The Good

For the most part, I use the blog to bitch.Its a good outlet to my frustrations and lets face it, bail for a murder conviction is pretty steep. I doubt my husband would be able to make that. And while I look fabulous in orange, I'm not really ready to commit to prison life, no matter how much I love Orange is the New Black.

But honestly, the crazies and the douche cannoes are far and few in between. Of course when I DO get them, they are doozies. Most of the folks who do come to my place of work are really lovely human beings who are happy to be out and about on a beautiful day. Its the reason I have been at this desk for nine years. Those people. And after years of analyzing this, they all do the same things which make me happy to help them.
Here's a list of things that make me happy.

1. They smile and say hello. It seems natural that one would do this upon greeting but you'd be shocked how many people don't. I have been assaulted with so many sour face crab-asses that I was starting to believe that maybe I gave off a frowning pheromone.
2. Please and thank you are said. Even if its just a "Two admissions, please" That little word goes a long way. And a Thank you and a smile at the end makes it even better. My least favorite thing is to be treated as an ATM. Don't treat your front desk jockey as an ATM. We're not machines. We're people who just happen to have access to money.
3. They get off their damn cell phones! This isn't an anti technology rant because frankly I LOVE my phone. I love what it can do for me. I cannot live without it these days. But if you plan to buy an admission, please, for the love of god, put down the phone or end the call. That whole "shh, one minute" gesture with your finger will not endear me as you finish your call and clog up my line because Francis has a piano recital next week and you just HAVE to tell your friend Betty about every detail so she can be sure to come watch your precious boo-boo play better than her precious boo-boo and Oh my God shut up and by the damn admission! 
4. They make brief conversation. Now I sometimes get chatters at the desk who want to tell me their life story. I seriously things that's just me. I have a face people spill their guts to, but I do love it when guests engage in brief, friendly conversation. Share your excitement on being on vacation, or the sunshine, or just being out with your family. That's contagious and wonderful and I love feeling like I'm a part of it.
5. They watch their kids. Kids are going to be kids...because they are kids. And that's totally fine What is not totally fine is letting them be kids violently all over things they are not allowed to touch. Don't think I or our security folk won't call you on it. Because we will.And you saying that no one is allowed to tell lil' boo-boo what to do isn't going to make us stop. The families that come in and quietly tell their kids the rules, hold their hands, or at least keep them in eye shot will eternally be endeared to me. 
6. They listen the first time. Repeating myself over and over makes me die a little inside. I am so grateful to the ones that listen to the rules I give for their safety. Its one thing to forget a rule then come back to ask for clarification, its another to walk away while I'm in mid sentence then return pissed that you were disciplined for breaking the rules you didn't bother to listen to. To everyone who listened the first time, thank you.
7. They treat the people at the desk like people. This is the biggie. Folks, you'll be amazed how far a smile and a polite thank you goes. And when I get treated like him a living entity, it makes a huge difference in my day.

So to all the visitors who do the above, thank you from the bottom of my heart. :)