Experiencing Change. . .

By
Industry Observer CalDRE #01165532

 

 

 

Experiencing Change. . .

 

Recently, Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! wrote a post about lost skills. 

 

She covered more than a few with her excellent list.  As sad and unfortunate as it was, the points she made were right on the money in my ophion.

 

The last one mentioned on her list was in evidence when I went to a store this week.  Change is obviously not easy. And it certainly appears that counting back change in a retail setting made a getaway a long time ago in the cashier training manual.

 

Yes, it continues to be a pet peeve of mine.  Without going into the unfortunate details, evidence was clearly on display. 

 

Recalling simple customer service skills, I wondered about words of wisdom on the subject of change. You see, Wanda’s post put me on a pondering path. 

 

Previously unknown to me, the following quote seems to fit in countless ways.  Hopefully, you will appreciate it even if it evolves in a different direction than the topic:

 

Change is tough,

people don’t like it,

but it is necessary. 

 

Take two aspirins

and call me in the morning.  

Christopher Bond

 

 

The image in this post is from canstockphoto.com

Posted by

Michael Jacobs

 

CalBRE # 01165532

P. O. Box 587

Pasadena, CA 91102

Call/Text:  818.516.4393

mtj916@gmail.com

 

 

Comments (33)

Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Hello, Michael Jacobs, I really enjoyed reading your post and the comments. But what stood out the most to me was the quote. Thanks for sharing!

Sep 17, 2023 12:58 PM
Michael Jacobs

Hannah Williams - I saw lots of "change" words of wisdom but this new-to-me quote seemed like an ideal way to tie together my thoughts.  Glad to hear you liked it too.  

Sep 17, 2023 05:41 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I just love when you go down the pondering path. The wisdom found is often undescribable my friend 🙂

Sep 17, 2023 11:10 PM
Michael Jacobs

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS - thank you for the kind words.  

Sep 18, 2023 03:56 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Michael Jacobs - Timely post! I was in a gift shop yesterday standing in line behind a woman finishing up her sale. When it was my turn, the Cashier leaned in towards me and said (in a very loud rude tone) We don't taken change or cash. Only credit cards!

Michael, if I didn't really want that gift, I would have placed the item down and walked out the store, but instead I said, Is there any other way to pay for merchandise than by credit card today?

Her old cragy face cracked a smile and I paid without a smile or thank you.  

Sep 19, 2023 04:31 AM
Michael Jacobs

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP - such situations still surprise me even if they seem so ordinary and expected to some.  😲

Sep 19, 2023 10:19 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I am among those who need to make some changes.

Have a great day and an outstanding week.

Sep 20, 2023 07:12 AM
Michael Jacobs

Roy Kelley - change lives among us.  And it seems we are living in a land where coin usage is a contradictary form of exchange.   At least at times.  

Sep 20, 2023 09:44 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Michael, change can be so tough, or giving change back.  At least we could (and can) do that still!

Sep 20, 2023 11:10 AM
Michael Jacobs

Joan Cox - the challenge of making change seems to combine cents as well as sense.  

Sep 20, 2023 03:24 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Friday morning, Michael.

Have a great day and an outstanding weekend.

We expect wet weather in Maryland this weekend.

Sep 22, 2023 09:09 AM
Michael Jacobs

Roy Kelley - Happy Friday to you as well.   

Sep 22, 2023 11:23 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Why do so many people hate change when actually it adds to the enjoyment of my life 🙂

Sep 24, 2023 12:34 PM
Michael Jacobs

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS - wasn't it Ben Franklin who told us to watch our pennies?    

Sep 25, 2023 09:31 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Michael Jacobs. Yes, I know many may be reluctant to change, but it can be a very beneficial experience. It may not always be welcomed, but the outcome might surprise many. 

Oct 01, 2023 07:14 AM
Michael Jacobs

Jerry Newman - I can understand that some surprises seem almost expected.  

Oct 01, 2023 08:25 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Michael, I do enjoy stimulating brain cells no matter whose blog post I am reading🙂

Oct 02, 2023 10:11 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Michael! It's been a minute since you've shared your pondering thoughts! I hope you're doing well and enjoying fall weather in Pasadena. Big hugs!

Oct 06, 2023 07:30 PM
Michael Jacobs

Debe Maxwell, CRS - it seems as if SoCal didn't get the seasonal shift memo as we are expecting a return of some summer weather temps.  

Oct 07, 2023 03:45 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS

Oh, we would love it if Charlotte had missed the memo as well, Michael Jacobs! While I do enjoy fall, summer here is so beautiful and I miss the boat rides already. I think I need to talk Ray into a heater for the pontoon! LOL

Oct 09, 2023 07:40 AM
Marco Cruz
automateNow - De Land, FL
Automation Made Easy

"Change is necessary," oh so true.

