Last lunar new year, my family planned to watch a movie together. We got ourselves some popcorn and nachos and were looking forward to the movie. But just as I was about to enter the gantry, I was stopped by the movie theater attendant.
"Excuse me, can I check your I.D.?"
I was shocked for I was the only one asked to do so and my younger siblings had went in. Unfortunately, I left home in a hurry and was not carrying any I.D. for the NC-16 movie. My parents tried to explain and asked if it was alright to let me pass for once. However, the attendant insisted that she will not allow me in. She suggested that the rest of my family could watch the movie without me
My father was furious and told the attendant, in a pique, that all of us will not watch the movie then. The attendant responded immediately, offering to help us refund our tickets in a sharp tone. It fueled my father's anger and he started calling her an idiot repeatedly and that told her that she had spoiled our mood on the first day of the lunar new year. The attendant remained very calm but told my father to mind his language in a sharp tone.
We did not manage to watch the movie and decided to head back home instead. Before we left the box office, my father asked for her name but he did not do anything with it eventually.
If you were the attendant, how you have reacted to the furious customer? And on the other hand, what would you do when one of your family or friends was denied entry?
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Hi Tan Ching,
ReplyDeleteAfter listening to your account, I must say that I can empathise with you that sometimes people just mistakenly identify us as individuals younger than our age. Nevertheless, don't be offended as it always good to look youthful.
I believe that in this case, the movie theatre attendant have failed to manage the situation effectively. Firstly,, it seems that she has double standards as she singled you out to produce your identification card while ignoring your younger siblings. Secondly, she appears to be rather inflexible as she insisted on barring you from entering the theatre despite your parents' explanations. As we all know, it is natural that parents would want the best for their children and if the movie had been undesirable for your age, they would not have brought you along. Thirdly, the fact that the attendant responded to your father's displeasure with a sharp tone appears to be rather unprofessional and discourteous.
Well,don't let it bother you. Let's just give the attendant the benefit of the doubt. She could probably be having a bad day then and was just trying to perform her job as best as she could.
However, I feel that the attendant could have managed the situation better. Instead of being sensitive to the dissatisfaction shown by your father and speaking over a sharp tone to show her emotions, she could have tried to reflect upon her own behaviour and see if she had contributed to him acting in such a manner. In addition, she could have explained the reason why she was not in the position to let you enter the theatre in a more diplomatic way to assuage your father's displeasure.
Cheers
Caroline
Hello Tan Ching,
ReplyDeleteI would have been extremely annoyed if I were in your situation! Well, maybe the only part which could comfort me a little could be the fact that I look younger than my siblings to the attendant.
If I were the attendant, upon hearing the explanation from your parents, I would close an eye and allow you to pass (it's Chinese New Year after all). However, if I was given strict orders from my boss that should they find out that I allowed an under-aged girl watch an NC-16 movie, then I would be fired (I doubt that ever happens in real life, but do correct me if I am wrong), I would bring the matter up to my superior instead of handling it myself.
If one of my family members or friends were denied entry, it would be insensitive of me to go ahead without him/her/them as relationships with people dear to me are definitely worth more than an NC-16 movie. On top of that, I would request to see the attendant's superior and explain the situation to her to see if a viable solution can be worked out.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteDon't be annoyed too much for this case. Like Caroline and Tan Ching say, you looks younger than your siblings. This is very good for you!
If I were the attendant, I would let you allow to enter to the movie theatre. In my opinion, there is no need to be too strict in this case. Your parents also explained about you to attendant. Because of Chinese New Year period and respecting to your parents, attendant should allow you to pass.
If one of my friends or family members were denied entry, firstly, I would explain about the situation to attendant. If attendant did not allow my friend or family member although I explained nicely,secondly, I would explain and request attendant's supervisor about the situation whether it is ok or not.
Hi Tan Ching,
ReplyDeleteIf I were in your shoes, I would probably have joined your father in giving the attendent a piece of my mind. However, sitting in front of the computer and having the luxury of not being affected by my emotions, I disagree with both your father's and the attendent's course of actions.
If one of my family members were to be denied entry, I feel that the less antangonising way of approaching this problem is to request to see the manager and explain the situation to the manager. The attendent could have been acting on strict orders to not allow anyone in without verification of their age. The manager, on the other hand, would be in a better position to choose to "close one eye".
If I were the attendent and am berated by an angry customer, I feel that the proper way of dealing with it is to explain, in a nice tone, the reason why I am denying entry. If this does not resolve the situation, I would request my manager to speak to the customer. From my experiences in having worked part time in service-related jobs, I find that this is the best course of action to take when face with an angry customer. In fact, this is the course of action I always take.
To hongquan:
ReplyDeleteLike what you've said, it will make a lot of difference whether we are reviewing the situation or in the situation. Nevertheless, it still reminds us of the need to better manage our EQ. =)