Welcome, how can I help you? That will be $20. Here's your change and your map.
Being back at the museum is weird, but nice. The place has been returned how how it looked in 1965 when Dr. Hammond died - or as close to it as possible. There are a few things that still need to get moved out, but it's mostly his original collection, which makes me happy. These are really cool things, and they were collected by a really cool guy, and I like telling people about it. I like talking to those people that are really excited to be there. I love watching people's faces light up. I like crouching down so I'm at a kid's level and asking them if they like secret passage ways and if they would like to go through one. I like telling someone the price in their native language and watching them light up when they realize someone speaks the same language as them. I love my boss and everyone else who works at the castle. The New Guy* studies storytelling and archaeology, so that's cool. We spend a lot of time talking about social issues together when the gift shop is empty and I'm not teaching him how the register works. We differ in opinion on some issues (he believes that dropping the nuclear bombs on Japan at the end of WWII was the right choice; he believes in the legalization of pot but not in legalization and regulation of narcotics, which I do support; I believe in gun control, which he supports in theory but does not think could work in practice; I am way too optimistic and idealistic) but we can have an intelligent conversation on topics even if we disagree, which is something I like in people. Also he does things like refuse to split tours by gender because there might be people who don't feel comfortable, which is generally cool.
I do get a little annoyed by him on the following points: he does not see value in reading Kurt Vonnegut because he believes he already knows everything about the subject; he in fact believes he already has a lot of worldviews most people do not, and so while they might need to study something, it's not new to him so it's not worth his time; he doesn't believe in things which aren't practical; he has so much economic privilege and I can't tell whether he knows it or not, but in either case I'm working because I need the money for living and he's working because he is interested in museums and doesn't want to be bored all summer, and I am jealous of him; he talks over people; he occasionally casts himself in "I am a heterosexual guy therefore I am a certain way and act a certain way to women and it would be weird if I acted differently toward someone I was flirting with" in his stories, which is not how he normally acts and so it's kind of bizarre, like that's the guy he thinks he should be or the guy that I'm expecting him to be, or something; he told me why high heels are oppressing me (but don't worry, he doesn't blame me, I can't help how I was socialized); and finally, he dislikes Mount Holyoke because Vegas Night.
...when I put it like that it sounds like he's a horrible person. He's not! He's really cool. I like The New Guy, and he's going to be a really great tour guide since he learns quick and has a lot of background knowledge. He's also great with dealing with the public, even when they're infuriating, which is important. He certainly handled the giftshop pretty well today with only minimal help from me, and we were short one register.
...but if I come back in a few days being like "NO LET me TELL you ABOUT (blank)" that's probably why. On the other hand, if I'm tearing my hair out in a few days, that's probably due to the general public.
Y'all, humans are dumb.
*His official nickname forever (at least for this blog)
I do get a little annoyed by him on the following points: he does not see value in reading Kurt Vonnegut because he believes he already knows everything about the subject; he in fact believes he already has a lot of worldviews most people do not, and so while they might need to study something, it's not new to him so it's not worth his time; he doesn't believe in things which aren't practical; he has so much economic privilege and I can't tell whether he knows it or not, but in either case I'm working because I need the money for living and he's working because he is interested in museums and doesn't want to be bored all summer, and I am jealous of him; he talks over people; he occasionally casts himself in "I am a heterosexual guy therefore I am a certain way and act a certain way to women and it would be weird if I acted differently toward someone I was flirting with" in his stories, which is not how he normally acts and so it's kind of bizarre, like that's the guy he thinks he should be or the guy that I'm expecting him to be, or something; he told me why high heels are oppressing me (but don't worry, he doesn't blame me, I can't help how I was socialized); and finally, he dislikes Mount Holyoke because Vegas Night.
...when I put it like that it sounds like he's a horrible person. He's not! He's really cool. I like The New Guy, and he's going to be a really great tour guide since he learns quick and has a lot of background knowledge. He's also great with dealing with the public, even when they're infuriating, which is important. He certainly handled the giftshop pretty well today with only minimal help from me, and we were short one register.
...but if I come back in a few days being like "NO LET me TELL you ABOUT (blank)" that's probably why. On the other hand, if I'm tearing my hair out in a few days, that's probably due to the general public.
Y'all, humans are dumb.
*His official nickname forever (at least for this blog)