I Won't Quote

Day two of trying to write something in a day ahead. This is also a weird one, promise I'll think of something better soon. But for now, enjoy my favourite graffiti in Tallinn and then maybe some more work stories.

Now, I have talked about a memorable client, but I haven't talked about the good client. Who is a good client? Actually, in some cases - not a client. By that I mean the client of the company, but not of some other services, especially if it something that goes with words "claims", "compensation" or "bills". But honestly, having days at work where you don't have anything to do are just boring. And I find it kind of silly that my bordom is caused by... everything running smoothly. Actually both of my recent jobs are very similar and it has been the same. Up to a point where in previous place I handled one certain type of claims in the whole country. Literally. They said it was ridiculous how fast and good I was at it... I wonder how is Estonia doing without me. Right now at the new workplace I deal with international area alongside 3 other people, but actually I have about 2,5k coworkers. And since we have to start every mail with "dear colleagues" it may be into hundreds of thousands...

But now, a good kind of client...

1. Has superpowers. Yes. Mainly - mind control. Why? Well, obviously because a good kind of client is controlling themself in order not to send in a complaint on the first inconvenience or even before that. Also, controlling themselves in order not to yell at the person working on your case. So here - you all could have at least one superpower.

2. Has class. Oh yes. This is so much more uncommon to come across than you'd think. What I mean by class? Well, it would be nice to just start with a simple hello, maybe even go a step further and say... "good day"? Also it is kind of really super amazing if you say your name in the end. And maybe leave contact info in case you are not available at all times... anyway yes. Summon your inner classy lady or gentleman!

3. Has skills. And I'm not talking about any other skill. The one I mean, is the one very hard to aquire, but once you have it, you are pretty much unbeatable - making yourself feel good. Honestly, bear with me, it makes sense. Have you ever been to a birthday party? I think you have. Probably. Hopefully. Know the feeling when there is just the perfect thing that you found when thinking of the dear person who is aging? And you gave it to them, maybe in a box, maybe in a bag, maybe just out and in the open. And you see them smile and be soooo excited for your thing. And it made you feel good, like, job well done good. And later you hear people saying things like "damn why didn't I come up with it" and your friend or relative talking about it and showing off. It did make you feel good about yourself, didn't it? And honestly, if I get just a simple thank you in mail or on the phone... it makes my day. You can be sure I'm telling either my coworker, friend or flatmate that oh, there was this really nice mail. And you can feel good about that as much as making your best friend happy. Aslo, you can rest assured this makes me forget the last unforgettable (read: rude client).

So here you go. 3 top tips to be a good customer (and a good person).

Have you ever been mean to someone working for you on purpose? Did it make you feel better about yourself? Or are you the one to relate and emphatize with others? Do you try to make a worker's day? Are you a good client, or the unforgettable? I have to say sometimes I want to be a rude client, or get annoyed when someone in a store or cafe is being rude but... I have been there. It's not always possible to be smiling.

Now, what's next? Hmm...

Let's start with some amazing street art. And then explanation. So. I have decided to try and write something about my day or about some other kind of general musings every day for at least a week. Here is the first one. Also, more about the picture: went around a few weeks ago to see what Tallinn's up to. Apparenly we are still great wannabe hipsters (or are we? Maybe we have reached the level already... let me know what you think.).

And now, the rest:

It is kind of funny how I used to dream of a job that would be sitting in an office. I mean, honestly, who wouldn't want their own cubicle and computer and office drama? Okay, maybe I have been influenced by some TV shows a bit too much, but hey.

Well. It appears that office job is not like this in Estonia's case. Having worked in two now, the only good thing is probably not having to communicate with clients from face to face (an introvert in me is just super happy about that). However communicating with coworkers is somewhy an obstacle I can't overcome. Especially if not only me, but the other person is on the upper end of awkwardness scale as well.

However, I have picked up some good tips on how to write official e-mails when you are customer and want to leave... well, a long-lasting impressioon of yourself. Here goes:

1. Just use CAPITAL LETTERS. Honestly, the fact that it is rude doesn't even matter! People understand everything written in CAPS LOCK much better and will DEFINITELY answers FASTER since they can SEE HOW SERIOUS YOU ARE.

2. Use a lot of exclamation marks!!!! Or even better, add some question marks!!! Nothing says like an official mail than ending sentences with ???!??!?!???? Again, you will get the attention you desperately want and do not worry - you totally won't be called "the exclamation mark client" in the future.

3. Threatening. Because obviously this will open all the doors. Nothing better like starting, or - for stronger emphesis - finishing your mail with "Do I really need to go to media with my complaint". Use this, when you know you really can't do anything and have already sent several mails, maybe finally this will magically fix your problems. Since, as they say: I read it on the news so it must be true. (Irrefutable - impossible to deny or disapprove. Sorry. Trying to get on with studying for a big expensive IELTS English test I'm planning to take that needs advanced vocabulary and this was new for me.)

