my book. Good luck on you job search. You can so do better.

Amadeo said...

Your better than me. At this point I'm trying to create things to laugh at while disturbing others and that interview was fertile ground. Even something as simple as saying: "Ya'll suck at this, huh?" Or demanding them to introduce themselves...especially after realizing you wouldn't take the job. Then again...I have issues.

Unknown said...

Is it so hard to brush your teeth, floss, gargle and scrape your tongue in the morning?



Hell, I'll settle for just brushing them! I ride the subway everyday, I feel your pain (as do my olefactory senses LOL)

Good luck in your job search! It is time for me to start looking, too. Luck to both of us! ;)

TiffJ said...

@Jessucka: Hygiene and hospitality are those basic and FUNDAMENTAL qualities that are not hard to nourish, but somehow, some people seem to have difficulty fostering manners and fresh body smells.

@Amadeo: You don't have issues at all. I think your wry sense of humor (mine is similar) is what contributes to your alluring personlity and handsome self. Oh snap! Methinks I've got myself a blog crush! *blush blush*

@Jenner: Well, as long as your brush them. hahahaha.
MAN, the stench makes me want to fly into a blind rage sometimes. hahahaha.

Unknown said...

whats up with BO? I agree ... i don't know what it is.

i guess the folks that roll with them don't tell him . i got stories about this in the NAvy

Anonymous said...

Oh God. Now that I'm pregnant I can smell foulness from a mile away.


As for the interview, what a bunch of unprofessional assholes. I'm sure by now you have declined their offer. I went to an interview not long ago at the MGM Grand and applied for a Customer Service Manager or something like that. The girl interviewing me said they had filled it and asked if I would be interested in a front desk position making $9.00 an hour. I asked her if she read my resume. She sat there stunned. Then she asked if I would be interested in a housekeeping position. I asked her if it would be as a manger. She said "Um, no. It would be as a housekeeper." They make about $7.50 an hour. I just stared at her and told her her offer was an insult and got up and left.