Chester Draw

My mom called yesterday.  We talk almost daily.  Sometimes about specific things, sometimes about nothing.  I like the rhythm of those calls.  I could tell by her voice this was a 'something' call.

"I'm looking on the website at stuff for sale!" oh no......this always means she has found something for ME.  She is over with her shopping.  My parents have declared they don't need anything else.  But Mom is always shopping for us. Her kids and grand kids.   I waited.  With baited breath.  "What did you find?"

"Just see if you can figure out what this is!" she exclaimed.  And she began to spell something.  It was so foreign I couldn't even picture it in my mind.  "Spell it again," I said.  So she did.  More slowly.   "C-H-E-S-T-E-R-D-R-A-W".  

By then she was laughing.  I was completely bewildered, and honestly a little hostile.  (We are highly competitive Scrabble players).  So I said, just a little huffy, "I don't know what that is."

"Someone is trying to sell a CHEST OF DRAWERS and they don't have a clue how to spell it!" Mom blurted out through her laughter.  We laughed and verbally skewered the poor soul who was so ignorant.  

Growing up, we always had a chest of drawers. I suppose, depending on where you live, it could also be called a dresser or bureau.  I can remember, as a young girl, thinking it was a "Chester drawers", not quite understanding who Chester was.  The first time I ever said that out loud I was promptly corrected, along with an explanation that the piece of furniture was a chest that held drawers for my clothing.  I never made that mistake again!

So, to all the Chesters out there:  sorry, but no.  You don't have any furniture as a namesake.  To the rest of you, go in there and take a look.  It's a chest of drawers.

Serving Silly Customers

I was waiting patiently in a really long line waiting to pay for my things.  My thoughts were pleasant and I was in no hurry.   Looking at the CD display at the cash stand I wondered why that pleasant Christian music that always plays in the background was silent. I was missing that music, actually......

At that moment, I watched a manager announce for someone to help at the front.  As her eyes scanned the ever-growing lines, they rested on me.  I began to feel as if I were about to win a prize when she came to ME, and took MY basket to an open register.  I felt silly and giddy at the same time, with what I am sure was a goofy smile on my face.

The cashier, on the other hand, had no smile.  In fact, she was quite unhappy she was there at all.  And she made sure her manager and I both knew.  That attitude continued as she checked me out.  I was shocked.  Why?  Because without me, THE CUSTOMER, she would not have her job.

As a customer, client, or patient, it is my responsibility to be civil.  As the person paid to provide customer service, he or she is responsible to do so.  I have the freedom to choose where to purchase and receive my goods and services.  Those in the industry need to rise to the occasion and acknowledge the two go hand-in-hand.

I wonder what would happen if, for one day, we made a concerted effort to only do business with merchants where customer service was top-notch?  Where cashiers smiled and acted happy to be there?  Where sales associates actually helped you instead of talked to one another about their after-hours plans?  What would happen if, FOR ONE DAY, we chose to be clients or patients where we were treated with dignity and respect?

I plan to do that.  Every day.  And I promise I will be smiling.