Great Expectations

For many new clients, they may not really know what to expect when they come for a tarot reading.  In fact, I find that most people come in with a pretty open mind.  But there are always the few that seem to have some unrealistic expectations about what tarot readers can or cannot do.

Here’s a list of a few of the “great expectations” that come into my office on occasion:

1. The Gambler: No, I don’t know when to fold them or know when to hold them but apparently some people expect that I can help them win at games of chance.  I get the request for “lottery numbers” more than I care to mention.  Don’t you think if I knew how to win the lottery I’d be driving a Mercedes or retired by now?  Once I had a client who asked about his “luck”.  The cards indicated hard work, not luck.  He blamed me for his losing streak after then.

2.  The Time Burglar:This is the person who assumes I have nothing to do all day but sit around and wait for them to show up. They are chronically late and don’t seem to understand that there are others waiting. I’ve gotten  much better at handling these narcissists but they never fail to annoy me. Yes people, I do have OTHER things to do!

3.  The Hex Mistress: Perpetually “unlucky”, this sad sack wants me to tell her that she has a curse on her and that her life issues have nothing to do with her poor choices.  She doesn’t want to take responsibility for her issues and make the changes.  She just wants me to “get rid of her bad luck”.  Sorry, I’m not a miracle worker nor am I going to let you off the hook.

4.  The Patient: I’m better than a counselor or so I have been told. Problem is, I am NOT a licensed therapist. This client wants to dump on me and expects me to be able to diagnose their issues.  No tarot reader should ever take the place of a professional.I feel that is unethical and does not serve the client.  I always refer troubled clients to a good therapist as I won’t take that responsibility on.  Years ago, I had a woman who came to me and remarked that she got rid of all of her meds after her reading because she felt so good.  I politely told her to go back to her psychiatrist and refused to see her as a client ever again.

5.  The Critic:This is the client who loves to come in and say “you were right about everything except this one thing..”.  They want to hammer that point home, so they’ll bring it up again and again.  In fact, every time they see you, they only want to talk about “that one thing that didn’t workout”.  They always have a bizarre indignant tone. I never understand what their point is.  Do they want to show me that I’m fallible? I don’t claim to be God.  My theory is that these people are very unhappy and want to make sure someone else feels just as crappy as they do.  I can only imagine how they treat their coworkers or loved ones.  After awhile, I get sick of their passive aggressive nature and just get rid of these clients.  (On a side note, I am thrilled if my batting average is only one thing wrong! Woot!)

As a reader, I am quite aware of my own shortcomings. I can’t work with every client. I cannot fix every issue.  I am humble enough to admit that.

I am also wise enough to know that most of my clients are real, wonderful and open people.  Therefore, I don’t let a few bummers create an atmosphere where I have a cynical attitude or unrealistic expectations of my clients.  If you are a reader, it is important for you to keep an open mind about your clients – even if they don’t have the same attitude about you.

Blessings!
Theresa
www.thetarotlady.com

©The Tarot Lady | Theresa Reed