So, I was having a rough patch. My father just died, my
family construct was insane, and there were a couple of other life crisis thrown
in just to make sure that the ditch I was in would stay as deep as
possible.
I could barely get myself off the couch. One day I decided I
need to buy myself something pretty. So, I went to a boutique that sells very
femmie girly clothes. They were not cheap but there were often affordable items
– such as the little cotton tank top with sequins. It looked good on and so it
was purchased.
I didn’t bother with it for a week and then out of the bag
it came. What I didn’t do at the time of sale was look at the price, I did that
day to realize this little tank was $180. I don’t think there is any reason on
earth for a cotton tank with sequins to be $180.
So, I took it back to the
store. I was told that there weren’t any returns only
exchanges. Fine. I thought I can reason a pair of shoes, or a
jacket for that amount of money. So, I looked around. I was being helped by a
lovely sales clerk, Julie. I tried on
boots, sandals, coats. I couldn’t make a decision. The whole time Julie was
kind and did not for one second lose her patience. I took a long, long time, and
there was Julie, considerate and smiling. Around and around the store I went,
trying on and trying on. I finally decided
on a pair of gold shoes (which I still wear and are fabulous) had to pay a
little extra money, but could validate the cost.
I went home and wrote an email to the owner of the store
praising Julie. How gracious and kind
she was. I told the whole story. I wrote that it was employees like Julie that
make me want to come back to the store and what a valuable asset she is. I received a reply from the owner, who said she’s known Julie
since she started working for her in the East Hampton store when she was just
16, and to thank me for the note.
Weeks later I popped my head into the store and there was Julie.
I told her I had written the note. Julie
told me how grateful she was. She had just gotten a degree in education and had
a new teaching position teaching little ones. She wanted to work one day a week at the
store, but was getting a little pushback. It was because of my note that the owner
agreed, and now she gets to work one day a week in the store that she loves.
What goes around comes around. It may not be as clear cut as this story
reflects but it’s always true and always works.
