Hot, Buttered Blessings...

I have experienced two very similar events in the last week that have got me thinking very profoundly on the condition of human nature. The more I think about it, the more my brain hurts, but I feel the need to share it... as it seems worth mentioning.

A week ago or so, I purchased a Christmas item for my wife online at target.com. Upon receiving it, I realized it was the wrong item. I then read the instructions on the packing slip, which clearly states that "this is NOT a receipt." If I wish to return the item, I may do so at any Target store... just visit target.com, where I bought the item, and follow the clearly stated URL to a form where I submit to them that I am returning this item. I then got a page, with my return receipt, for me to print out and bring with the item to the store for my refund. No problem... and it took me all of three minutes. I went to the local Target, item and receipt in tow, and went to the service counter to process my return.

Needless to say, the clerk I got was flabbergasted. Why you ask?

Well, as she said: "Bless your heart. You are the FIRST PERSON I have EVER had return an item from an online sale who brought a receipt."

I wasn't performing a miracle... and while I am not a religious person (I'm fairly certain she was not affiliated with the clergy either), I accepted her blessing. Although I was taken aback... it wasn't that big of a deal in my eyes. I followed the directions, and did what I was clearly directed to do to process my return. From her reaction, and curteousy as a result, you'd have thought I cured her from a life-threatening illness and offered to bake her cookies.

As a consumer, I am used to having to go through a ton of hassle in order to return an item (although that's another topic altogether), so I merely went through the motions to ease MY end of the transaction as much as possible. The clerk, err... associate, was very helpful, processed the return, and as a token of appreciation for my bringing the receipt, gave me a coupon for a free small popcorn at the Target eatery thingy and another thank you. Not a major award or anything, but still unwarranted on my behalf nonetheless.

Now today, I went to Sears to purchase (on behalf of Santa) an air hockey table for my stepson. I was delighted to find that it was an additional twenty dollars off the already discounted price that the sign on the display boasted. Big bonus for the evening.

I get my claim ticket to take to the customer service area for pick-up (this thing is pretty big). I walked to my car, arranged the items within as needed, folded down my back seats, and got everything ready to load and go. Again, I did this for MY benefit, to make it as easy as possible for ME. Load and go home... just the way I like my Christmas shopping to transpire.

I pulled into the loading area, went in and scanned my receipt, and two minutes later a guy came out with the box on a dolly. I escorted him to my car, popped the trunk, and helped him put it in.

His words to me: "Wow, man... props to you for having your car ready to go. Thank you so much." I said it wasn't a big deal. He said, "No, seriously... you are the first person I have helped load an item that had everything ready to go like this."

Holy shit!

I started thinking on my drive home minutes later how bad it must suck to have to wait on customers all day, and how stupid, ignorant and rude some people must truly be for the simplest of things to bring such light to a retail worker's shift.

Again, I'll admit the things I did were purely for my own gratification, to make MY experience easier... but I also did these things because to me, it seems like that is what I am SUPPOSED to do. Yeah, it's curteousy, but for crying out loud... it wasn't that hard. It took very little effort on my part both times.

I am amazed more people don't think to do the simplest things that can make another person's day. It really worries me about the human race sometimes. I wonder how easier a lot of things could be if people just take a moment to think. Not just for selfish reasons, but to help out someone else as well.

I feel for retailers. Well, not the money-grubbing son-of-a-bitches who actually own the chains, and rake in the dough at the expense of small business owners and consumers alike, but the folks who work at them. Well, most of them (I'd like to exclude most of the employees of WalMart, Home Depot and Menards, along with a few others... whose employees are quite often stupider than most of the idiots who shop in the stores.)

I guess what I'm trying to say is this (and I could just be filled with a bunch of holiday spirit when I say it): Be curteous when you can. Especially if the person hasn't done anything to you to make you act otherwise, and is just doing their job. After all, you're just doing your job - buying. You don't have to be a prick as well.

Who knows... you may even get free popcorn!