Today the kids and I went to a place called Mr T's Patio Furniture. I wanted to price check some outdoor furniture for the back porch. We've never had any, and I didn't know what to budget. So, off we went!
Do I have "POOR" written across my forehead or what? First of all, I couldn't figure out where to park at Mr T's so I'm sure I looked like an idiot driving around and around in circles. When my car full of children and I finally unloaded from our filthy mini van, we had to walk across Africa to get to the front door. Did I mention the temperature had dropped about 30 degrees since we got in the car so all 4 kids were dressed inappropriately. Spencer was shivering like "Oliver Twist" and Sophia had just, not 10 minutes earlier, ripped the hat off her coat and had her shoes on backwards. Anyway, we finally made it into the store when a salesman asked, "Can I help you?" with a tone. You know the tone, "Can I help you... find your way back to the other side of the tracks?"
I explained my dilemma and he immediately pointed me toward the lesser expensive furniture. I wouldn't budge. I asked him what the difference was in the quality of these $4,500 aluminum sets and the $500 aluminum sets and he said with a smirk, "It's like the difference between a Cadillac and a Kia." So I said, "What do you mean, cars have different engines, fabric, bells and whistles that affect the price... don't you just sit on a patio set? I still don't understand the difference." He got a little uncomfortable and again mentioned the lesser expensive sets several more times. By now all my kids were whining about the cold and Spencer had even found his way back to the van. Oh how I wish I had "Pretty Womaned" this guy and shoved his commission right up his g'donk.
The funniest thing about it is we totally can't afford the $4,500 sets or even the "cheap" $1000 sets!!! He was right on the money, no pun intended. -But that's not the point! I just think everyone who walks into a store should be treated with kindness and respect regardless of the way they look! When I worked retail I was nice to everyone... except for the creepy guy who came in everyday asking me out in a fake coonskin cap. C'mon, that's just freaky!
5 comments:
I can so relate to this post...the filthy van, the inappriately dressed children (no one gets this unless they have 3 or more children), and even the rude salesman...I think that it doesn't so much seem that you are "poor" it's just that people don't like dealing with children at all now a days...next time, take your strapling husband...they will be a lot more nice!..then shove it in his face...oh, how my grandma would be disappointed in my attitude.
You know, I don't know what's more offensive. Kid haters or class haters... I WILL shove it in his face, Alice!
Your grandma would be disappointed in my attitude too.
I did a paper in college on an experiment similar to this.
My cousin and I went into the Express (clothing store in the mall) one day. She: tall, blonde, tight clothes. Me: shorter than her, brunette, loose fitting, plain white T and jeans.
The saleswoman waited on her hand and foot, even at the dressing room.
She completely ignored me and when I asked her a question, "do have this in a size smaller?" I got a short answer- yeah, over there... not even a smile.
Immediately after she answered my question. She went up to my cousins dressing room. "can I get you a different size?"
I got an "A" on that experiment and paper!
The only time I've EVER had any one following me around the store, all eyes on me, helping me left and right, was in Germany. And finally she just kicked me out. Figured I was a thieving American.
Post a Comment