I don’t know when it became acceptable for others to simply do whatever they feel like doing at any given time, speak to you however they feel or act however they want. Today’s society drains me as there seems to be no common courtesy in the world anymore. Yesterday I went to my local health food store. Unfortunately, I said I wasn’t going in there ever again after something happened the last time I visited. I spent about 6 months personally boycotting the store. Seriously.
Until I needed some things that no one else sells. So I made my trip up there hoping I was going to see him…the cause for irritation. I made it into the store and poof, he magically appeared. Throwing a comment over his shoulder as he walked by me, can I help you find anything, as he kept walking away from me. Yes, actually you can. I need coconut butter. Using a simpering, irritated voice “Oh my God. You are like the 5th person to ask for coconut butter. I do NOT have it. I have coconut manna. What do you all want it for anyway?” As he sighs heavily like I am putting him out. Did I mention that he is the owner? Well he is.
Let me tell you about the first time I ran in with my whole family to get something. It was like 4:45 p.m. and I needed something as I eat gluten-free. Some of my ingredients are difficult to get. I am sometimes, erm lots, depressed when I can’t eat similar items my little family is eating as we used to make things together. We have changed our whole eating habits for me as a dinner ritual, which is nice, but occasionally, I want a cookie darn it. So we went in to get some ingredients only this guy has. Seriously, it wasn’t much of a list. I went in and they yelled out “Closing in 15 minutes.” as a way of greeting us. No hi. No hello. No welcome. Nothing. I got my little things with my husband and kids as we were on our way to my parent’s house, and went to the counter. From behind the counter a voice says “BETTER late than NEVER” in a seriously ugly tone.
So number one, I am doing this guy a favor by shopping in his store. Number two, I get no recognition, no greeting, no courtesy. Number three, it’s like I am putting him out by being a customer. So I refused to enter the store for months and apparently he hasn’t changed because after he “helped” me yesterday, he proceeded to mention things he can’t sell now because we are getting a Whole Foods soon and people would just drive there, which by the way, is 40 minutes away right now. So let me just gently remind you all, if you are a small store owner, a business person of any kind and someone is doing you a favor, don’t speak to them like you can’t be bothered or perhaps “don’t have the energy” to treat them right. They will remember. Trust me. Treat the person how you would want to be treated. It’s just a small thing in this world. Kindness. Pass it on.
