Today we had a 20% off sale going on at the store. Buzz, buzz, buzz . . . the peoples were excited.
My favorite customers were the husband-wife team who were shopping the puzzle aisle. We have approximately umpteen million puzzles. They were very excited about the news that they were going to get 20% off. Husband asked me a bunch of questions about puzzles--why some have higher prices, that sort of thing. So I shared my vast wealth of knowledge; special purchases where we pass on the savings, companies that use thinner cardboard and different piece sizes, special artists who must be getting royalties (we hope.)
His wife picked one of a kitchen scene, sunny window and shelves of white stoneware, she said it seemed like such a happy scene. He was carrying one with a landscape on it, but when he saw her reaction to the kitchen, he said "Let's get that one!"
It was sweet to see them negotiate with each other. She didn't want to force the kitchen scene on him, didn't think it was his taste, he pointed out that after they do that one, they could come back and choose another . . .
I enjoyed basking in the vibe of these folks getting along.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Unusual.
Today *I* was the Customer of the Day.
Usually I get along great with the Iranians who run the Greek diner in our shopping area. Usually I'm the one my co-workers tag to call in our orders, because they claim they can't understand their accents.
So it wasn't unusual that I called in the order or that I was the one who left the store to run over and pick it up. When I got back we were busy, so I left our lunch in the bag in our lunch area.
About fifteen minutes later, I opened the bag and found both orders had french fries when we both ordered the Greek potatoes, and instead of a gyro, my order had some sort of a sandwich wrap.
Darn!
So I ran it back across the street.
Mr. Iranian who is usually an absolute sweetheart--always has a smile & we always visit a bit--scolded me! He said "I give you order and you didn't bring it back! I had customers waiting and you took my order!"
I felt terrible. Everyone in the restaurant was staring at me. How could I?
Um, how could I know that whatever was inside the styrofoam clamshells WASN'T my lunch? I was sorry that I didn't check it earlier, but we were busy . . .
Anyhow, he tells me it will be twenty minutes before my lunch will be ready, I will need to come back.
I spent fifteen minutes feeling pretty lousy--although I knew it wasn't my fault--HE had handed ME the bag. . . . but still, I hate to make him lose the sale for his other customers. This little restaurant has really good food, but they're slow, and business does not seem to be brisk. I suspect many customers are like my co-workers--they can't understand his accent and so they're reluctant to deal with him.
When I returned, he was very apologetic. So. All's well that ends well. But I can only imagine what they had to say about me while they were waiting for me to figure out I had the wrong meal.
In my little world, I often end up the point man who gets to deal with the unusual people; are they hard to deal with? Curmudgeonly? Speak a different language? Deaf? Blind? Rude? Otherwise not cut out with THE cookie cutter? Those are my peeps.
Usually I get along great with the Iranians who run the Greek diner in our shopping area. Usually I'm the one my co-workers tag to call in our orders, because they claim they can't understand their accents.
So it wasn't unusual that I called in the order or that I was the one who left the store to run over and pick it up. When I got back we were busy, so I left our lunch in the bag in our lunch area.
About fifteen minutes later, I opened the bag and found both orders had french fries when we both ordered the Greek potatoes, and instead of a gyro, my order had some sort of a sandwich wrap.
Darn!
So I ran it back across the street.
Mr. Iranian who is usually an absolute sweetheart--always has a smile & we always visit a bit--scolded me! He said "I give you order and you didn't bring it back! I had customers waiting and you took my order!"
I felt terrible. Everyone in the restaurant was staring at me. How could I?
Um, how could I know that whatever was inside the styrofoam clamshells WASN'T my lunch? I was sorry that I didn't check it earlier, but we were busy . . .
Anyhow, he tells me it will be twenty minutes before my lunch will be ready, I will need to come back.
I spent fifteen minutes feeling pretty lousy--although I knew it wasn't my fault--HE had handed ME the bag. . . . but still, I hate to make him lose the sale for his other customers. This little restaurant has really good food, but they're slow, and business does not seem to be brisk. I suspect many customers are like my co-workers--they can't understand his accent and so they're reluctant to deal with him.
When I returned, he was very apologetic. So. All's well that ends well. But I can only imagine what they had to say about me while they were waiting for me to figure out I had the wrong meal.
In my little world, I often end up the point man who gets to deal with the unusual people; are they hard to deal with? Curmudgeonly? Speak a different language? Deaf? Blind? Rude? Otherwise not cut out with THE cookie cutter? Those are my peeps.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Thursday
Store was pretty quiet today until nearly lunchtime.
Customer: Did you watch the swearing in?
Clerk: Yes . .
Customer: Thing about it, have you shopped at Target lately?
Clerk: ?
Customer: There's lots of swearing there; menSWEAR, ladieSWEAR, kidSWEAR . . .
Clerk: huh.
Customer: Not like Walmart. It ought to be safe from terrorists . . . know why?
Clerk: ?
Customer: All the oranges have Naval Bases.
Fade to weary clerk still forcing a smile as Mister Cheerful leaves the store.
'
Customer: Did you watch the swearing in?
Clerk: Yes . .
Customer: Thing about it, have you shopped at Target lately?
Clerk: ?
Customer: There's lots of swearing there; menSWEAR, ladieSWEAR, kidSWEAR . . .
Clerk: huh.
Customer: Not like Walmart. It ought to be safe from terrorists . . . know why?
Clerk: ?
Customer: All the oranges have Naval Bases.
Fade to weary clerk still forcing a smile as Mister Cheerful leaves the store.
'
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Candy Day.
Somehow the only customer I dealt with tonight was a young man, about 12, gathering supplies for a science fair project display board.
He came in, found what he needed, had his items rung up, and whoops, it came to too much. So he went out to the car. He came back in, and put everything away.
:(
He left before I could do anything.
About fifteen minutes later he was back, this time he had more money. Apparently Mom went to the cash machine. This time I helped him with his shopping and steered him towards some products that were not as expensive but actually more appropriate. (I do know my glues.)
Science fairs suck. They suck the cash right out of you. This kid got the bare minimum, display board, markers and glue, and it came to nearly $15. This doesn't any include any supplies for his actual project!
He came in, found what he needed, had his items rung up, and whoops, it came to too much. So he went out to the car. He came back in, and put everything away.
:(
He left before I could do anything.
About fifteen minutes later he was back, this time he had more money. Apparently Mom went to the cash machine. This time I helped him with his shopping and steered him towards some products that were not as expensive but actually more appropriate. (I do know my glues.)
Science fairs suck. They suck the cash right out of you. This kid got the bare minimum, display board, markers and glue, and it came to nearly $15. This doesn't any include any supplies for his actual project!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
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