Today was the worst day at work so far, hands down. Not only did I not get a single dollar in tips, I had to endure the most hideous of French women on a private ride that thankfully was so unbearable (for her, apparently, for me, definitely) that she cut it short.
This woman and her daughter, well for starters were French and that never lends to favourably to politeness or generosity in tips. She was complaining - in French and English - before we even got her on a horse... eww, everything is muddy, the saddle is dirty, I want an English, no I want a Western, my back hurts so we can only walk and canter not trot, I want to gallop on the beach, is this ALL the beach you have, where is the sand, there are too many rocks, my saddle is hurting me... SHUTUP!!!!!!!
The daughter was quite a good rider, much better than the mum, and seemed to enjoy herself although neither wanted to do much cantering after the first time. And when they realised our beach was not a 50 mile stretch, she made some remark about being able to have the same ride in Europe, and that she wanted it to be cut short. FINE WITH ME. I tried my hardest to make it a pleasant experience but she just tried even harder to be difficult.
We came back under an hour after leaving, although the ride was meant to be 1.5 hours. The office manager asked what happened and when I told her, she understood. Ahh, the French, she said... and she's from the French side!! Needless to say I didn't get a dime at the end of it all, even though I still gave them a new, fun experience in the water at the end, in fact she didn't even say goodbye. We called ahead to her hotel to warn that she would complain and the concierge politely said, don't worry she is a bitch that has complained about everything here so far. Good riddance.
I had another ride, two cute little girls from Caracao I could practise my Spanish with, and 2 French/Canadians who could speak a bit of English. So it was a bilingual affair! Yay. They didn't tip me either. And that was a bitch of a ride, trying to keep them all in order. None could ride and the girls really both should have been on a lead but I could only put the older one, on the horse that kept eating. Glad to see the end of that one too.
I was SO thankful when the day was over. Couldn't get out of there quick enuf. I knew I had 6 days off ahead of me, and I was eternally grateful that included New Years Day. Party ahead!! So I was ready to get a pedicure and have nice nails for 6 days of the day.
Stopped at the supermarket for some food stuffs - needed to save money before the big party for Old Years - and quickly whipped up some spag bowl before heading to the beauty salon. Turned out to be too tight with time so shoved the food into one of my empty yoghurt containers and shovelled it down as we walked up the road. Everyone must have thought we LOVED our yoghurt. And with a Corona in the other hand, what a treat we must have seemed.
After all that rushing, turned out the salon was out of power and our "white skin" would be too difficult to work on in the dark. Forgive me for thinking black skin would be somewhat harder to see in the dark, but apparently that's the truth! So we were relegated to the following morning, which really pissed me off since I knew how hectic it was going to be anyway.
So we went for some drinks to Buccaneers and La Bamba, as per usual, ensuring that any activity we had planned for the next morning was going to be that much more difficult to carry out. But then again, that's what we do best!
Showing posts with label no tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label no tips. Show all posts
Friday, 6 January 2012
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Tightass Saturday
Saturday night. Doing the washing. Oh, what a life I lead!
Was a pretty shitty day at work today, forget Tightass Tuesday, it was Tightass Saturday fo sho. Got the least amount of tips yet - just $8! I don't know what was up with everyone today, but J didn't get much either. I think I went on 3 rides, the last just a couple who booked an hour and ended up getting me all to themselves. I always think, if it's your first time on a horse, if I make it such a friggin enjoyable experience, where's the money dawwwg??
On the other hand, it's not often you get tipped by experienced riders, especially ones who didn't read the brochure correctly. I had these 2 guys who worked with the rodeo in America disappointed it wasn't a 2-hour ride with running etc. Not sure where they got that idea from. They also tried to convince me that Wyoming was better than Colorado - where all these people think I should visit - because "in Wyoming you can find interesting types, like the man who just wears a diaper and a cowboy hat." Hold the phone, I'm booking my flight now!
Also, it rained unbelievably heavily last night - I was woken up by it! - so the ground was horrendously muddy and I was most of the day in my Crocs, which seep in the delightful mud/manure/piss/anything else mixture every time I squelch into a surprisingly deep mud pile. Sometimes you just can't tell, and then it's too late.
