My Personal Assistant Left Me

She only lasted for a month more or less. My assistant left me because my mere presence made her shiver. Nangingnig pala sya pag tinatawag ko. I would be too mean to stop her from leaving. I didn’t want to be the cause of her stress and tension. Kawawa naman sya. She should be inspired to work, not terrified, by me.

She was the niece of an acquaintance of mine. I was hoping in the beginning that we would click together. Maling akala. It was all my fault. I tried to be nicer but there were still tasks to be done and that caused all those shaking and shivering.

Her first week was spent arranging my files, clearing my clutter, throwing away papers I didn’t want and need. With my guidance, she was able to perform that simple task. The second week was less busy because I was in and out of the office and forgot to give her instructions. Oh, I know, she bought a new office table, set-up her own computer, etc. The third and fourth week, I went out of the country so her days were spent generally relaxed. She probably helped the other kasambaho (kasama sa trabaho) do some easy clerical work.

After I came back from abroad, I already noticed her blank looks. When I gave her instructions, her eyes would look at a lost or the vibe that I picked up was she had some empty space in her head.

I had to give her tasks, starting with simple stuff, before I assign to her more difficult errands. What’s the more difficult errands? To go the munisipyo, to pay for this, to file this. Still easy. Difficulty only comes to people who don’t know what to do or have very low comprehension.

I am not a sweetie type of boss. I don’t call people iha or honey or darling. I call them by their first names or nicknames if I know their nicknames.
The problem with me (one of many) is that I lack charm when I am interacting with my kasambaho (kasama sa trabaho).

A——–“Noel, gusto kong magkameron nung video clips ng basketball game, yung kasama si Marvin?”
Noel—–“Mam, wala kong kopya”.
A——–“Kontakin mo ang Ford, meron silang professional na videographer… request for a copy. Ipa-email mo”.
Noel—–“I will try mam”.
A——–“Don’t try”.
Noel—–“I will do it mam”.
A——–“Of course”.
#nikejustdoit

Sales Staff to a client on the phone—–“Sir, daductable sa downpayment mo”.
A——–“Deductible”.
Sales Agent——-“Ay mam, mali ba?”
#englishreview

A———“Nadyan ba si Remy?”
Staff—–“Hindi ko ho alam”.
A———“Di ba dyan lang ang table nya? Tingnan mo”.
Staff—–“Nung byernes nadito sya”.
A———“Ang tanong ko kung nadyan sya ngayon”.
Staff—–“Hindi sya nagtext. Nung byernes boss nadito sya”.
#blankspace

10 am When I entered the showroom
A———“Hi”.
Female Staff—–“Good Afternoon mam, good after, good morning”.
#afternoondelight

11 am while walking in the office hallway
Male Staff–“Good evening mam”.
A———–“Gabi na pala”.
Scratched his head.
Male Staff—“Good afternoon mam”.
#dayandnight

While going up the stairs,
A———“Ikaw ba yung naamoy ko?”
Male staff stopped and looked confused.
A———“Yung suot mo, yan ang amoy ng nilabhan pero hindi natuyo ng ayos”.
Male staff—-“Hindi mam ako. Wala akong naamoy”.
A———“Hindi rin ako. Ikaw yun. Siguraduhin mo lagi na maayos, malinis at mabango ang damit mo. Nakakahiya sa customer kung maamoy na ganyan”.
Male staff—–“Yes mam”.
#senseofsmell

A———“May telephone number ka ni Vicky? Tawagan mo, sabihin mo….”
Staff—–“Wala”.
A———“Tumawag ka sa trunk line nila, pa connect ka kay Vicky”.
Staff—–“Hindi ko boss alam ang number sa Connecticut”.
A———“Nay ko, hanapin mo, tanungin mo sila dyan lahat”.
#abilidad #resourcefulness

Even if we don’t advertise, many job applicants come and submit their resume to the security guards. With this many applicants, swerte na kung merong isa na potential.

The search continues