Flesh and Blood

After hanging up from a call at work recently, one of my colleagues stepped into my office. I could tell from the look on his face that something was up.

Handing me a note with a gentleman’s name and phone number on it, he said “This guy called for you while you were on the other line and he was a complete ass, I don’t know what his problem is but he’s all worked up!”

After hearing what the guy said I may have gotten a little worked up myself. I hadn’t spoken with him before, it was his first time reaching out to us and I was bewildered why anyone would be so rude, especially during an initial contact. I thanked my coworker and told him to try shrugging it off, that the guy was probably either having a bad day or he was just a miserable person in general. I purposely waited a while before calling back, for both our sakes.

He was nice enough at first but it didn’t take long before he was interrupting me. “Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, MIKE…let me save you some time bud. I just wanna know the pricing and schedule an appointment, I know all about this other stuff. I’m an educated man.”

The thought of just blurting out our fee structure, thank him for calling and hanging up was tempting, but he didn’t know all that he thought he did and I had to do my job. Told him I’d cut to the chase but there was a little more we needed to discuss prior to scheduling him. I continued on and it wasn’t ten seconds later before he started again: “Mike, Mike…..MIIIIIKE…..seriously dude let’s not waste each other’s time, as long as your pricing is competitive that’s all I care about.”

Ever bite your tongue til it bleeds? Ok me neither but I told him – again – that we don’t just schedule appointments without discussing certain things, that it wasn’t just about the price and that by continually interrupting me he was making it take longer for us both. After a pause on his end, he conceded, and by the end of the conversation he was scheduled – for later that same day. Oh boy.

It was a busy day at work. I had several back-to-back appointments and after one of ’em ended, I grabbed a quick drink in the breakroom. One of my other coworkers was there and said “hey just a heads up, the 2:00 appt guy is in the lobby filling out his paperwork and he said he wasn’t very happy with how he was treated on the phone.”

Ohhh reaaaaaallly!

After the guy in question – we’ll call him Jim – finished the initial steps of his appointment, it was my turn with him and he came into my office. He wasn’t at all what I pictured. He was about my age and as nice as could be – I immediately wondered how this could be the same guy I spoke with earlier. He seemed to have cognitive challenges – it took him a while to think of what he wanted to say at times, and it was difficult for him to finish his sentences. After talking further about our services, he mentioned that he really couldn’t afford it yet but he scheduled the appointment anyway because he thinks he’ll have the funds soon and wanted to meet us in person. He went on to say that he rode his Beachcruiser bike to our office cuz he didn’t currently have a car, and was nearly hit twice by distracted drivers who were on their phones. Upon hearing how far he rode to our office, I was shocked.

Jim also said he recently lost his mother, who suffered from dementia.

I could see the pain in his face. Sitting across from my desk was a man who, by all accounts gave the initial impression that he was a complete jerk. Now that we were face to face, it was a different story.

I sensed embarrassment on his part that he had shared so much, but it also seemed he was simply a lonely guy who needed someone to talk to and was hoping someone would listen. At that point, it was anything but business as usual.

It was just a couple of guys talking about life.

We finished up, I had another appointment right after Jim’s and we had run a little late. I tried picturing him riding his bike all the way home again and wished it was the end of the day so that I could offer him a ride. I thanked him for coming in and told him how much I enjoyed talking with him, extending my hand for a handshake. He reached his hand out, then said…

“Would it be okay if I gave you a hug?”

Wow.

Of course man. We hugged and it wasn’t just the normal quick one that guys do – it was an actual hug between 2 guys who just met, but found a connection of the soul. I knew it wasn’t just that he wanted to give me a hug, but that he needed one for himself.

Funny thing about hugs – when we give, we also receive. And I received one too.

Thank you for the unexpected dose of humanity Jim. It was my pleasure to meet you.