A cure for utter cynicism
Can I just say that it can be a beautiful world sometimes?
Last week I popped into LuluLemon to see what kind of bathing suit-y things they had. I've never been before, always thought it was overpriced trendy yoga wear and I would have none of it, I tells ya, but my stepmother had received a few pieces one Christmas past and was beyond delighted so I thought "hey, why not?"
Now, I'm a chatty person, those who know me could attest to, and I have a tendency to be very loud and very silly when I'm in public. MonkeyMan always teases me that I can sweettalk anything out of anyone, but it's entirely because people fascinate and enchant me, and I'm often starved for company. Some people really don't like it - I was trying oh so very hard to be on my best, most grounded behaviour on Saturday whilst getting a pedicure with my stepmom - and others respond as though my giddy nattering has made their day. Either way, it's who I am.
So I'm gazing at the wall o' things that are going to make my ass looking huge, and salesgirl #1 comes up to me. I make a few quips about bathing suit hell, and then trot off to the changeroom to begin the emotionally vexing ordeal of trying on lycra in the company of wall to wall mirrors. While trying on said lycra, I continue to talk. And talk. And talk.
And within ten minutes I might as well have gone shopping with two of my best girlfriends, because the two salesgirls and I were in tight. We laughed and teased and complimented. We talked about Brazil and boys and bum sag. We made a lot of noise. It was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, all cellulite considered, and I walked out with a bathing suit and a big smile.
Having worked in retail and therefore fully aware of how much negativity gets tossed at salespeople on a daily basis, I made a point to send a quick email to the manager telling her how great these two girls were, how positive my experience was, how I will be back. And she wrote back an enormous thank you, will tell the girls, and so on. Karma points abounding.
And that was all last week. So imagine my surprise today when I receive a huge bouquet of sizzling orange gerber daisies and some leafy flora of some sort from the manager at LuluLemon.
I called her to say thank you and "you had me at hello!", or something like that. We are both now dangerously bordering on gushing when we speak to each other.
Your store is AMAZING.
I'm so HONOURED you think the store is amazing.
But it IS amazing. And those two girls are amazing. And these flowers are amazing.
It just means so MUCH to us that you took time out of your busy schedule to write to us.
And it just means so MUCH to me that you sent me these flowers!
And so on.
It's completely unnecessary but at the same time so beautiful, this to and fro of appreciation and affection. It's just so incredibly beautiful.
Last week I popped into LuluLemon to see what kind of bathing suit-y things they had. I've never been before, always thought it was overpriced trendy yoga wear and I would have none of it, I tells ya, but my stepmother had received a few pieces one Christmas past and was beyond delighted so I thought "hey, why not?"
Now, I'm a chatty person, those who know me could attest to, and I have a tendency to be very loud and very silly when I'm in public. MonkeyMan always teases me that I can sweettalk anything out of anyone, but it's entirely because people fascinate and enchant me, and I'm often starved for company. Some people really don't like it - I was trying oh so very hard to be on my best, most grounded behaviour on Saturday whilst getting a pedicure with my stepmom - and others respond as though my giddy nattering has made their day. Either way, it's who I am.
So I'm gazing at the wall o' things that are going to make my ass looking huge, and salesgirl #1 comes up to me. I make a few quips about bathing suit hell, and then trot off to the changeroom to begin the emotionally vexing ordeal of trying on lycra in the company of wall to wall mirrors. While trying on said lycra, I continue to talk. And talk. And talk.
And within ten minutes I might as well have gone shopping with two of my best girlfriends, because the two salesgirls and I were in tight. We laughed and teased and complimented. We talked about Brazil and boys and bum sag. We made a lot of noise. It was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, all cellulite considered, and I walked out with a bathing suit and a big smile.
Having worked in retail and therefore fully aware of how much negativity gets tossed at salespeople on a daily basis, I made a point to send a quick email to the manager telling her how great these two girls were, how positive my experience was, how I will be back. And she wrote back an enormous thank you, will tell the girls, and so on. Karma points abounding.
And that was all last week. So imagine my surprise today when I receive a huge bouquet of sizzling orange gerber daisies and some leafy flora of some sort from the manager at LuluLemon.
I called her to say thank you and "you had me at hello!", or something like that. We are both now dangerously bordering on gushing when we speak to each other.
Your store is AMAZING.
I'm so HONOURED you think the store is amazing.
But it IS amazing. And those two girls are amazing. And these flowers are amazing.
It just means so MUCH to us that you took time out of your busy schedule to write to us.
And it just means so MUCH to me that you sent me these flowers!
And so on.
It's completely unnecessary but at the same time so beautiful, this to and fro of appreciation and affection. It's just so incredibly beautiful.
Comments
Having said that, you go into some shops now and you barely get looked at by the staff... I don't think some people know how to be polite. I don't want much - just a recognition that I am a fellow human being - and sometimes I don't even get that.
You've got a new best friend, by the sounds of it.
ST
(oh, and did someone mention lycra???)
I hope the suit kicks ass!
well, not really. but its a great story anyways-why can't all shopping excursions end up so pleasant?
Ib, if a handsome and intelligent fellow like yourself ever passed me a note saying I'm wonderful just because I'm giggly and extroverted, I'd soar for the rest of the day. What a lovely thing to do for someone. You can propose to me anytime it strikes your fancy.
That's so awesome that they were so appreciative. It's great when good emotions are reciprocated, a better high than drugs I bet.