Sippy Cup of Kindness

As you know, I do not like to go shopping. I guess I didn’t get that gene. There are times, unfortunately, that I must go to the store for needed items. On those occasions my mind has been trained by long ago past experience when I shopped often. I expect to enter a “clean” store with “polite” shoppers and “helpful” clerks. Isn’t that your expectation?

Undoubtedly, almost every shopping experience falls short of this target. Often the stores are in total disarray because the clerks don’t have pride in their job and let their duties fall to the wayside. Also, the shoppers do not have respect for the store so they unfold, scatter, and open items without putting them back the way they found them. The politeness and helpful factor is non-existent. Fellow shoppers shove and run into me without apologizing. Often they don’t even acknowledge my existence, thus nearly knocking me off my feet. A cheerful “May I help you?” never escapes the lips of the clerks. They are too busy talking on the cell phone or trying to look busy in another part of the store so that they do not have to help the customers.

I was shopping for supplies since I am making my families gifts. Not only do they enjoy the gift that has effort and thought, but it helps the budget since my husband is not working. Upon entering one store today, I had a lady run into me with her basket. She looked at me and raised her eyebrows.

That’s it!

Christmas spirit or not I said, “Excuse you.”

She laughed and went past me.

I continued my hunt for this one particular item. I’ll show you pictures of everything when Christmas is over. I finally gave up and sought the help of a store clerk.

Not only did she literally drag her steps as she went down the correct aisle, but she only pointed to the item that had been so elusive.

She didn’t smile.

She didn’t make eye contact.

She didn’t say a word.

I said, “Thank you! I’ve been looking high and low for this today.”

Nothing.

Not a word.

She acted all put out as she dragged her feet back to the front of the store acting like a spoiled baby.

As a matter of fact, everyone acted like a spoiled child.

I wish they would all just get a sippy cup of kindness and drink it for a few days.

Note: The sippy cup is a spill-proof drinking cup designed for toddlers.

Wherever there is a human being,
there is an opportunity
for a kindness.”~Seneca~Roman philosopher, mid-1st century AD