I hate to speak ill of the dead, but one time I found myself traveling through the area and coincidentally had to board at Kishi station. Tama-chan was apparen

I hate to speak ill of the dead, but one time I found myself traveling through the area and coincidentally had to board at Kishi station. Tama-chan was apparently the only one on duty at the time--I wouldn't have known this but when I saw her picture I recognized her and realized it was indeed the same attendant. In any case, I just had to make change and get a ticket, and rang the bell at the counter next to the kaisatsu. No one answered, and then suddenly I realized that this Tama-chan was casually laying down and staring at me from a chair in the office. She made no move to help me, and simply yawned! I was quite surprised because service in Japan is usually excellent. Feeling slightly miffed but wanting to give her the benefit of the doubt, I asked her for help directly. She not only continued to ignore me but turned away to stare at the wall, deliberately showing her disdain. Finally her supervisor (I assumed) returned. He was able to help me, and afterward, trying to remain calm, I coolly mentioned--with Tama-chan audaciously staring right at me, completely unconcerned with her dereliction of duty--how little help she had been. He chuckled and nodded. "Yes, she's rather useless for this sort of thing, but the customers passing through love her." I was honestly a bit put off and entered the gates feeling distinctly annoyed. That said, of course I have sympathy for Ms. Tama-chan's family and friends--may she rest in peace.