On Sunday we decided to check out the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. We’d heard good things about it, the best thing being that it was located one block away from our apartment, so we walked over in the morning and stood outside in the rain, waiting for it to open.
When it opened we checked our raincoats and stroller at the coat check, because they do not allow strollers or wet coats in the museum, and started walking through the various exhibits. The place was definitely geared toward children, so we adults stood around and watched the kids enjoy themselves until it was time for me to go to rehearsal.
Simone stayed at the museum with the kids while I went back to the coat check to retrieve my bag and my coat, Unfortunately by this time there was a huge line out the door of people arriving to check their coats and strollers. I walked up to the desk and asked them for my things, and I was told that there was only one line for pick-up and drop-off, and so I would have to go to the back of the line and wait. Which I did.
As I stood in line, I started to realize that this line was going to make me late for my rehearsal. I also reflected that I had been in many other lines before in which other people had made a huge stink about something and subsequently gotten their way. I felt like maybe I was being a push-over, so I went over to the counter again to plead my case.
I don’t know where I go wrong with these things. Obnoxious a-holes get their way in this world all the time. I guess I am just the wrong kind of a-hole, but I just don’t know how to march up to someone and get my way. I started by politely explaining to the person that I was going to be late for a rehearsal and I just needed my bag, and one of the people behind the counter wasn’t really doing anything anyway, and could they please make an exception. No dice. Back of the line buddy.
At this point I made a bigger fuss. I told them that it was not a good policy to have only one line for both pick-up and drop-off, and that I could not wait in that line for my coat. They got very annoyed/angry with me and told me I had better get back in line. So I tried to go full blown obnoxious. I asked for a manager. I told them I was going to tell everyone I knew that this museum was horrible. I kicked and screamed and gnashed my teeth. And eventually, I went to the back of the line and waited a really long time to get my stuff.
I ended up taking the train to rehearsal and made it in time, although I normally walk and I had hoped to have lunch first, which I was not able to do. But the whole thing just left a sour taste in my mouth. Especially as I see other people so often break rules, cut lines, and get what they want at the expense of the rest of humanity. How do they do it?!
Yesterday we went to see the Chimpanzee movie that is currently out in theaters, and we got two large drinks to share (for $15). We had not finished them when the movie ended, but while we were in the aisle putting Edward’s coat on him, the cleaning crew came along and threw away our half-full beverages. Simone was upset about this, so she went up to the counter to get a replacement drink. I stood to the side with the kids, and a few minutes later Simone came back with a free replacement drink. HOW!? What did she say or do?! Obviously I questioned her about this, but she just said she asked nicely and the person sighed and looked suspiciously at her, and then got the drink anyway. I would never have gotten the drink. I would have been banned from the theater for life.
I wish I knew the secret to getting around rules and being the exception, but I don’t. I am terrible at getting my way. If I order food, and they bring me something other than what I order, I can’t even get them to bring me the right food. I just end up getting yelled at somehow. Does anyone out there know the secret? Please share! I am tired of having to live like a normal person in a world where everyone else gets special treatment!