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RSS icon Comments on Why Do Certain Clerks At The Broadway Market QFC Hate Their Jobs So Much, And Who The Hell Gave Them Permission To Take It Out On Me All The Time?

1

Drama! Spill the beans, what happened. I am bored at work.

Posted by The White Blackula | April 3, 2008 2:17 PM
2

My favorite late-night QFC bit:
"Ladies and gentleman, the Broadway Market parking garage will be closing in 15 minutes. Again, the garage will close in 15 minutes. However, the Broadway Market QFC will NEVER CLOSE."

Posted by Chris | April 3, 2008 2:22 PM
3

Remember when the Broadway Market was actually worth going to? How many years ago was that? 10 or 12? The French Bakery, The Gap, The Pink Zone, the movie theater, the cruisy bookstore, B and O Espresso, *sigh* And Adrian giving blow jobs in the restroom upstairs! Those were the days!!!

Posted by Andrew | April 3, 2008 2:25 PM
4

adrian, is your appetite suppressant wearing off?

Posted by scary tyler moore | April 3, 2008 2:26 PM
5

i moved off the hill 10 years ago, but i clearly remember the Butoh Checker at the N Bway QFC.

Slow as FUCK.

Posted by max solomon | April 3, 2008 2:26 PM
6

The Cashier's Union, that's who. I've been a member; nastiness, sloth, and most of Pope Gregory's sins aren't grounds for discipline.

Posted by Dougsf | April 3, 2008 2:28 PM
7

They better have been pretty goddamn unambiguously, intentionally rude to deserve this sort of attention... I hope y'all realize there is a special circle of hell reserved for those who lack respect and sympathy for service industry workers. Just sayin'.

Posted by a | April 3, 2008 2:29 PM
8

I hope y'all realize that bitchy service industry workers should take a long walk off a short pier if they refuse to find a job that doesn't make them a miserable shitheel. Just sayin'.

Posted by Burgin99 | April 3, 2008 2:38 PM
9

98% of the cashiers there have never been anything other than pleasant to me. And some have been downright friendly... I'm there a lot, too.

Poor Adrian though, you must have caught someone on her bad day :(

Posted by Katelyn | April 3, 2008 2:40 PM
10

Actually, I'm surprised you haven't figured it out by now: No one likes you.

Posted by Mom | April 3, 2008 2:42 PM
11

This isn't LiveJournal.

Get a fucking personal blog for your trite little grievances, Ryan.

Posted by Non | April 3, 2008 2:43 PM
12

Feel lucky that you are not dealing with the workers at Madison Market. They never fail to frustrate.

Posted by bryan | April 3, 2008 2:44 PM
13

This isn't LiveJournal.

But continue to post whatever you'd like, Adrian! If I'm not interested, I'll just skip it like I do all of Jen Graves' posts.

Posted by Chris in Tampa | April 3, 2008 2:47 PM
14

It's a shit job that sucks the soul out of you, but somebody's got to do it. I tried everything to keep myself in a good mood - got stoned before work, stole stuff, wasted time writing haikus...sometimes, picking on a customer was the only way to make it through the day.

Posted by Hernandez (is a former cashier) | April 3, 2008 2:47 PM
15

@10

I love Adrian!.

@11

His name is Adrian, dumbass.

Posted by Mr. Poe | April 3, 2008 2:48 PM
16

cut them a little slack; they work in the most irritatingly designed grocery store in the history of the world, AND they're located on a prime bum strip, AND they have to deal with irritating yuppies, guppies ane hipsters all day long AND they're located under Gold's Gym so they have to put up with the odor of testosterone, crotch rot, santorum and an overuse of Abercrombie & Fitch cologne.

Not to mention the presence of famed cheese cutter, Cynthia Lauren "Julie McCoy" Tewes.

It's enough to make anyone cry.

Posted by michael strangeways | April 3, 2008 2:50 PM
17

I blame Kroeger. They must be the Darth Vader of grocery store chains. When the bought out QFC, the whole chain became noticeably worse. The same thing happened at Fred Meyer.

