Monday, August 9, 2010

Conclusion of Floor Rapport

.....he fixed me an expression that read into translation:

"Anyway I can possibly blast your mother with anal sex?" and retreated to the other side of the store. god this was not only frustrating but humiliating; knowing full well Mitch and his saigon kick were peering at me under scrutiny. Was I actually going to be fired before I even got started? I had to change my strategy and change it fast.

Subtly I watched another browser with a couple of movies in tow scanning the sections inquisitively. With sheer instinct I grabbed a couple of boxes two at random.

"Sorry, excuse me? I can't help but notice a couple of your selections?"

"Huh? Oh yeah-' he glanced down at his choices. "Nici Sterling, damn what a fox-" Finally something I could work with. This guy was a conisseur, no doubt. I best choose my next actions carefully.

"Oh no doubt about that my friend. Something about that Euro look does it for me everytime." I had no idea where that came from, but I ran with it. "You know something if you like F-Zone there, you gotta check out Gang Bang girl. It'll blow your mind."

Since I just returned the box cover I knew exactly where it was. Reaching for it I handed it to him with enthusiasm. He regarded the front, the buxom Brit donned in equestrian garb and raised an eyebrow. Turning the cover, he nodded answering his own silent question.

"Yeah among everybody else." Together we burst into laughter. A great ice breaker for sure.
"Ok, what else you got?"

Momentarily stumped, I quipped quickly,"Ah' scanning the anal section thank god she show cased another cover. Prime choices volume--- oh who knows--

"I haven't actually seen this one yet but it is very popular." Once again he appraised the cover. Nici was bent over in burgandy lingerie with a white back drop.

"Ok cool. thanks for all your help."

"My pleasure, need anything just give us a shout." I glanced over at Mitch, he winked with approval, then he shuddered as his eyes slipped back to normal.

Walking back over to the counter, the saigon kick even beemed with pride. A short time later the other participant in my Sterling interaction came to the counter proudly with half a dozen box titles.

Mr Savoy quickly interjected, "Now Dan, I'd like you to watch how we rent movies out of the system." Before Mitch could even summon his phone number, the customer replied, "Oh no, I'd like to purchase these." Mitch raised an eye brow.

"Ah! Excellent choices Searle--"

"Yeah your staff here was so friendly and helpful. I appreciate it. Thank you!" Our perversity purchaser shot me a wink.

Well I suppose I'd stick around after all, passing my first milestone in the Floor Rapport. I could tell things were beginning to turn around as Mitch Savoy never called me Dan ever again.

"

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

More and More Floor Rapport

.....The transexual looking refugee paused to toss her arms in the air and bend down ( she too was about half a foot taller than Mitch ). He paused from his infernal clattering away on the dot matrix computer.

"Dan--,' he started walking to the other side of the glass counter now. "Please disrespect Babe.-' he stood closer than my personal comfort permitted. "She's only trying to help you--help me--the business.' Again with that kookie two separate gazes look, it was really un-nerving. "So get on the floor Searle-' he flashed his best three dollar bill smile that I didn't trust. "And interact with the customers, that's what they're here for Dan."

I sighed. "Mitch-my name is-"

"Good, good, good-" he was already retreating to the back of the counter with a gloating Lauren. For likely the fifth dozen time since arriving, I'd considered walking out. Then I'd thought logically-he's likely got a point. Simply standing behind the counter exploits an 'Us and Them' mentality. I learned this notion in school with counselling. you never counsel a client behind a desk. It places an image of emtionally, psychologically and of course physically placing walls and barriers. How can you expect to bring down metaphorical walls for the client when you are building your own?

I decided to give it the old college try. Approaching a potential customer with a stack of movie boxes, I employed "Anything I can help you out with Sir?" I almost spurted out Searle at the last minute and promptly refrained......

(con'd)