Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Picking up the pieces of the dead sea salt man.

Yesterday, mom and I were walking in the mall with the girls and we passed one of those Dead sea
salt scrub places. The man that worked it started trying to get us to come over to try it and we politely refused, so he said to mom, "can I just ask you one question? Do you take care of your hands?" Mom told him that she really didn't and he replied, "I can tell!"
We started to walk away and I shot back over my shoulder, "That wasn't very nice!" About twenty steps later, I realized that my interlude with the sea salt man wasn't over for me. Mom, could you take the children to the car please?
Mom nicely asked me to drop it and I nicely asked her again to take the children to the car.
As she continued onward, I turned around and walked up to the offending person.
"Who is your manager?" I inquired, and after he told me it was him, it was time for the guy to face the music.
I started without mincing words. "That was really rude." "What was?" "What you said to my mom about her not taking care of her hands was really rude and unkind, and I don't think that it is a very good way to do business." "She was really polite to you, we were in a hurry and you were really rude." "But, I looked at her knuckles and I could tell she didn't take care of her hands!"-him
Me- My mom is dealing with Lyme's disease right now.
Him(horrified expression coming over his face) I am so sorry, I didn't know
Me- I know that, but you need to be careful of what you say, because you never know what people are going through.
Him-I feel so bad right now, look at this! (He holds up his arm and has chill bumps all over his body) Please tell her to come back and I will do this for free!
Me- No, we really don't have time, she was telling you the truth, we are really in a rush today. Him-let me give you something!
Me- What? No! I did not come back to talk with you to get free product, I came to tell you to be careful with your words.
Him-(eyes filling with tears and I am thinking, this is not the way I pictured this coming down) Please take this! (he holds up a bottle) If you don't I will fell terrible all day, please take it, it will help me feel better, please, please (more tears coming)
Me-I really don't want your stuff!
Him-Please I beg you take it!
Me-Okay, I will for you, but it was not my intention to get free stuff.
Him-I know it's not medicine, but I think it will help her, I feel so bad right now.
Me-It really is okay, she wasn't mad, just a little hurt.
Him-(coming towards me with arms outstretched) I really need a hug!
So this is how I found myself turn from an angry, protective irate Noellie, into a hugging, patting and consoling a crying, chill bumping, dead sea salt scrub man at the mall yesterday. Very strange. But y'know, I think I would go back to him just because you never ever find humble people anymore.

1 comment:

  1. Noelle,

    I think it's pretty odd.....you went back to tell him to be careful about his words in defense of Debbie, which was good, I understand, I agree, but what did your words do to him. Sounds like you touched his heart, even in anger.

    ann

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