Today, I took my friend out for coffee. We were talking about the various situations in out lives and I made the comment that I just wasn't stressed. I said, I'm just simply happy. She said that she could tell and was really happy for me.
Then as if to test the accuracy of my stress free claim, I got a flat tire on the rental car I was driving. I should mention that I really hated this rental car and was not looking forward to driving it for another 2 weeks.
I called the rental agency and they set up road side assistance. I was given an estimated arrival time of 89 minutes. I reasoned that it was a holiday weekend and well the temperatures were rather cold for South Georgia causing a delay. But after 90 minutes, there was no sign of the help. I called the roadside assistance number to see what the hold up was. Keep in mind I've been waiting for over and hour and a half in 35 degree temps. When I asked where the assistance was, they told me they don't have a driver available right now and they can't even give me time when I can expect help.
My friend and I decided we are capable grown women who can change a tire. So out we went about doing just that. We got the spare and jack out. Then we discovered that we couldn't budge the lug nuts. It occured to me that the lug nuts were the locking type. So I start digging in the car for the tool to unlock them. There wasn't one.
So I called the rental agency back. I was calm and polite. I made it clear that leaving me on the side of the road for hours when their nearest branch was 2 blocks away was not acceptable. I would gladly put the spare on myself if the needed tool was in the car. I was told that my complaint was being forwarded to the district manager and that they would get on the roadside assistance provider to get to me. After being on hold for about 10 minutes, they tell me my complaint was forwarded to the district manager but there was nothing they could do about getting me roadside assistance any sooner. I told them I was going to go the branch and give them my key and get another vehicle and they could collect the car from it's current location. The agent told me they could change the flat tire service to a tow but that I wouldn't be able to get another vehicle until they had the car back in their possession. I still remained polite but I was firm in my displeasure. Truthfully if anyone had a right to be a little rude or testy, I did.
My friend kept telling me I was being too calm. She said that she would have jumped all over them by now. (she is the one who is struggling right now) I said that getting ugly to these agents wasn't going to help anything.
My friend's mother (who is 76 years old and didn't need to be out in the cold) drove me to the rental agency and was going to drive me the 45 minutes home if need be. I walked into the branch office of the rental agency and told them what was going on. They took my key and put me in a better vehicle and sent me on my way. The agent at the branch office was pleasant and apologetic. He took the roadside assistance fee off the vehicle and gave me a free upgrade. He had been expecting me to come in 2 hours earlier and was mortified that I was on the side of the road for over 2 and half hours.
I was able to remain pleasant and calm through the whole thing. I didn't have to get nasty or rude and I got what I wanted in the end. The thing is getting upset and yelling or cussing wasn't going to solve anything. It wasn't going to make me feel any better once I calmed down. And other than not getting everything done that I wanted too, I was none the worse for wear.
I am actually really surprised at just how calm I was. I am grateful that little things are not getting to me like they used to. Part the reason for this is I am doing all I can and leaving the rest to the Lord. Part of it is keeping an eye on what truly matters. Part is just keeping the big picture in focus.
It was a good test of my stress free claim.
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