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So, it's 8:59 last night at my office supplies/electronics store. We're already in the process of closing the store, since it's mostly been dead all day. Up rushes a woman in her late-40s/early 50s.
Middle-Aged Customer (MAC): "Waaait! Please! I just need some CD-Rs!"
I took a look down at my watch, painstakingly set to the store's internal clock. It was, by my watch, 8:59:45. Fifteen more seconds. But, I thought, open is open. I slid the glass doors aside and let MAC into the store, feeling a pit in my stomach. I was hoping and praying to the Holy Spoon that this woman would not become the type that kept the entire staff here half an hour more than necessary (which had happened three times in the last two weeks).
Thank the Holy Spoon, she wasn't! MAC literally ran to the burnable media section, grabbed a pack of 10, and was up to the register within, literally, thirty seconds. MAC thanked the cashier, the manager-on-duty, and me for our help. Compelled, and feeling that this woman had a good vibe about her, I asked.
Me: Can't believe you'd need CDs this late, though.
MAC: Oh, you see, my mother's memorial service is tomorrow. I just realized I'd forgotten to burn some music!
Yes, folks, in spite of having to go something truly tragic, MAC was still very courteous, friendly, and pleasant. She even thanked me once again as she left the store and headed home!
I was, frankly, stunned. After seeing a customer nearly explode from prices going up a day before, here was a woman who had enough heart to show courtesy to her fellow human beings at closing time. I'm actually glad I let her in!
Middle-Aged Customer (MAC): "Waaait! Please! I just need some CD-Rs!"
I took a look down at my watch, painstakingly set to the store's internal clock. It was, by my watch, 8:59:45. Fifteen more seconds. But, I thought, open is open. I slid the glass doors aside and let MAC into the store, feeling a pit in my stomach. I was hoping and praying to the Holy Spoon that this woman would not become the type that kept the entire staff here half an hour more than necessary (which had happened three times in the last two weeks).
Thank the Holy Spoon, she wasn't! MAC literally ran to the burnable media section, grabbed a pack of 10, and was up to the register within, literally, thirty seconds. MAC thanked the cashier, the manager-on-duty, and me for our help. Compelled, and feeling that this woman had a good vibe about her, I asked.
Me: Can't believe you'd need CDs this late, though.
MAC: Oh, you see, my mother's memorial service is tomorrow. I just realized I'd forgotten to burn some music!
Yes, folks, in spite of having to go something truly tragic, MAC was still very courteous, friendly, and pleasant. She even thanked me once again as she left the store and headed home!
I was, frankly, stunned. After seeing a customer nearly explode from prices going up a day before, here was a woman who had enough heart to show courtesy to her fellow human beings at closing time. I'm actually glad I let her in!