4. Make unreasonable requests. Everyone knows that company workers can actually change and bend rules to match your needs. They are just lazy. Or don't have time to deal with your particular probleem. Also it is advised to make these kind of requests and complaints on things that don't really matter to you, but it will show how little things can't be ignored. Especially important is to remember to do this when you have the first problem ever. If everything has ran smoothly for several years and you meet a slight inconvenience, it is safe to expect this to keep repeating unless you make a huge deal out of it and just accuse everyone you can think of. Someone has to be at fault!

However, these all won't grant you the unforgettable status. So here is the last one, most important and probably the one that takes the most courage:

5. Send mail out of boredom. It can be anything, but getting over the fact that you don't really have anything you need might become the problem. Therefore, do not forget that you can be vague. Actually, the more vague you are, the better. It will create a possibility that you will get an answer where someone asks for clarification and - you almost have made a friend! For example you can write to an official mail, asking the lack of variety in products. Why not write to bookstore and say "I wanted to find a book that would be more me, more personal but I couldn't and am very disappointed". Why not write to a clothing store, asking for "more colours and variety". Just let your mind be free and I assure you - you will be talked about for years!

Anyway, no matter how bitchy I sound, I actually wanted to say that all these do make good stories. And of course, if you really can't find anything or are in a hurry or don't know what you have to or should do, asking for help is important and I hope this didn't make it sound like every other people I have to deal with on daily basis is something of a moron. They absolutely aren't. Only every third is (just kidding, again).

Have you ever worked a job that just had same annoying customer situations over and over again? Have you ever sent this kind of mail or called in order to "release some anger"? Let me know so I ćan have proof what a bunch of weirdos we all are!

2. The Blind Ones. More commonly:

• Do you have any soup? Oh, a menu? I don't have my glasses.
• Can you read me everything on the menu? What was the first thing again?
• What food do you have? I don't understand when I read, can you read it out loud?
• Ah, a menu? I think I won't eat here then.

How would to explain the music you listen to?

- Atmospheric pop that balances '60s psychedelic guitar rock and more contemporary electronic dance music.
(Honestly, I am not entirely sure I know what it means. I will have to pretend I do to uphold my music geek image.)

Has it always been like this?

- Absolutely not.

An example of my music taste change in order of getting these CD-s.

Since you could just see your end of the year Spotify stats, I thought I can't pass this oportunity to slightly mention what kind of music I listen to. For the past 6-7 years I have moved from visual Korean pop music to... Norwegian pop music. And rock. And rap. But the main difference is probably me understanding the lyrics in case of English songs and also paying more attention to music, not only visuals, such as dancing and presence.

I'm so glad to all of twitter people, because after the weirdest thing called "Ylvis" happened to me, I would have been stuck if not for you recommending me stuff, talking about artists I had no idea about. I'm in love with just literal music more than I have ever been.

Also - how many of you think of the production behind the whole thing? I mean, not really, right? But after discovering that all of my favourite Norwegian artists' songs had this in common, I started to appreciate the role of producer a whole lot more.

This will be a short recap of how I got my cat, my adorable companion named Motu.

The name itself is a story already, since I was at the time living with my two best friends. We had been wanting a cat forever, but everyone told us not to get one, because "you will move apart and then what".

So in the end I wrote to cat's shelter and asked if we could maybe keep one in short time, just to be a foster home, not forever home. It took months, until finally a very nice person sent me a mail, asking if we could host one cutie that was at the same day rescued from the streets. Of course we could.

One of my friends organized the car and off we went, to other side of town to vet, because he had an operation and stuff done before we were allowed to take him home. It was a great decision and I'm pretty sure it was the moment everyone already knew we wouldn't give him away.

I also remember that while we were driving to the place, I got a call from some phone marketing company. I know, why would I even say this? But I think to this day it was the greatest answer I have ever given to when someone has wanted to sell me something. The thing was that they offered a TV package, like "yes, you can have like 150 channels and you only pay this much per month". I hate hanging up on people and making apologies, but I know that it is easier for salesmen if I say straight that I am not interested. So to make my point clear, I just stated that I don't have a TV. And made the person on the phone laugh for a minute straight. I'd like to think that they still sometimes tell about this weird girl in 21st century who doesn't have a TV. I think it was a happy ending to this, though.

Now back to the cat. We took him home and just sat with him, he had had his nose broken, but he was still super adorable and kept purring like there was no tomorrow. He was also limping his firs paw, but that passed soon and we were assured by the vet that he was okay. So when he finally was healthy again, he simply became to king of this flat. And it hasn't changed ever since.

About the name - my friend said that since he can't stop purring, and motors purr, we can just call him Motu to be special.