Posted by Westside forever | April 3, 2008 2:50 PM
18

you are endlessly bitching about my old column, and yet this is at least the third time i've found you referencing it. most peculiar.

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=20586

Posted by adrian | April 3, 2008 2:56 PM
19

Seriously, you need to post details, you professional-writer-type-person. Working at that QFC's gotta be a shit gig, what with (what I'm assuming is) low pay, an unglamorous environment, and Broadway bums trying to rip you off all day and night.

I've only ever been greeted by friendly cashiers. I've even had a few tell me that they didn't like their jobs, but were still pleasant about it.

Posted by JC | April 3, 2008 2:56 PM
20

oh, and that #18 was at you, #16.

Posted by adrian | April 3, 2008 2:58 PM
21

@ 15

His last name is Ryan. I was using it diminutively.

He'll probably have to look that up.

All the same, get back to your job as a waiter or whatever it is your ugly red-headed mug does, Ryan.

Posted by Non | April 3, 2008 2:58 PM
22

Hard hitting journalism from Adrian.

Posted by Jason Petersen | April 3, 2008 3:01 PM
23

That QFC totally has those self-service checkout stations. For these exact reasons I pretty much use them exclusively. Look into it.

Posted by kid icarus | April 3, 2008 3:06 PM
24

@21, that was mean, I mean totally true about him but still mean...."ugly red headed mug"!!!! LOL!!!!!

Posted by Andrew | April 3, 2008 3:06 PM
25

Perhaps the fumes from all those plastic bags have been affecting the cashier's brain. Fortunately our mayor is riding to the rescue!

Posted by Joe M | April 3, 2008 3:08 PM
26

@ 21:
well, non, "whatever it is my ugly read headed mug does" is get comment posts. let's see, 25 comments for a 23 word post. huh.

how you doin', beautiful?

ps--i've never worked food service, but thanks.

Posted by adrian | April 3, 2008 3:16 PM
27

About 98% of these questions can be answered with "cuz it's in cap hill, try another neighborhead kthxbye"

Posted by mackro mackro | April 3, 2008 3:18 PM
28

I love you, Adrian!

Posted by Soupytwist | April 3, 2008 3:19 PM
29

HAHA "neighborhood"

I donate the word "neighborhead" to the Slog community free of charge. Use it wisely.

Posted by mackro mackro | April 3, 2008 3:20 PM
30

Dear Adrian,

1)yes, I hated your old column.
I still do.
2)BUT, since you're so keen to reference old threads, you might note that JUST last week I wrote something very nice about your improved writing since you dumped the old print column. (sorry, I don't remember what story it was)
3)I didn't hear the Julie McCoy story from you; I heard it from another source. I think I got it from Fred Grandy. Maybe. Whatever.

Posted by michael strangeways | April 3, 2008 3:27 PM
31

Adrian is correct. Once I walking up the stairs to the mezzaine while a worker was mopping the stairs. As the mop was going backing and forth on the stairs, I walked up between the back and forth swings of her mop. She gave the finger. She was a little nuts, I know and I am glad she can be employed, but it was a little unnerving.

Another time I was waiting for a perscription, and for the umteenth time thir computer was down. The line was long and and no clerk said a damn thing about why the line was not moving. The head pharmisist stared into her computer screen and did not break her glance for ten minutes. I lost it and complained that she should update us as to what was going on and at least say that if you only had a drop off, to come forward. I was told she was on break. I have never returned.

These people feel very secure in their jobs. As soon as a non-union grocery store opens up near by, they won't. I say this as a union member.

Posted by Jeff | April 3, 2008 3:29 PM
32

Oh, Adrian, just be thankful that you have never had to shop for anything at the Greenwood Fred Meyer. Slow, rude employees? Try an entire store full of mental patients having severe episodes of something.

