I'm Just Sayin'

Maybe it's just me, but I expect a certain level of professionalism from people that are serving me. They don't have to bow down to me or kiss up or anything like that. Just be nice and courteous. That's all I'm asking for. When I worked in retail, I always had an air of professionalism in my service to customers. Always. Even when I was having a bad day.

That rant was a little off topic of what I really wanted to say, but it goes hand in hand with what I witnessed earlier today.

I took the car in for an oil change today. While sitting in the waiting area, I heard a motorcycle drive up. A police motorcycle. (Actually a constable, but we don't have a police dept., so I call them the police. ) He came in the driveway, turned around and parked facing the busy road. I took the opportunity to point out the motorcycle to Clara and tell her that was a policeman.

He turned off the engine and took off his gloves. I was wondering what he was doing. Maybe getting ready to pull our a radar gun? But no. He proceeds to pull out a cigarette and light up. He then puts his gloves back on, turns on the engine and takes off down the road, cigarette in mouth. "Look Clara, that policeman is smoking a cigarette. Maybe he has an extra one for you!"

Am I completely anal, or is that not something I should expect to see from an on-duty officer? I mean, they are supposed to be a model in the community, right? And what parent wants to explain why the police officer is smoking to their little one? I also think that might be a bit of a riding hazard, not to mention the fact that he probably just threw it on the ground when he was done. Could he not pull over and have himself a smoke break out of sight of the public? Is that asking too much? I'm just sayin'.

Oh, and while I'm on the topic, I was in the front yard playing with Clara awhile back when the mailwoman pulled up to the mailboxes acrosss the street. She was talking very loudly on her cellphone for a couple of minutes before she stepped out to actually do her job. She talked on the phone the entire time she put mail in the boxes, still very loudly. And then got back in her truck and drove off..... still talking loudly on the phone! Again, is it just me or is it normal to expect just a teensy weensy bit more out of people whose job it is to serve?