Proud to be a 12
I’m taking a customer service class at school and that alone is hilarious. There is a long list of jobs I would do before I would consider something that focuses on customer service. Dealing with people is a nightmare for me. I go to great lengths to avoid interacting with other humans, on the phone or in person.
The class just started and we took a personality assessment to see where we are at. I was completely truthful in all my answers. These are my results
The fact that I am an introvert is no surprise. I figured my results were average for a introverted person. Then we began discussing the quiz as a class. The teacher just casually asked people to share their scores. There were a few in the 80’s, some 70’s, the lowest was 52. Then the teacher brought up a student from his other class that was worried because she scored a 28. At this point I am a little confused, but mostly convinced that I am defected in a major way. I threw caution (and my dignity) to the wind and raised my hand.
"What if I got a 12?", I mumbled. "A what? " the teacher asked, sure he misheard. I cleared my throat and said 12 loud enough for everyone to hear. At first the teacher laughed. "You’re joking!"he exclaimed. I solemnly shook my head no. He just stared at me slackjawed long enough for me to realize this wasn’t just a slightly low score. I heard a ripple of murmurs pass over the class, the number 12 the only word I caught.
My teacher regained his composure and said, "well that just means you have a little more work to do." I felt like a complete pariah. I wouldn’t have been surprised to find a sign on my back that said: "kick me, I’m a psychopath."
Not to mention the fact that I am proud to be a 12. I don’t want to work to change it. Basically that "work" would have to consist of learning how to be a big fat phony. How to smile in someone’s face and lie for the sake of politeness. Worse yet, to do it so that the person I work for makes more money.
I know what you might be thinking. We all have to suck it up sometimes and do things we don’t want to do. We all have to bite our tongues and keep our opinions to ourselves in order to hold down a job. This is the reason why I desperately need to start making a living from writing.