Posted by Fnarf | April 3, 2008 3:34 PM
33

the clerks at broadway are so slooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow

go so safeway

Posted by yea right | April 3, 2008 3:35 PM
34

Ever since, and before my silver jewelry cart working days in the old Broadway Market, people who work in that building are practically TOLD to be dicks. But, do you realize how many assholes come in drunk, drugged, trying to steal or take their bad day out on you?

I was always nice to you though, Adrian... little homos always made my day go by better. Shame on nast-ay QFC clerks that dont see the beauty in a breath of fresh air known as Adrian. Awe.

Posted by catnextdoor | April 3, 2008 3:35 PM
35

Yeah, it's such a shame we've outlawed public flogging for offenses such as serfs refusing to kow-tow to the idiotic whims of their "lords and masters" - not like nowadays when they actually get all uppity because you try to treat them like human scum.

And anyone besides me remember when the Broadway Market was the Broadway Fred Meyer? When it really was worth going to - because you could buy useful things like paint and hardware and planters and sporting goods?

Posted by COMTE | April 3, 2008 3:36 PM
36

@30
hello michael! and thank you for your kind response. i am indeed keen on referencing old threads, and yes, of course i noticed your kind words of my alleged "improvement"! i have been noticing them for several months. for the first several months it was all I HATE ADRIAN HE DRIVES ME CRAZY!, while the subsequent months you spent berating other commentors for just that behavior, admonishing them that if they did hated so-and-so so much, perhaps the should not read them, and spare themselves the anguish. good advice! then in regards to me specifically, the tone changed to, OH, i HATED HIM SO MUCH, but gee, he's a little better....and that's where we're currently stuck. since probably before christmas, by my guess. so here we are. so, indeed, i do pay attention, and i know exactly what time the wind is blowing. it does distress me however that you despised my poor old column so very much, for it always spoke very kindly of you. except for all your b.o. jokes all the time. that sort of always grossed my column out.
love or hate me, please. shit or get off the pot.this perdition is killing me.

Posted by adrian | April 3, 2008 3:37 PM
37

I've only really had problems with the checkers at the front of the store, but those people are some of the most unpleasant people I've had to deal with in some time.

I've actually started going to the Safeway on 15th just so I won't have to deal with them.

Posted by T | April 3, 2008 3:38 PM
38

I like the older bald gay guy in the back harvard side. Actually, I really like him. He remembers my name, and is always in a great mood. Nice guy.

Posted by catnextdoor | April 3, 2008 3:40 PM
39

Did someone say Broadway is sinking into a pit - the decay is tangible in even two months - about the last time I went there for three or four errands.

And they have not started digging the Sound Transit trench yet.

By the way, not sure what the other guy, Ryan did, but the QFC is the best of the places. Too big and screwy layout, but nice help and clean and great variety of stuff.

Shop late at night, the cute guy with the dark hair does BJ stockings on his long breaks.

Most likely, Ryan is not his type - oh well.

Posted by Xeres | April 3, 2008 3:41 PM
40

@35,

You still can buy that stuff. Interestingly the hardware section is in the old Fred Meyer space.

A couple months ago a clerk found something about my purchases truly hysterical (in a nice way, not in a I-can't-believe-you-like-that-shit sort of way). I was so flummoxed by her mirth that I didn't react very well. I guess it's people like me who turn QFC clerks into assholes.

Although, maybe it's the fact that I used to live in New York, but Seattle's surly service workers ain't got nothin'. Try enduring outright abuse from a New York cashier, not to mention price gouging and abuse from complete strangers on the street.

Posted by keshmeshi | April 3, 2008 3:44 PM
41

I avoid the former Harvard Market because the layout is beyond idiotic, but the few times I've been there people have been helpful. I usually go to the Bway/Pike QFC and everyone there is very nice - and a lot of the staff has been there for years and years. The checkers who man the self-serve checkout can be a little distracted, but it must be mind-numbing work when the only interstion you get is with people who are pissed that something isn't working.

The morning checkers at Madison Mkt are also great. The afternoon ones are less than stellar and anyone working behind the deli counter must be instructed to pretend they're swimming through molasses, but anything is better than Safeway.