Oct 07, 2023 03:27 AM
Michael Jacobs

Marco Cruz - and it continues to evolve in multiple ways.  

Oct 07, 2023 03:46 AM
Steffy Hristova
HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ
Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

Hi Michael,

I enjoyed reading your post. I had never thought about the change thing before - it seemed to me that the cash register calculated it for the cashier, and it even spit it out of the register. 

I always calculate in my head - almost everything, and somehow was assuming that everybody does it that way. 😀

Oct 08, 2023 04:17 PM
Michael Jacobs

Steffy Hristova - the mind works (and doesn't work too) in interesting ways.  Looking at everybody like everything and everywhere can be a study in perspective.  

Oct 09, 2023 01:53 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Michael:

Ah, yes, the issue of counting out change, or, rather, having trouble figuring it out remains a challenge for some even if the machine tells them how much it should be. Heaven forbid if they have to actually figure it out.

I missed Wanda's post and will have to go read it. She's always very thoughtful in her posts!

Jeff

Oct 09, 2023 04:49 PM
Michael Jacobs

Jeff Dowler, CRS - AR provides many opportunities to explore opportunities and discover thoughts in the posts of fellow members.  For me, that's been a longtime benefit of this platform.  And one I certainly didn't expect when joining.  

Oct 10, 2023 03:10 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

I think if everyone had been trained the way I was  by my manager at Safeway Grocery Store back in 1984, they'd all know how to smile and greet customers, count back change and go above and beyond to send them out the door glad they stopped by to shop. He was a ball-buster for these standards. Many that tested him were fired.
I hated it in the moment Michael Jacobs - but I've cherished the skills my entire working life!

Oct 12, 2023 10:35 AM
Michael Jacobs

Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets - I learned counting back change long before my teenage job at Thrifty Drug Store.  However that experience and others related to it added to my awareness of some basic skills to reinforce and register, 

Like you, I believe such things are still  important is in customer service and throughout life.  Such things seem to stick with some. . .  

Oct 12, 2023 10:50 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Saturday afternoon, Michael. Have a great day and an outstanding weekend.

Oct 14, 2023 12:02 PM
Kathy Schowe
California Lifestyle Realty - La Quinta, CA
La Quinta, California 760-333-8886

Michael Jacobs ,  Luckily I mostly notice change when things change for the better.  I always try to get joy from small things and even tiny progress.  Hope you have a wonderful fall weekend!  Kathy

Oct 20, 2023 10:55 AM
Michael Jacobs

Kathy Schowe - although the seasonal change in our area may be subtle compared to other parts of the country, there is still some things to notice.  Senses shift.  Thanks for the comment.  

Oct 20, 2023 04:45 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I am lucky that I am digging lots of rabbit holes for you to explore my friend.🙂

Oct 22, 2023 12:03 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Michael Jacobs - it seems change in never ending. Sometimes it is subtle; other times expected. I wish you the best in all transitions in life. 

Oct 23, 2023 07:34 AM
Michael Jacobs

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP - thank you for the comment.  May your transitions and change of all kinds continue in a positive direction. 

Oct 23, 2023 08:01 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

Michael Jacobs - since we interacted here on AR hours ago, I have been thinking a lot about my father. I don't remember how old I was, but it started when I was too small for the chairs in our house and I sat on the floor a lot with my dad teaching me to count pennies, nickles, and dimes. At first it was just to learn how to count. Then he bought me a booklet of some sort to insert the coins by what they were, such as quarters. Before long and throughout my life at home, he taught me the value of saving and making sure I knew how to count money and to watch out for people who didn't always give you the right change back. Stand there he'd say. When someone hands you your change, count it, and don't be afraid to speak up if you think it was wrong, but do it politely. 

Oct 23, 2023 08:39 AM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Michael, Change is hardest when we are forced to get out of our comfort zone, and quickly without notice.  As another saying goes...Life can change on a dime....

Oct 25, 2023 09:23 AM
Michael Jacobs

Gloria Todor - your comment is right on the money.  It makes sense and a lot of cents too.  😃

Oct 25, 2023 09:33 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

We expierence change every day when we drive down the road. Traffic is Different, conditions are different, the weather is different and we are expected to alter our driving or end up on the side of the road or in jail Michael 😲

Nov 05, 2023 07:50 AM
Michael Jacobs

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS - maybe we need to be uber-sen$itive to what drives us.  Ah, just wonderinng. . .   

Nov 05, 2023 09:00 AM