I left my therapy session and headed straight for Lowes where I can purchase a good size piece of Birchwood for dirt cheep to paint on until my heart is content. Instead of going to my regular spot I went to the Lowes across town. Inside there were only two employees in the lumber section. One helped count a huge number of items in a man’s cart and the other showed his annoyance for a gentleman who wanted to purchase cement. I knew I wasn’t going to get good customer service but I didn’t plan to walk around the store searching for this item till Kingdom come either so I bugged the irritable employee for help. He immediately shot me down. He told me I could buy the wood but he wasn’t going to cut it because I wanted it too small and he’d lose his job. I explained I have it cut like that all the time. He said, “I’m not going to lose my job over a piece of lumber.” My neck kinda went back a bit. I was somewhat irritated because I’ve purchased this same thing before with no difficulties and had it cut at a Lowes. But now this man has rested his entire financial future on one piece of wood cut for yours truly.
He then began walking me to the area where I could find this future ending purchase. As he did he started shaking his head. I said, “Man, you can stop shaking your head now. This is ridiculous.” He said, “I’m not going to lose my job over this.” I said, “I’m not sure what your damn problem is but I’m just here for lumber now show me where it is and shut up.” He kept shaking his head. I said, “If you shake your head one more damn time I swear to God!” He kept shaking his head. I felt my anger level rise but I had to take a deep breath.
Once over to the area where the Birchwood is I showed him what I wanted and how I wanted it cut. Come to find out he thought I wanted it cut in little tiny strips. He said to cut it that small would be dangerous because the strips would shoot out of the drill. I told him I wanted 8.5 x 11 but all he heard was that I wanted to paint on the wood so he assumed I wanted tiny strips to stir paint which I guess caused him to go off on me about his future.
When we got straight what I wanted he took the wood to the saw thingamabob and began cutting it. It splintered, badly. I told him to just forget it and that I’d go to the Lowes I usually go to where the employees don’t give me attitude. I said, “I came for wood, not attitude.” He said, “Wait a minute Ma’am, I’m sorry. I got some really bad news today and I just took it out on you.” He began to explain to me that he was diagnosed with something no one ever wants to be diagnosed with. He is in the early stages and needs the insurance that comes with his job. My attitude changed and so did his. He then went and got another piece of wood and cut it correctly for me. As he cut we chatted about my own physical health. I then said to him, “Funny isn’t it, you never really know what another person is going through. People usually walk around in their own little world not concerned about why a person behaves as they do.” I told him not to worry about the earlier bickering we did and that I understood his anger and anxiety. We finished my transaction and exchanged smiles.
His bad day did not become my bad day and my bad day did not become his because two people drew a truce, spoke to one another like human beings and came to understand even strangers will listen if given half a chance.
It is true, you never know what another person is going through. You start mouthing off because of your own issues forgetting that the human being on the other end may also be in the middle of a very bad day. The other person starts mouthing back not considering the recipient may be having an even worse day. That gentleman was worried about his life and I just stepped out of a therapy session concerning a life I narrowly survived. We crossed paths and clashed but eventually found reason and came to a truce. This is what community is, this is what it means to be a reasonable person and consider how your actions affect others. His anger and mine are both legitimate and they both could have easily continued to spill on innocent people. However, we chose to stop it before it got too far. That to me is very encouraging.
Austin’s August
Two Strangers With Something In Common -Wednesday, August 06, 2008-9:38PM EST
Yes, it is very encouraging. Coming together at the end of it all is what counts.
What an uplifting entry. That’s so cool the way everything worked out. We really don’t know what burdens others are carrying, and vice-versa.
Had you been more interested in venting your anger and claiming your customer rights than you were in trying to keep your cool, you never would have had that dialogue. There wouldn’t have been that opening up which changed two attitudes.
I always respect the way you handle yourself with difficult salespeople. It is wonderful the way the two of you turned this around and made a connection. I would have been too intimidated from the very beginning and left without what I came for and without the chance to make a connection with another person.
This really touched my heart. I’ve had experiences like that too, either I’ve apologized or the other person has. I really admire that you were able to bring that out in him by just being yourself and stating the truth of the situation as it was to you. It took both of you not only to be human, but to be mature and humble. Cheers to both of you.
sweet story…really sweet!