What I Learned from the Hertz Rent-A-Car Agent

Rarely does a week go by that I am not traveling for work.  I have become versed in the drink offerings at various airport lounges, frequent flier perks, and hotel points systems.  I have learned to master the art of packing skin care and makeup essentials in a ziplock bag, being selected for free upgrades, and making client dinner reservations from my iPhone.  Obtaining airline status on as many airlines as possible has become a bit of an obsession.  I generally try to have a positive attitude about traveling for work, but a few things grate on my nerves.  Having to sit in a middle coach seat is an obvious one. Gate-checking a carefully and strategically packed carry-on bag is another.  And, then, there is renting a car.

While some people enjoy rental cars, I do not.  I would rather walk, take a subway, take a metro, or maybe even take a donkey than have to stand in the rental car line to drive an unknown vehicle and wonder who has previously been in it and what they might have done in it.  So, several weeks ago, when my car service fell through, you can imagine the mood I was in as I approached the line at Hertz (which, by the way, has a fabulous discount for American Bar Association members).  It was 11pm. I had been traveling all day and was tired.  The Hertz Gold line was closed, which put me waiting in line in front of three families, a hipster couple, and a guy in a suit that looked like he took himself far too seriously.  (Those who have read my tribute to the Poet will know that neither she nor I like people who take themselves too seriously).

About 20 minutes later, the guy in the suit approached the counter.  They did not have the car that he pre-arranged for.  He was clearly tired and frustrated.  He made a sharp and unnecessary remark to the agent.  She smiled and continued to process his order.  Once I approached the counter, I too, was frustrated by the long wait, but was more annoyed by the rude guy in the suit who was in line in front of me.  Life is just too short to be a jerk.  I remarked to the agent that I was sorry that the suit guy was rude to her, she remarked, "Oh, It's Okay, 'Aint No One Gonna Take the Joy Away From My Day -- I Don't Care What French Desinger Made His Suit."  Inspiration at a rent-a-car counter.  This was a first. That her inspiration had a little sass in it, made me smile a bit more.

Yesterday, I had a bad day on many fronts (and, yes, at least part of this was due to a person who takes himself all too seriously).  By 10am, I was about ready tocall it a day.  To try to get the day back on the right track, I went across the street from my office to purchase a diet coke.  As I reached for my wallet, I saw my ABA Hertz Discount Card and thought of the woman who I had met the week prior.  For the rest of the day, I repeated her mantra to myself: "Aint No One Gonna Take the Joy Away from My Day." I still do not like renting cars, but I do like inspiration and sass, and, yesterday, I was grateful that I found both last week at Hertz.