Posted by genevieve | April 3, 2008 3:50 PM
42

I've been overwhelmed by a wave of Adriannousness.

I need to go lie/lay down.

But, I think we can all agree, we need to just burn Capitol Hill down, and start over from scratch. It did wonders for San Francisco after the 1906 quake/fire/soon to be a Brad Bird movie thingy.

That would be best.

Posted by michael strangeways | April 3, 2008 3:53 PM
43

I live a block away and have dealt with pretty much all of them, since I go there way too often. A lot of them recognize me, smile and say hi when I come in or we pass by. I've only dealt with unpleasantness from them a few times.

My favorites are the older bald gay guy and the tall woman with black hair. The older black gentleman is MADDENINGLY SLOW. The latino dude creeps me out.

Posted by Rose Red | April 3, 2008 3:55 PM
44

...older bald gay guy? Is he hot? Single? Fuckable? Do tell. Thanks.

Posted by Mr. Poe | April 3, 2008 4:01 PM
45

@42
agreed.

see how easy it is to get along?

Posted by adrian | April 3, 2008 4:10 PM
46

LEAVE ADRIAN ALONE!!!

(sobs)

Posted by Will in Florida | April 3, 2008 4:13 PM
47

Adrian fucking rocks, and he's right--clerks at the Broadway QFC can be frighfully moody.

Posted by Dominic Holden | April 3, 2008 4:25 PM
48

10 comments verifying Adrian's uselessness
30 comments by Mr. Poe under different aliases

It's absurd to whine about people being rude when you're whole Perez schtik was to be bitchy and nasty to any "Celebrety" I Saw You (a.k.a. that you HAD READ ABOUT)

That is, before your column got axed (correction @30).

Why does the Stranger even give you a password for Slog, anyway?

Posted by Non | April 3, 2008 4:37 PM
49

Mr Poe has aliases?

I've always suspected that Fnarf, Genevieve, Ecce Homo and Will in Seattle were all really Mr Poe.

They have the exact same writing style and a flair for fashion.

Posted by michael strangeways | April 3, 2008 4:44 PM
50

@ 48
i've been done talking to you for at least twenty minutes. please catch up.

Posted by adrian | April 3, 2008 4:44 PM
51

NONE of those people have a writing style even remotely like mine, except Mr. Poe, who stole 85% of his schtick from me. Hmmph.

Posted by Fnarf | April 3, 2008 4:50 PM
52

*your;celebrity

credibility lost.

Posted by Non | April 3, 2008 4:54 PM
53

Oh OK Adrian...I'm just not done reminding other readers and potential staff members how much some people want you gone, finally and permanently. Which won't happen till you are disallowed from posting on Slog.

Posted by Non | April 3, 2008 5:03 PM
54

@44

He's not my cup of tea (I'm a straight lady) but I could totally say that he's a good looking, older bald gay man.

Just go to the back (harvard) side to buy your stuff stuff sometime. You'll totally see him. It's always him or the ethnic looking one with the shakespeare facial hair. He's nice too, but not gay, and not older.

hot tip: make sure everything your buying you can use on him later. Cashiers dig that shit.

Posted by catnextdoor | April 3, 2008 5:08 PM
55

wail, wail, whine whine whine. "Non" stands for "anonymous", which is exactly what you are and shall remain. please, keep talking. soon i'll piece together exactly which of the guys i wouldn't fuck you are, or which whiny failed actor who blames me for a bad review. and trust me, loretta, there is a surprising glut of these. i have no illusions on the matter. you're hardly original. maybe your even the president of the club. who knows? who'll ever know? well, good to meet you, "non". so sad that you shall always remain that way. i bet that just burns your ass. and that makes me very happy.

Posted by adrian | April 3, 2008 5:11 PM
56

Anyone remember Steve, the awesome produce guy from when QFC was across the street?

Man, I miss Steve. He was the only good reason to go to QFC.

