Streetcar closes today. When shows close, it is always bittersweet for me. On one hand I'm glad it's over and ready to enjoy evenings with nothing to do. Then on the other hand, I know I'll miss seeing the people that have been involved in the show. Streetcar was a good run and the audiences enjoyed it.
High School Musical has a couple of performances left. Each performance is/was "sold out". What a great show! Unfortunately, several people have become angry when told there are no more seats available. According to these folks, it is always the theatre's fault that they can't see the show. You know, it's our fault that they didn't get their mailer, or they got it late. It is always our fault that the phone is busy and they can't get through. It's our fault when they show up at the 5 o'clock show when their tickets were for the 1 o'clock show. It's our fault when they show up on the 8th and their tickets were for the 1st. To be perfectly honest, I got sick and tired of hearing all the reasons we were at fault. Can I help it that your mailer was late? Is it my fault that you can't read the date and time on your ticket? Is it my fault that you were unable to get through on the phone? I can't help it the phone lines were always busy. Yes, a lot of folks left messages on the answering machine, yes, we were unable to take care of those in a timely manner because we couldn't stop answering the ringing lines. Well enough of that, but you get the picture. If there is one thing I can say about Laura Michelle and myself, we are NOT slackards, nor incompetent! We didn't sit in the office all day and refuse to answer phones or refuse to make reservations. If I remember correctly, there were 3 days last week that I stayed in the office from 8:30 to 4:00, never leaving, never taking a lunch break, literally running to the bathroom (so as not to miss many calls), you get the picture.
I get extremely aggravated when people refuse to take responsiblity for their actions and place the blame on others. Do we make mistakes? Yes we do, but both of us admit when the fault is ours. If you haven't worked with the box office software, it is easy to choose the wrong day or time, but both Laura Michelle and I go over the information with the people. OK, you have 3 adults and 3 student tickets for the 8th at 1 o'clock. Are you paying attention to what I am saying? If you wanted the 5 o'clock show and I said 1 o'clock, why don't you tell me? Is it my fault when you book 5 seats and then call back 3 days later and want to add another seat next to the seats you already have and nothing is available?
I guess you can tell that I am ranting. I do have to say that the majority of people are very understanding. It is only a few that act like idiots. I need to focus on the positive folks and not let the negative ones get to me.
4 comments:
Guess the lesson learned is for us to make sure we always treat others the way we want to be treated which isn't easy in this world where "it is all about me." Fortunately, you were blessed with a very laid back personality, so while they may aggravate you, I know you never let it show.
You have a "thankless" job and I don't envy you. There's no way you can please everybody, but I'd be willing to bet that no one else could do as good a job as you do.
So, keep doing the GREAT job you do!
And in case nobody has told you lately....THANKS, Cathy!!!!
I love you Cathy. I certainly do miss you being backstage yelling at all of us. I don't think I've ever liked being yelled at as much as I do when you do it. You got some powerful pipes.
What a wonderful delima, having more patrons than seats, more phone calls than you can return, more business than can be handled. Most of us work for companies that try everything to entice customers. It sounds like your company offers what the public wants! Caren
Post a Comment