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Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:27 pm  |
| Ok, so this is what happened today: I was out and about running errands, and in the drugstore I was chatting with a girl who works there who is about my age. We're on good terms and we usually talk for a little bit whenever I go in to the drugstore. So, today I asked her how she was doing, and she said she'd had a really rough week--- her baby had apparently been in the hospital for a couple days, and she hadn't been getting much sleep. I tried to think about what might cheer me up a little if I were having such a lousy week and had to come in and work, and the only thing I could think of was a cup of really good coffee so I asked her if I could go get her some coffee. She hesitated a little bit but then said yes, so I went and got her a latte from Panera and she seemed happy. However, I was thinking about it, and I wonder if it isn't a little sketchy being offered coffee from someone you barely know, and so I can't figure out if I did the right thing or not. So, ladies who work in retail, please tell me your thoughts: would you have been glad, or just weirded out? |
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27, sensitive/reactive/acne prone skin, dark brown hair, blue eyes, possibly the palest woman alive... |
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:33 pm |
I think it was very, very thoughtful. Maybe the reason she hesitated was that either she didn't know if she could drink it while at work or knew there were rules against it. Just a thought. I don't think she was weirded out just maybe taken aback at someone's thoughtfulness.
Ari |
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Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says, "Oh Crap, She's up!" Unknown |
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:33 pm |
I would have been very happy my dear (I worked in retail FOREVER), if she was weirded out maybe its because women are not accustom to other women being nice to them (for no reason). I would just assure her next time you see each other that you are not a total weird-o, that you just wanted to cheer her up!  |
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27~Texas~Oily~ fair~ breakout prone~ easily congested~Cysts caused by emotional stress~ Using Ayurvedic skin care and philosophy~ Dry brushing body and face~ On strict less is more routine~ We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars~ Oscar Wilde |
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:36 pm |
| If you said that you're on good terms and that you chat whenever you visit the store, I don't think there's anything weird about you buying her coffee just to cheer her up. In fact I think it was a very nice gesture. |
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:56 pm |
I work retail, at a jewelry counter, and we're not allowed to accept things from customers. I've had people hand me tips and I have to give them back. Perhaps she thought she'd get in trouble.
BUT! It would be weird to me if a customer offered to go out and buy me something to eat/ drink. I would be afraid they wanted to drug me or something. Even though they were probably just being nice. |
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:59 pm |
A lovely gesture -- just be aware that salespeople are usually not allowed to eat or drink on the job. I'm sure that was the hesitation.
"What will I do with it till my break?" is what was playing her head. Not "what a weirdo." |
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tenderlovingwork.com, astonishing handmade gifts |
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:01 pm |
I think that what you did was really sweet.  She was probably just surprised at your offer, not weirded out. |
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:05 pm |
| Manslayerliz- That was so nice of you! I wouldn't second guess yourself. You obviously have a vey generous disposition! |
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40, fair skinned, dark hair, blue eyes |
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:20 pm |
Oh I thought what you did was delightfully unexpected and really sweet. I too have done things like that.
During the chaos of Xmas shopping I had a girl in a department store go out of her way to assist me even though there was a queue a mile long, she looked exhausted and her patience seemed challenged with a couple of rude customers who where ahead of me. And yet despite all this she could not have been more helpful. I thanked her and walked away thinking that poor girl is having a crap of a day and not looking like it was getting any better, so I went off and bought her a wee gift consisting of three gourmet chocolates. I went back, quickly juumped the queue and gave them to her. I said that is for ' above and beyond'. She was so grateful, her eyes watered up and she smiled and said thank you so much. And that was that. I felt great, she felt good and the world was at peace
Seriously though having worked in retail, I can tell you that customers like you Manslayerliz are appreciated big time. I have been lucky enough to be on the recieving end of kind acts by my clients over the years and it just makes me want to go the extra yard for them everytime. So power to you woman - you did a good thing and I am sure as everyone says, she was just a little taken a back by your thoughtfullness. |
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:23 pm |
| c4ward wrote: |
| Manslayerliz- That was so nice of you! I wouldn't second guess yourself. You obviously have a vey generous disposition! |
C, I can tell you from personal experience that she is a generous soul!
Liz, you have such a kind heart ... OF COURSE you wanted to do something to make her feel better, that's just who you are.
I agree with the other girls who say she was probably taken aback by your offer because it was unusual in that things like that rarely happen. People these days usually aren't that in tune to other's feelings and so many folks think only of themselves. It probably threw her a little bit, but not in a bad way. Plus, you girls are still young 'uns ... as you get more life experience, you'll become more comfortable with out of the ordinary things like that happening.
