Cincigal Grocery Store Clerk - CALL ME FRIEND

More often, than not, you end up getting a little satisfaction in this business.  And, believe it or not, it has nothing to do with telling a customer off - really.  However, it does have to do with the customers.  For every customer that can beat you over the head, there will be ten others that will come along to lift you; at least that has been my experience.

Today was an easy going day.  I cleaned up and did all of the necessities in my department and then ended the shift by stocking and cleaning up in Produce.  Everyone that passed through was pleasant and quick to thank you for any assistance you provided.  There were some that would converse while there were others that greeted.  All in all, a pleasant day.

After I clocked out, I made my way downstairs to pick up a few things and, of course, I had to chat with some of the employees on Frontlines as I checked out.  There were a few customers checking out and we all just kind of chit chatted about things, as we normally do.   These conversations that take place are always filled with laughter and everyone kind of adds a few words on whatever the subject might be.

Tonight, our conversation pertained to the store; or  more precisely put, the company.  While unloading, a rather large order, a customer started discussing the store and the people that work it.  She remembered, how two years ago she was afraid that she was going to lose this store.  You see, the store which I work at was taken over by another company a little over two years ago.  And, in some respect, it sent shock waves through the community and to the loyal customers; not to mention the employees.  Through that period we lost some customers, kept some customers and well, some lost customers have been returning. 

But the one thing that this customer remembers, is coming into the store shortly after the news of the store had been announced.  She said, that when she walked in the door she saw a man with a suit jacket on, wearing a name badge with the new company's name on it.  As she passed him she said, "Don't get rid of my friends."  Why?  As she went on to say, she thinks of these employees as being friends.  It is what she likes about shopping here.  This sentiment seems to be shared by many customers, and often I have heard the employees referred to as 'friends'. 

Some may call this Customer Service, but it's not.  It's the sincerity of the employees that builds this bond with customers.  It has nothing to do with service, only personality.  And as for all of the Mystery Shopper and Consumer Reports, that continue to circulate, they seem to leave out the most important ingredient - the people. 

Perhaps there are not many grocery stores out there that can boast that they have employees like ours.  After all, who would care; all of the customers that call us, 'friend'.

Talk at ya later!

Grocery Store Clerk - A REFLECTION OF SOMEONE'S LOVE

Take a break - sit back, put your feet up and open a good book.  Or, my favorite, munch on a sweet treat, sit with a co-worker and catch up on what's going on and have a laugh or two.  Either way you go, it's a moment that you dedicate to yourself.  There are no pages calling you to one place or another, well, there might be but you ignore them, no one is asking for this or that and there is no running to play catch-up - it is a moment just for you.  But the moment can be easily interrupted, so one has to be sneaky and hide from the crowd.  Once this has been accomplished, you just sit back and relax. 

But, as usual, time fleets by and before you know it you are up and running again.  All too quickly you start checking your mental list of things that need to be accomplished, once you are back on the clock, and prepare yourself for the unexpected to pop up.  So, as you make your way back into the building and with each step you take, you are slowly restructuring yourself and getting back into the work mode.

On this particular day, I found myself picking up trash as I made my way back into the store.  A couple of weeks ago, a strong storm had hit the area and the high winds had distributed trash everywhere; even two weeks later it still can be found here and there.  So, in my path is a rather large piece of  paper, a local restaurant's place mat, which I bend down to pick up and walk over to the trash can to dispose of  it.  As I go to throw the piece of paper away, I notice something colorful on the back of it.  Turning it over I find a design of hearts.  All across the page are rows of purple and pink hearts drawn in crayon.  How cute; some child had created a masterpiece. 

I remember doing the same thing.  Going out to eat with the family and while waiting for the meal to arrive, the waitress would give me a crayon, or two, and I would create a masterpiece on the back of the place mat.  Often I have thought, that that was the beginning of my interest in art; that is how I became an artist.  In fact, I remember my mom framing a couple of them and hanging them in the hallway at home.  Thus, my first exhibit.

Now, here I hold another future artist's work.  But this drawing grabs my attention as I notice that something has been written inside four of the hearts; 'I Love Mommy So Much'.

Well, I back away from the trash can and begin to examine the piece of art.  There is no dirt, water stains or smudges, no tears or crinkles just a perfect piece of paper with pink and purple hearts.  I walk back into the store carrying someones treasure that seems to have just fallen from the sky.  After clocking back in, I retreat to my work area and grabbing a tack I proceed to hang the piece of art on the wall above my work table.

Somewhere there is a child that expressed their feelings through art and here, in the back room of the store, is their first exhibit; it's a reflection of someones love.

Talk at ya later!