According to the paper, there were 8 cruise ships in today. Considering that number, we weren't at all that busy. I guess there's still a few contracts to garner for those companies.
Oh, I picked up a frog skeleton today. DIdn't actually realise that's what it was until I threw it away. Actually thought it was leftover strips of bacon fat sitting on a saddle attracting ants, and as it fell to the ground I noticed the vague shape of a head and a spine. But it was all squishy, not like bones... GROSS!!!
Got told to be a bit cleaner in the kitchen by the finicky old man that got me the gas, basically because one night I drank a beer and forgot to put the empty bottle in the bin, oh and I also sometimes leave my used matches on the bench. SHOCK, HORROR! I told him to chill out over a few matches and that I wasn't actually the only one using his stove when we didn't have gas, so whatever he was cleaning wasn't necessarily my leftovers. Fuck that, I do not like being told I'm careless and messy. They are just lucky they didn't live with those PIGS I lived with in London...
It's times like that I don't wanna hang around this island. I just want to go back to Australia, rent a flat with my boy and only have him pissing me off in my house! But then I go to the beach and look at the crystal clear water, feel the cool summer breeze and lay on the warm sand. And I could stay a little longer. Just a little.
Was a pretty shitty day at work today, forget Tightass Tuesday, it was Tightass Saturday fo sho. Got the least amount of tips yet - just $8! I don't know what was up with everyone today, but J didn't get much either. I think I went on 3 rides, the last just a couple who booked an hour and ended up getting me all to themselves. I always think, if it's your first time on a horse, if I make it such a friggin enjoyable experience, where's the money dawwwg??
On the other hand, it's not often you get tipped by experienced riders, especially ones who didn't read the brochure correctly. I had these 2 guys who worked with the rodeo in America disappointed it wasn't a 2-hour ride with running etc. Not sure where they got that idea from. They also tried to convince me that Wyoming was better than Colorado - where all these people think I should visit - because "in Wyoming you can find interesting types, like the man who just wears a diaper and a cowboy hat." Hold the phone, I'm booking my flight now!
Also, it rained unbelievably heavily last night - I was woken up by it! - so the ground was horrendously muddy and I was most of the day in my Crocs, which seep in the delightful mud/manure/piss/anything else mixture every time I squelch into a surprisingly deep mud pile. Sometimes you just can't tell, and then it's too late.
According to the paper, there were 8 cruise ships in today. Considering that number, we weren't at all that busy. I guess there's still a few contracts to garner for those companies.
Oh, I picked up a frog skeleton today. DIdn't actually realise that's what it was until I threw it away. Actually thought it was leftover strips of bacon fat sitting on a saddle attracting ants, and as it fell to the ground I noticed the vague shape of a head and a spine. But it was all squishy, not like bones... GROSS!!!
Got told to be a bit cleaner in the kitchen by the finicky old man that got me the gas, basically because one night I drank a beer and forgot to put the empty bottle in the bin, oh and I also sometimes leave my used matches on the bench. SHOCK, HORROR! I told him to chill out over a few matches and that I wasn't actually the only one using his stove when we didn't have gas, so whatever he was cleaning wasn't necessarily my leftovers. Fuck that, I do not like being told I'm careless and messy. They are just lucky they didn't live with those PIGS I lived with in London...
It's times like that I don't wanna hang around this island. I just want to go back to Australia, rent a flat with my boy and only have him pissing me off in my house! But then I go to the beach and look at the crystal clear water, feel the cool summer breeze and lay on the warm sand. And I could stay a little longer. Just a little.
Friday, 11 November 2011
Tightass cruise ships strike again
What a day. I rose just after 6am for a 7am start, actually enjoyed the early morning walk to work as the sun wasn't yet burning, and got to work getting every single available horse caught and saddled for the big day ahead. Was nice not to be sweating when I got to work - nicely, the breeze had returned although I could tell it was gonna be a sunny one.
