In the Store

Meeting and greeting people in the shoe store is often done with mixed feelings.  You never know who you are going to get - a wonderful, average or difficult customer.  I have learned to shift into neutral gear and deal with whoever it may be.

One day I served an elderly lady, who after trying on a couple of pairs of shoes, decided that she only wanted shoelaces after all.  It was clear to me that perhaps she couldn't afford the shoes I had offered her, on an aged pension (a common occurence).  So I began unlacing her old shoes and re-lacing them with the new laces.  When I picked up the shoe, a jigsaw puzzle piece fell out and I held it up to her - "were you looking for this?"

She was instantly delighted with me for finding it and gave me a friendly shove.  She had looked everywhere for it!  She asked me my name and I told her.  She laughed and said her name was Pat! She left the store as happy as can be, with me also smiling!

It's these little connections made with people that make the job so worthwhile...