I was "fortunate" enough to deal to mostly "mean" drunks -the ones that cuss you out when you take their money, the ones that repeatedly tell you how awful and mean and horrible you are, the ones that slam the table, the ones that throw their cards at you and hit you with them, the ones that think you are their servant because you work in the service industry. My latest "method" of coping is just to agree with people when they get mean. For example: they will say "You are the worst dealer I have ever had!" and I say, "You're right, I am the worst dealer here. In fact, I won that award last year as the worst dealer.", etc. This usually enrages the player even more, but I can't help it. I've actually had people tip me, then they lose a few hands and say things like "Give me that tip back" or "you're awful, I should have never tipped you, you don't deserve it".
Ahhhhhhhh, if working 12 hours on News Years Eve isn't motivation enough to make Botanical Sweets and Treats work, then I don't know what is. My goal for 2014 is to learn as much as possible to make this business successful and thriving to the point that I can quit the hell-hole!
Among all the horrible customers, there is a gem or two, -a gentle reminder from a higher power that there is good in mankind. One such instance occurred towards the end of my shift on Thursday. A gentleman sat down to my single deck game. He was clearly a little intoxicated, but seemed to be having a good time. I made small talk with him as I got his chips, and we joked a little back and forth for a few minutes. He told me he left his teenage son at home and that he had come to the beach for a few days to see his wife. He said she lived right out there, and he pointed in some random direction. There are many houses along the casino property so I assumed he was referring to one of them. He was fun to deal to and we chattered back and forth until another player sat down. This other player is one of our "regulars" and I hadn't seen him for quite some time. Nice guy. All three of us started chatting and joking. Somehow something was said about me being married and my regular customer commented on his first wife and how they divorced because she was an awful person that drove him into bankruptcy... and then the other guy shares with us that his wife had passed away and, with tears streaming down his face, said he would give anything to have her back. My heart BROKE for this poor man. He talked about their life, their decision to wait until they were older to have kids, their adventures, her battle with ovarian cancer, and her final wish to have her ashes returned to the ocean. He said he comes to the beach at least once a year to visit her and how she always gives him the best, most beautiful sunsets ever. (and it was!).
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We are not allowed to touch the guests in any way, but I told him I wished I could give him a big old hug. He asked me to do him a favor and he said "Please hug your husband every day and never take it for granted."
I was humbled and saddened beyond belief. Thank you for sitting at my table, Pat. I hope your heart continues to heal and that you find joy again.
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