The full set of guides - 5 in total - were on board for this day, so it was amazing to see how little got done in the first hours of the day. At one point I actually walked up to them all and said, "OK guys, so we have 5 guides here and no work being done... you think we should maybe get a crack on? Yep, that means stop rolling, put the spliff down, we have actual work to do." To which one pointed to his watch and the others just looked at me... yep, the boss definitely asked you to come in extra early so you can spend crucial time rolling joints.
Then, when we'd saddled the horses (and before I actually counted and realised they'd not saddled enuf), they get into their usual inane conversation that I so easily tune out of - mainly because I can't really understand their English when they joke amongst themselves, but also because it is just bullshit they speak. I had to physically extract myself from their circle just to get some breathing space. They asked what was wrong - I didn't mess about, I told them they talked too much shit and they're welcome to do that, but I don't need to be a part of it. Different cultures n all... more like different maturity levels. I really can't relate to these people sometimes.
We had 27 guests expected in the first hour and not much less for the hours to follow. I took 2 lots of cruise ship rides - I specify them because they are a specific route with specific guidelines which, if not followed, could potentially land us in hot legal water with the ships should something go awry. They are the most boring of rides, walking at snail's pace on the simplest of tracks and trying to buy time by taking photos on vantage points and talking about the island.
So after my 2 rides - and NO tips from anyone - I was a bit peeved. Do these people think we work on a king's wage??* I didn't think I was that bad a guide but apparently so. I wonder if they realise how offensive it is not to give anything on an island where that clearly is the culture (there are even signs saying, "Did you enjoy your ride? Then kiss your horse and tip your guide"). Later when I asked I, he said he didn't get anything either. Then another guide got $35. Frustrating.
Lunch never materialised either for me... I got a drink on the house but didn't have time to eat so I was doubly annoyed. Anyone that knows me knows how I get if I'm hungry. Well, that's normal isn't it?? So on top of that, things were disorganised at times and I didn't want to even enter into the debate most of the time, just stood there waiting for a resolve. Would love to know this place inside out so I could manage them all, would make it so much easier.
Then finally a say of sunlight - a private ride. I could distance myself from the darned tightass cruise rides, and most probably get a tip (finally). That ray of sunlight quite literally disappeared halfway through the ride, though, as we the predicted rain showers hit - and hit hard. I laughed it off, saying that no rain ever lasted more than 5 mins in the Caribbean. Yeah, that was a bad call. 15 mins later the rain still persisted, and we were soaked to the bone. Made going fast a little harder, but I let them run a little on the roads that drained off quickly.
They were a lovely, young American couple (and probably my best-looking yet), and I was slightly disappointed when I walked away with just thank-yous. Oh well, it was just one of those days, I said to myself. But when I was walking along a bit later, the guy called out to me and came up to give me a tip, saying I was an awesome guide. That was nice. Then I got let off work an hour early. And given my late lunch for free. Things were looking up.
Rode Spirit, the boss wife's horse, who was a good horse but a bit skittish and scared shitless of cows (always a good look when the guide is on a crazy horse), but was glad to get a go on him at all. The other guides have worked here for years and never been allowed on his back *insert evil laugh here*
There is a weird guy that wanders around Seaside that I just learnt was my boss' cousin (lucky I didn't say anything). Every time he sees me, he says I'm beautiful and today when I mentioned that he was repeating himself, he said he was just waiting for a comment back. I told him none was coming, and he rightly guessed that I was taken. But even if I wasn't... would not go for a crack addict. And someone who thinks it's OK to randomly stroke my arm. Shudder.
Writing this, I'm sitting in my towel with no motivation whatsoever to get in the shower, cook dinner or do anything really at all... My body is tired and I just want to sleep for 12 hours but I know the earlier I go to bed the earlier I wake up and stare at the ceiling, listening to the cocks crow and mozzies buzz around my head. Did I mention how much I love my lonely nights here?
*Later I learnt that the cruise ship charges over $100 for this simple horse ride if people book directly through them. No WONDER people don't wanna give us tips!! What a wrought!
