Sunday morning we made an early trip to Fred Meyer to get the needed fish for the cioppino. The day before the nicest lady behind the counter was oh so helpful, and naturally John and I expected the same service again. I proceeded to ask today's counter lady for each item as she was ready for the next. Alaska King Crab legs were on my list. I asked if she could possibly cut them into 2 inch chunks for me without removing or crushing the shell as I wanted to leave it on for interest and color. Without even having the chance to finish what I was saying, she quickly cut me off and said that she doesn't provide that service. I asked if she had any suggestions as to how I could do this. Again, before I even finished she said, "You are not listening! It is easy. Just cut them with scissors at the joints and then again up the openings to remove the meat." Instantly I felt like a naughty little child being reprimanded. I started to doubt myself and wonder if I had not been listening. Had I missed something? I realized that I had not missed anything but that she had obviously not listened to me. How could she have when she kept interrupting me, and now she was giving me directions for the exact opposite of what I wanted. Before realizing it, the following came out of my mouth: "No, you are not listening! I want to leave the shell ON not take it off!!!!" I'm sure she did not expect me to come back at her so swiftly using her own words because she turned beet red and immediately shut up while continuing to process the rest of my order. What happened to the teaching that the customer is ALWAYS right?
Now, I am proud of how quickly I was able to respond to her. I am not usually this quick of a thinker but at the same time I felt naughty again for being less than kind in return. I suddenly felt a need to make amends with her for my faulty response so, after receiving the last of my order, I decided to bring the subject of our "misunderstanding" up to her. I explained that her mannerism and harsh words made me feel like I was being scolded and that this was no way to treat a customer. She acknowledged the error and of course pointed out that I had done the same to her in return. Touche!
Hopefully she will think twice before treating valued customers like that again. And yes, I learned a lesson too. I would probably have made a greater impact on her had I not come back at her in the same tone as she had used on me.
Life is a learning school.
Now, I am proud of how quickly I was able to respond to her. I am not usually this quick of a thinker but at the same time I felt naughty again for being less than kind in return. I suddenly felt a need to make amends with her for my faulty response so, after receiving the last of my order, I decided to bring the subject of our "misunderstanding" up to her. I explained that her mannerism and harsh words made me feel like I was being scolded and that this was no way to treat a customer. She acknowledged the error and of course pointed out that I had done the same to her in return. Touche!
Hopefully she will think twice before treating valued customers like that again. And yes, I learned a lesson too. I would probably have made a greater impact on her had I not come back at her in the same tone as she had used on me.
Life is a learning school.
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