Posted by catnextdoor | April 3, 2008 5:15 PM
57

Adrian,

I assure you that we've never met. I just started disliking your mean spirited writing long ago. And yeah, non is for anonymous. Pretty much the way you were able to criticize and attack people back then (and now) without putting yourself on display or making yourself vulnerable to the same attacks you lob on others.


I bet you're fun and neat in person, I just despise the nature of your "career" with the Stranger.

/end.

Posted by Non | April 3, 2008 5:16 PM
58

(but I have seen you in person and callously stood near enough to know that you have red hair, try to look to young, and would be viciously attacked by Adrian Ryan if Adrian Ryan was critiquing Adrian Ryan.)

Posted by Non | April 3, 2008 5:19 PM
59

*too

OH SHIT LOOK WHO CAN'T STOP. well, if anything, I've certainly contributed to the comments in your thread. Who's the jerk now.

Posted by Non | April 3, 2008 5:21 PM
60

keep talking...keeep talking...

Posted by adrian | April 3, 2008 5:47 PM
61

This is hilarious. Best way to spend a thursday night sans Lost.

Posted by catnextdoor | April 3, 2008 5:54 PM
62
I've always suspected that Fnarf, Genevieve, Ecce Homo and Will in Seattle were all really Mr Poe.

They have the exact same writing style and a flair for fashion.

No way do they have the same writing style.

I used to suspect that Mr. Poe was ecce, it seemed like they showed up at about the same time. But I very quickly reevaluated that opinion. Mr. Poe's voice is playful. Ecce's is petulant

Posted by keshmeshi | April 3, 2008 6:46 PM
63

conclusion so far: "non"=spurned actor. updates as necessary.

oh, catnextdoor, this was never about you. you know i think you're delightful. buy you know who this IS about. come on. you do. (some others here sure have figured it out.)

Posted by adrian | April 3, 2008 7:49 PM
64

I am everybody. Everybody, hello.

Posted by Mr. Poe | April 3, 2008 8:08 PM
65

Word@Adrian, I know, it's all good. I'll always be your biggest fan.

Posted by catnextdoor | April 3, 2008 8:21 PM
66

My Jew wouldn't care.

Posted by Mr. Poe | April 3, 2008 10:06 PM
67

The cashiers there are 100% friendly! I like interacting with them. You know which cashiers suck the most!!? Those stupid fucking time wasting "Self check-out" aisles. Now they are all over the fucking store. After sitting in front of a computer all day I actually enjoy interacting with other life forms. I wish they'd get rid of those "Self check-out" aisles. They make no sense. You do all the work and QFC charges you full price. Shouldn't I get a discount for doing it all myself? Shouldn't the machines work? Shouldn't I feel bad that I am putting someone out of a job?

Posted by Dance Fever | April 3, 2008 10:53 PM
68

Adrian you are the sunray to the slog. Me love you long time.

Posted by kelly | April 3, 2008 11:11 PM
69

@40

No, Comte was not referring to when Fred Meyer was in the basement of Broadway market -- he was referring to when the entire building was one large single-story Fred Meyer building. If you look at the current structure, you can see that it's a new building kind of piggy-backing an older building. That older building used to be all one large Fred Meyer that covered half the block, and the back half of the block was a giant asphalt parking lot.

It was nice having a large sundries store on Broadway, but it was a terrible use of the land. Honestly, I was just as happy when they remodeled the property in '87.

Posted by Judah | April 3, 2008 11:18 PM
70

Not like its an excuse for poor manners, but after Kroger acquired QFC they went through months of negotiations with the labor union. The end result, accoring to the employees I spoke with, was cuts in helthcare benefits (much higher co-pays and elimination of family benefits), freezing raise schedules, no automatic pay increases for new employees, freezing of pensions. You name it, benefits evaporated. Why are they pissed? They took an immensely boring job based on the idea that they could support their families or at least retire comfortably and now they have lost their job security, retirement benefits and healthcare. Why are they frustrated? Hmm.

