What's in the Box?
It's that magic time again. Suggestion time! When we unlock the suggestion box, empty it of scribbled notes and reveal members' demands and frustrations, or their delirious ramblings when writing seems to have gotten the better of them. Without further ado, the first note:
Dirty Dishes: Please be stricter about people not washing their dishes! I watch regulars here but [sic] their stuff on the counter and it's rude, like that guy [name].
The dish washing problem. This irks us. Surprisingly, it irks members more. As we see it, with several hundred members, we're thankful for the number of people who wash their dishes. The sink is rarely full. We hear washing going on as we write this.
Perhaps members find this particularly irksome because there is a great injustice going on—how can that person drop a dish in the sink and walk away? Where does that self-entitlement come from? Who does that person expect to clean up after them? Most likely, us, and we don’t mind all that much.
But yes, there are several repeat offenders. The best way to solve this problem is with direct confrontation using a light joking tone. Try it out, but make sure there are plenty of dishwashers around you to back you up. And remove all anger and accusation from your voice. This method also works to alert any non-dishwashers within earshot.
And remember: when someone leaves a dirty dish behind, it's more likely absent-mindedness than intent to get away with something. Perhaps that person is too involved in their work to realize what he or she has done. It could happen to you.
Supplies: Is it possible to put hooks near the desks for coats?
We often get suggestions for supplies, and they are often great suggestions. The problem is, we're a little lazy. Coat hooks have been on our list for quite some time. But, since the cubicles themselves can be used to sling your jacket over, we keep not buying the hooks. And it's probably time for us to admit that we're never going to get around to buying coat hooks. If you can recommend a place where we could purchase these hooks, that might up the chances of our buying them. In the fall.
Suggestion for the Suggestion Box: Please provide a few writing pads. Please water the plants & replace "suggestions" pen.
We try, but pens and blank pads don't have much of a shelf-life around writers. And those poor plants. Thanks for the reminder.
That's it for this month's installment. Be sure to check back or drop your suggestion in the box. Until next time, adieu.