Work: Part 1. The Pharmacy

Once again, I have a serious amount of important work due tomorrow and so, once again, I find myself very inspired to blog.

I started work a few weeks ago at the Camden news agency. This has been wonderful for 3 reasons.

1. After living the last 20 years following a carefully designed graph which allowed me to ration out any birthday money I received with the steadily declining generosity of my parents, I suddenly find myself with more moolah than I know what to do with.
   
   
2. It has made me suddenly so determined to have a career at some point. Just a few months ago my life fallback plan was always, 'I'll just be a check out chick'. After having spent less than a month as a checkout chick I can safety say that this is (at least for me) no fall back plan at all. Unless of course, my life plan is to commit suicide at 35
   
   
3. I get to interact with some of the best and worst of Camden society from whom of which I have learnt many a life lesson. It's been great.

My job is of two parts.

Part 1: Working the register at the pharmacy

Part 2: Running the book store

Thankfully my shifts often alternate, because going from one to the other is a really nice breath of fresh air. Especially after working at the pharmacy. 

Stories of the Pharmacy

Life Lesson #1:

A lot of smelly people come by a pharmacy.

Not just smelly people.

Like. Stenchy people.

People who have decided that they are just so, so sick that they cannot shower or wear any deodorant before they come to get their medication. In fact, they can't even change the clothes which they've been sleeping in, vomiting in and just generally mooching about for around 2 weeks in. It is not uncommon for the smell to hang about for up to 15 minutes after these people have left. I honestly don't understand their mindset. It's like they're thinking It's okay, it's a pharmacy. They're used to sick people, They won't judge me.

On that note I would like to introduce

Life Lesson #2:

People think that because I work at a pharmacy, I won't, no, can't, judge you.

WRONG. You DO get judged. I AM JUDGING YOU. RIGHT NOW. STOP STINKING SO BAD. THANK YOU.

Also, next time you come in to pick up your prescription. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FERRET IN THE CAR. It is NOT okay to wear it around your neck like a scarf then just laugh as it squirms and tries to escape and SHRED YOUR FACE OFF.

You and your 6 red headed, feral children are being judged.

If you decide not to wear shoes. Or a shirt. Or pants. You will be judged accordingly.

There. Now you are ALL aware.

If however, we are going through your prescriptions together, and I'm reading them aloud to make sure I've got them all, and I accidentally say really loudly and insensitively 'and this cream for vaginal warts?' you are well within your rights to shoot me a death glare and judge me. Oh. Judge away kind lady and thank you for not reporting me to my superior.

Again. I'm very, very sorry.

You are also well within your right to judge me when you're trying to buy condoms and I go bright red and drop them, and then drop all the change on the ground. Yup. I'd expect nothing less.

Life Lesson #3:

Some people just suck/pharmacies have too many 'health/diabetes/asthma/rewards' cards. They are confusing.

So this woman came up and was like.

Woman: I want this medication...OH! And I brought my health card

Me: Uh...oh...um...okay

I took the card from her and took it to the pharmacist on duty, Darren.

Me: Darren, what do I do with this card?

Darren: Well Elyse -

Woman: YOU JUST WRITE DOWN THE NUMBER AND GIVE IT BACK TO ME

Darren: Well, no, you need to give it to me and then I'll...

Woman: No you don't

Darren: um. Yes...I need to put.

Woman: THEN JUST GIVE ME BACK THE CARD, THE SCRIPT, EVERYTHING. I'll take my business ELSEWHERE.

Darren: OKAY. DEAL.

I handed the lady back her card, she snatches it out of my hand and storms off. Darren and I look at each other in utter bewilderment.

There is a long pause and then Darren shakes his head

Darren: The crazies are out in force today... oh well. At least we get paid by the hour.