Native Intelligence: Customer service

Customer service

Bob Baker • Bio • Email

(Written in American Airlines security waiting line at LAX)

Here I sit, watching X-rays of your suitcase for six twenty-five an hour
If this is meant to be my life’s work I’d rather be pushing up flowers
So pardon me if I don’t smile, if I don’t go the extra mile
If I don’t care about your point of view
I hate my job so I’m taking it out on you

Here I sit behind the Post Office counter; two other clerks called in sick
There’s a line of twenty people at eight thirty in the morning
and they all want me to click
my heels and tell ‘em that they’re next in line
Well, I don’t get no overtime
So pardon me if I roll my eyes
If I treat your impatience as no surprise
If I act like I expect you to pay some dues
I hate my job so I’m taking it out on you.

Some people get ahead
Some people can't
Life's like a line
And now you're in mine
I need my vengeance, I need pay-back
So just stand there ‘til you have a heart attack

Well the airport and the Post Office didn’t work out
Now I’m a greeter at a Wal-Mart store
But I think I’m getting into a pickle for saying
things that greeters never said before, such as:
“Shoppers, you won’t find anything finer
Made for starvation wages by the people of China”
So pardon me if my sarcasm stings
‘Cuz I ain’t no butterfly; I can't sprout wings
and fly like a bat outta Hell from a world so cruel
I hate my job
I hate my job
I hate my job
I hate my job so I’m taking it out on you

September 26, 2006 08:56 AM • Native Intelligence • Email the editor

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