basic communication skills

When did we stop listening? Or stop paying attention? I mean, in general.

I ran into 2 situations today. First I was waiting in line at the post office to pick up a work related package. I hate waiting in line at the post office. And since the open precisely at 9:05 am every morning (I have no idea why) there is always a long line of people. I was near the front. An elderly man was near the back. I heard him ask another person in line, "What street is this?" Pointing out the front door. And the person replied, "X Street." At which point the elderly man shook his head and asked another person. Because even the elderly man knew it was not X Street. The second person gave him the same answer. And so did the third person. I was too far away for it to be considered even remotely polite to yell out the answer so I didn't. Finally, the elderly man went up to the postal worker and asked. And the postal work gave the exact same answer. How can so many people be wrong? The elderly man argued it this time. The postal worker -- sure she was right said, "Sir, if you turn right out of the parking lot and go up to the light you will be at X Street." At which point the elderly man said, "And what is the name of the street that I would be on as I drive up to X Street?" Oh! Basic listening skills.

Then I got back in my car and started to drive to work -- on X Street. Which is under construction. I saw a big orange construction sign. "LEFT LANE CLOSED AHEAD" Poo. I need to be in the left lane. Then I saw the big orange construction sign that shows you needing to merge to the right. So I did. Only one problem. The RIGHT lane was closed. Not the left. ALL the signs were wrong. And the sad thing is that this is not the first, or even the second, time I have seen this on this particular construction job. Pay attention!

Mean Mama