I lost it at The Christmas Tree Shop...(long)

[C.Ann]

I recently had an experience in our local supermarket. Two very elderly women were looking for something and it appeared that they could not find it. I asked them if I could be of some help and they showed me their list. I helped them find everything on it and loaded up their cart. After a pleasent thank you from them I went back to doing my own shopping. What a nice feeling I got, so please make time for the elderly.

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Isn't it great? A few years back I was standing behind a very elderly woman in the grocery store line and after the cashier rang up her order she realized that she didn't have enough money and started choosing items to put back.. She had nothing but the BARE basics and I just couldn't stand it.. I tapped her on the shoulder and offered her the additional money that she needed.. She said she couldn't possibly take money from me, but after some gentle persuasion she finally did - with tears in her eyes.. When she asked how she could ever repay me, I just told her to do something nice for someone else and that would be payment enough..

I have SUCH a soft spot when it comes to elderly people.. They're so vulnerable.. I wish I had a magic wand that I could wave over them so everything would be perfect for them for whatever time they have left on Earth..

 

[LoveWDW]

Thank you for posting and for your compassion. I work with older people and love them all. From time to time we have someone who has had a stroke or other problem in my dance or exercise classes and who doesn't quite move the way the others move. Invariably the others simply move out of her way, no frowns, no grousing. One time when one of the affected ladies was absent I complimented the class on being so considerate. They commented that it could be them too, but for the grace of God, and even could be them some day.

Your anecdote reminded me of a time I was in a grocery line and an older person was moving slowly with her groceries and had trouble getting the money out and then her change put in the right place. It didn't occur to me to frown or sigh. I smiled at the cashier when the lady had left to let her know that I hadn't minded the delay. She thanked me for being so patient.

 

[2BigKIdz]

Thanks a lot, now I'm sitting at work crying! Good thing I work alone or someone would think I'm a little He sounds like such a sweet little man! It's amazing how rude or just inconsiderate people can be. For the last year or so of my mom's life when we would go shopping I would push her in her wheelchair as she could not walk or stand for long periods. You wouldn't believe how rude, mean and impatient people can be to those in or pushing wheelchairs.

 

[dvcfamily41801]

That was such a sweet story.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I've never quite had something come over me like it did today. I went to The Christmas Tree Shop this morning, picked up a few things and got in line at the cash register. In front of me was an elderly couple. The woman was in a wheelchair and the basket built into the front of it was loaded with Christmas items. Her husband was in front of the wheelchair unloading the items onto the counter. They were both very old and neither one could move very quickly. The woman sat holding and petting some type of stuffed dog on her lap. The man was putting each item carefully onto the counter and every once in awhile he would say something jokingly to the clerk. The clerk never acknowledged anything he said.

When it came time to pay, the woman took out her checkbook but didn't have her license. She started to get upset, but her husband pattted her hand and told her not to worry. He said he would go out to the car and get it, so he proceeded to shuffle off in search of the license. The clerk crossed her arms and stood there looking grumpy.

By this time, people in line behind me started to sigh, shake their heads and show their impatience. I, on the other hand, was getting a lump in my throat and I knew I was about to cry. The elderly couple was just so sweet, but everyone around them was making me incredibly sad. The clerk was wrapping up the purchases when she picked up a ceramic Santa figurine and started to wrap it in tissue paper. I noticed that one the Santa's arms was broken off and missing. That's when I lost it and the tears came. As best I could, I told the clerk that the Santa was broken and that she should get a new one for the woman. I wanted to tell her to be a little nicer and more pleasant to the couple, but I couldn't get it out. I put my stuff down and headed out of the store. I cried most of the way home.

Normally this type of behavior and impatience in people would make me mad. I didn't feel angry,though, just unbelievably sad. Maybe it's because I lost my dad last year and maybe it's because I turned fifty this year. I don't know. I'm not even sure why I'm posting this.

Yes I do, I guess I'd like to remind all of us to be extra kind and tolerant of the elderly. We'll all be in their shoes some day.

Wow I would have lost it too but heads would have rolled. I would have had the cashier's name, called the manager and if I got no satisfaction, written a note to corporate. After all the name is CHRISTMAS TREE SHOP!! Then I would have gone to my car and cried. If possible, next time it happens call the manager and have him speak to the cashier. I worked in a retail store for years and there is NO WAY this behavior would have been tolerated AND I no longer tolerate it either.