Posted by Morgan | April 4, 2008 5:57 AM
71

Not like its an excuse for poor manners, but after Kroger acquired QFC they went through months of negotiations with the labor union. The end result, accoring to the employees I spoke with, was cuts in helthcare benefits (much higher co-pays and elimination of family benefits), freezing raise schedules, no automatic pay increases for new employees, freezing of pensions. You name it, benefits evaporated. Why are they pissed? They took an immensely boring job based on the idea that they could support their families or at least retire comfortably and now they have lost their job security, retirement benefits and healthcare. Why are they frustrated? Hmm.

Posted by Morgan | April 4, 2008 6:08 AM
72

@59

Uhhhh...YOU ARE, NON - What a total jerk you make yourself out to be.

RE # 57 ...
"Pretty much the way you were able to criticize and attack people back then (and now) without putting yourself on display"

AND

"And yeah, non is for anonymous" .....

Ok "NON" - Adrian signs his name to all of his writing - so how is that not "putting HIMSELF on display? He stands by what he writes whether anyone else likes it or not. Despite the risks it poses - Just look at how FIXATED you've become with Adrian Ryan. Are you a stalker in the making? Is it time for Adrian to get a restricting order against you?

Your obsession with Adrian reminds me of a sexually frustrated
puritan who rants on about the evils of sex and then peeps into his daughters bedroom while she changes her clothes. How that Puritan covets, covets AND covets.

When and IF you ever grow a set of balls and start affixing your REAL name to your comments - I may actually take the time to read them in the future.

I'm sure others will agree.


Posted by Babs-RA | April 4, 2008 7:37 AM
73

I have always had the most courteous and friendly service there, and I shop there practically every day.

Posted by Lola | April 4, 2008 9:23 AM
74

Did something interesting happen in last 20 hours?

Posted by Spoogie | April 4, 2008 9:42 AM
75

there used to be erotic art upstairs and gay community oriented stuff in the market. Kroger made sure that came to an end and had the market errect the youth tile desplay and had art censored. At gay pride time you will not see anything along the lines of a rainbow flag or any outreach to the gay community.

Posted by jomama | April 4, 2008 9:45 AM
76

Since everyone is being so hateful I won't feel so bad about what I'm going to say. I can't stand the little older nelly gay man that cashiers at QFC on Broadway. She is such a sourpuss. The first thing she says is 'Got your QFC card?!' and then looks at you like you're mentally retarded. One time she actually crumbled up my change and handed it to me. After that I was done with her.

Posted by Pussy Dunkin Hines | April 4, 2008 12:09 PM
77

Oh Adrian... I've not been checking the SLOG of late, but now I see I should have been here to assist and defend you against this Non thingy/insect ..... you are indeed the sunshine not just of the SLOG, but of the entire fucking WORLD....

Posted by M | April 4, 2008 1:31 PM
78

If you decide to switch to Safeway on 15th be sure to avoid--or perhaps seek out if you have time to be entertained/horrified--Jeffrey. You can't miss him. He works nights, looks homeless, mutters and moves in slow motion. He has been there for years and whenever I see him I am amazed that he still has a job.

Posted by slooooow | April 4, 2008 2:21 PM
79

@72

I'm hot, and I'm not alone. So, the opposite of Adrian.

And I'm not a stalker. Stalking indicates interest in the subject.

Posted by Non | April 4, 2008 3:06 PM
80

Right. On. Brother.

I just moved a scant 4 blocks away from said QFC and have had two separate checkers throw my food around, be surly, and generally make me miserable for shelling out the dough that I do in the past two weeks. Yeah yeah yeah, the service industry sucks, boo hoo. I've done it, too, and you can damn well spare a smile or at least not be openly hateful as my two have been. I thought maybe I just needed to adjust to some sort of unknown bermuda triangle of jerkiness, but oh wait, I just moved from Olympia, queen city of jerky service providers. I expected better, Capitol Hill.

Posted by Glasses | April 6, 2008 12:49 AM

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