The full set of guides - 5 in total - were on board for this day, so it was amazing to see how little got done in the first hours of the day. At one point I actually walked up to them all and said, "OK guys, so we have 5 guides here and no work being done... you think we should maybe get a crack on? Yep, that means stop rolling, put the spliff down, we have actual work to do." To which one pointed to his watch and the others just looked at me... yep, the boss definitely asked you to come in extra early so you can spend crucial time rolling joints.
Then, when we'd saddled the horses (and before I actually counted and realised they'd not saddled enuf), they get into their usual inane conversation that I so easily tune out of - mainly because I can't really understand their English when they joke amongst themselves, but also because it is just bullshit they speak. I had to physically extract myself from their circle just to get some breathing space. They asked what was wrong - I didn't mess about, I told them they talked too much shit and they're welcome to do that, but I don't need to be a part of it. Different cultures n all... more like different maturity levels. I really can't relate to these people sometimes.
We had 27 guests expected in the first hour and not much less for the hours to follow. I took 2 lots of cruise ship rides - I specify them because they are a specific route with specific guidelines which, if not followed, could potentially land us in hot legal water with the ships should something go awry. They are the most boring of rides, walking at snail's pace on the simplest of tracks and trying to buy time by taking photos on vantage points and talking about the island.
So after my 2 rides - and NO tips from anyone - I was a bit peeved. Do these people think we work on a king's wage??* I didn't think I was that bad a guide but apparently so. I wonder if they realise how offensive it is not to give anything on an island where that clearly is the culture (there are even signs saying, "Did you enjoy your ride? Then kiss your horse and tip your guide"). Later when I asked I, he said he didn't get anything either. Then another guide got $35. Frustrating.
Lunch never materialised either for me... I got a drink on the house but didn't have time to eat so I was doubly annoyed. Anyone that knows me knows how I get if I'm hungry. Well, that's normal isn't it?? So on top of that, things were disorganised at times and I didn't want to even enter into the debate most of the time, just stood there waiting for a resolve. Would love to know this place inside out so I could manage them all, would make it so much easier.
Then finally a say of sunlight - a private ride. I could distance myself from the darned tightass cruise rides, and most probably get a tip (finally). That ray of sunlight quite literally disappeared halfway through the ride, though, as we the predicted rain showers hit - and hit hard. I laughed it off, saying that no rain ever lasted more than 5 mins in the Caribbean. Yeah, that was a bad call. 15 mins later the rain still persisted, and we were soaked to the bone. Made going fast a little harder, but I let them run a little on the roads that drained off quickly.
They were a lovely, young American couple (and probably my best-looking yet), and I was slightly disappointed when I walked away with just thank-yous. Oh well, it was just one of those days, I said to myself. But when I was walking along a bit later, the guy called out to me and came up to give me a tip, saying I was an awesome guide. That was nice. Then I got let off work an hour early. And given my late lunch for free. Things were looking up.
Rode Spirit, the boss wife's horse, who was a good horse but a bit skittish and scared shitless of cows (always a good look when the guide is on a crazy horse), but was glad to get a go on him at all. The other guides have worked here for years and never been allowed on his back *insert evil laugh here*
There is a weird guy that wanders around Seaside that I just learnt was my boss' cousin (lucky I didn't say anything). Every time he sees me, he says I'm beautiful and today when I mentioned that he was repeating himself, he said he was just waiting for a comment back. I told him none was coming, and he rightly guessed that I was taken. But even if I wasn't... would not go for a crack addict. And someone who thinks it's OK to randomly stroke my arm. Shudder.
Writing this, I'm sitting in my towel with no motivation whatsoever to get in the shower, cook dinner or do anything really at all... My body is tired and I just want to sleep for 12 hours but I know the earlier I go to bed the earlier I wake up and stare at the ceiling, listening to the cocks crow and mozzies buzz around my head. Did I mention how much I love my lonely nights here?
*Later I learnt that the cruise ship charges over $100 for this simple horse ride if people book directly through them. No WONDER people don't wanna give us tips!! What a wrought!
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