Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Gray Hair Representative

Corporations do not really have room for comfort. So my comfort days are over, at least for this year.
Instead of sneakers and khakis I have to wear black pumps that kill my feet and polyester/silk blends that don't allow my skin to breathe. Instead of getting my daily walk, I am standing behind a counter helping people with spending their money like they grow it in their backyard. Instead of being behind the scenes I am working up front.

One good thing came out of this change in my job. I am learning how much people still have to learn.

A father of three kids wanted me to help him decide whether he should get a five hundred dollar winter jacket or a diamond teddy bear pendant for his daughter who is in Junior High School. I showed him different options within his budget of five hundred dollars for each of his kids and two thousand dollar budget for his wife. I thought that it was very generous of him. After he spent close to three thousand dollars and got free gift boxes he was really happy. He also got a free wreath as he had spent so much money.

My next customer started whispering things that I really did not want to hear. I did understand her point though. So I just said, "When it comes to parenting, we are all work in progress."

13 comments:

Chatty Crone said...

People are amazing and I think you can see that in this job! You will always be surprised. Great tact!

sandie

LynNerdKelley said...

Wow, that's a lot of money to spend for Christmas gifts. Some people go all out! We're broke and won't be doing gift exchanges this year, and it doesn't bother me at all. We'll buy something for the grandkids. That's it. It will be a great Christmas anyway. I hope your pumps get broken in and are more comfortable, especially if you're on your feet a lot.

I loved your comment on my blog, Munir. You are young at heart. I never would have guessed that you're a little bit older than me!

Shelly said...

You probably see all kinds of people coming through in your line of work. I hope that man's children appreciate what he gives them and are not spoiled by it~

Belle said...

I'll bet you are a great help to people, Munir.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Munir .. I hope your feet and legs hold out ... and people! Good luck and enjoy the experience and positives you can get out of it .. interesting to watch though .. cheers Hilary

Lisa said...

I love your sensitive and wise observations. And I appreciate every visit to your post.

Granny Annie said...

I absolutely cannot spend a dime on something "I think" a person might want or on something "I think" they should have. If they have not told me a specific thing they want that is within my price range, then they get cash.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Wow...what a budget some people have. I think kids that get that kind of present are spoiled.

Anonymous said...

I don't even know what to say about someone having that much money to spend. Not my business though. If he has it he can spend it any way he wants. As for your new job... I feel for you. Hope those shoes don't kill your feet. I hate polyester! Thanks for coming to visit. I don't know why but half the time it leaves me a link and most times it does not. So if I don't come right back over it's because I'm searching for your link again. Sigh.

Step-parent's Cove said...

That is so true! Really. What a great post. Thought provoking!

Monalisa said...

Oh Congratulations on your new job Munir. Surely you'll be dealing with a lot of people and should be having mounts of experiences now. Do share them on your blog. I'll enjoy reading them.

And yes, thats interesting , and so true as of my very humble experiences, that when it gets to parenting, we are all work in progress. I remember this is not the first time you're saying it, but I do like it being reminded of. Nice time in the corporate world Munir. God bless.

Unknown said...

Wow. That's interesting. Though i feel that one doesn't need to spend three thousand dollars to show love. Sometimes, the cheapest things are the most valuable.

Ygraine said...

Wish I had someone like you at the desk when I go shopping. Everyone seems so bad-tempered around here!

How I crave a friendly face :)