I'm sure she will remember your thoughtful gesture for a very long time, and it will probably help her remember to do something kind for someone else one day. |
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Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:45 pm |
I think that was really nice of you. And it's not like you were some complete stranger. If she knew you by name and you guys chatted every time you went in then I'm sure she didn't think you were a nutcase. LOL  |
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Global Butterfly & Certified Aromatherapist/Holisitc Therapist with a passion for travel and natural health. |
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Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:19 am |
| you are so nice |
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Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:41 pm |
| I think that more people should be as thoughtful..I live in a big city that can seem souless sometimes...people with focused faces and ipod nanos (including me!) in a world of their own. Today I was on a train to Birmingham and a gentleman sat next to me with a smile and said "good morning". I kind of jumped because I used to say good morning to people and they would never respond or look like i was a freak. So i stopped noticing that I did not say anything kind to strangers anymore. Last year I started getting a coffee if I was getting one myself and give it to this lady who was on the street near there. Ok, I would be scared to actually speak to much to her (horrid I know) but I think for every gesture that is kind, especially not to the people we already love is wonderful. More of people like Liz, the better we would all be. I think Oprah once took it to an overly cheesy level with "random acts of kindness" but the premise is a good one. |
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35, combo skin, can be acne prone; use Decleor, PSF 02, SKII products and anything that works including ancient voodoo hee hee. London based. |
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Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:44 pm |
Wow! Thank you all for your input, feedback, and kindness. I tend to do things on impulse, so it means a lot that you all think that my gesture was well-received.
Blacklace and vava_gurl, I was very moved by your stories of your kindness to strangers--- thanks for telling them! If anyone else has similar stories, I'd love to hear them.^-^ |
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27, sensitive/reactive/acne prone skin, dark brown hair, blue eyes, possibly the palest woman alive... |
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Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:28 pm |
| manslayerliz wrote: |
| If anyone else has similar stories, I'd love to hear them.^-^ |
OK, just for you  . One time I saw that the cashier in the convenience store had a bad cold. I asked if she couldn't go home, and she said she had to work and needed the money. She also said she couldn't afford any cold meds (I definitely believed her, knowing that her job could not possibly be paying her much), so I bought her some cold meds from her store. At least she knew I wasn't trying to poison her, since the cold tabs were sealed and from her store .
(I don't normally like to publicize any kind deed I do - my life is a textbook example of "No good deed goes unpunished." ) |
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Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:13 pm |
manslayerliz!
That was very sweet!
TI |
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Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:46 pm |
Working in retail you sound like a customer I would adore to have.
It is pretty much a bonus when a customer is actually nice and will chat with you, and when you offered her the coffee because she looked tired = most thoughtful thing to do.
 just keep on doing what you are doing manslayerliz. You are making the world a better place. |
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Mid-20s Asian female (since I am not mature enough to be called a woman ). Skin is combination with tendency to dryness around the cheeks and prone to blemishes. Naturally coarse black hair  . Lastly but most importantly, you need something purchased in Australia I will be happy to CP :. |
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Sat Jan 27, 2007 3:07 am |
| wow, you are so considerate! |
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Sat Jan 27, 2007 9:39 am |
I did something similar, though not for someone at work. It was freezing out one day and these medical students were collecting money for the Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor. They do this every year (it's a tag drive because they hand you a tag with the hospital's logo on it...I give money every year). Well, it was freezing rain and these two were outside Starbucks, so I went in and bought them both hot chocolate. They were surprised someone would do that, but I think they were appreciative because it was sooo miserable outside.
Acts of kindness are important...we need more of those in the world!
xoxo |
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32, Fair Skin, combo/break-out prone. Simple routine of REN No. 1 Purity Cleansing Balm and Argan oil as a moisturizer; Clarisonic when needed. That's it! |
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Sat Jan 27, 2007 2:41 pm |
| Paris Troika that was a wonderful thing to do and you are right...the world needs more random acts of kindness! |
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Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:41 pm |
Ahh lizzy your so sweet!
I don't think she thinks your a wierdo!
When I used to work in a dental office this little 6 year old boy who's teeth I always cleaned brought me the biggest heart shaped box of chocolates on Valentines day. It was the sweetest thing.
CG |
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Mon Jan 29, 2007 10:31 pm |
Ah... that's so sweet! You're an amazing person, Liz. Don't worry about if you did the right thing or not, b/c you did. I bet it was that she was worried about rules too. I also think that she was probably so taken aback by your kindness. I agree with Vonstella. The next time you see her I think you should just casually mention how you hope you didn't weird her out, that you just wanted to bring a little light into her week and wish her the best.
This world needs more people like you!  |
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early-mid 30s || oily-combination, sensitive & acne-prone skin || mild breakouts (Aczone helps a lot) || occasional eczema rashes || fine lines around eyes || very dark under eye cirlces- concealer a must || very fair neutral-warm complexion, blue eyes, blonde hair |
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Mon Jan 29, 2007 10:50 pm |
| Canadian Girl wrote: |
| ... When I used to work in a dental office this little 6 year old boy who's teeth I always cleaned brought me the biggest heart shaped box of chocolates on Valentines day. It was the sweetest thing. ... |
Wow, Canadian Girl! That's saying something for a child to bring a gift to his dentist's office! Usually they have to be drug in there kicking and screaming, so you must've done something to make a very nice impression on the little boy! |
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