And so this is Christmas ? Hopefully...
Well, my friends, like many of you, it's been a busy time over the past week, but, at last, I have some time to sit down and write to you. It cannot have escaped your notice, Christmas is nearly here and I have to say, some attitudes I have encountered have left me speechless - which doesn't happen often ! I work for a company which largely seems to deal with people who have more money than sense for most of the time, and it's those customers who have genuinely shocked me. I am sure many of you who also work in the retail sector will be able to relate to what's been happening with me..
So my first example, a lady came in and almost immediately started ranting about how her whole Christmas was on the brink of ruin, owing to nothing more than the colour of her napkins did not quite match with the tablecloths she had ordered. It seems the difference between 'holly green' and 'festive green', which is barely discernible, would condemn her to being a social pariah after her guests realised just how awful her table arrangement would look. At first, I have to admit, I thought she was joking, but oh dear me no...so I searched high and low for the 'right' napkins, thankfully, there were some in stock and she literally sighed with relief and told me I had 'saved' Christmas. Now, far be it from me to belittle anyone who wants to make a day special, but her reaction did seem very extreme.
So the next person appeared, it seemed she was entertaining a large group of people and wanted a side of salmon to feed them all...now the salmon is a large fish, but it would have had to be the size of the average whale to be able to provide enough for her number of guests. I carefully explained this, suggesting she buy two or even three...she looked at me as if I had recommended killing a bus load of children ! Her rant quickly began, it seemed she only had one silver salmon serving plate, so she couldn't possibly have more than one fish ! Despite my near constant explanation, there was no salmon big enough..she demanded one ! Finally, after a fruitless conversation, I called the fish specialist and he tried to talk with her too...after almost an hour, she grudgingly accepted our words and decided to hire three matching salmon serving dishes !
There are many more examples which seem to be happening on an almost hourly basis, people who seem completely obsessed with plates, cutlery, wine glasses etc etc but don't seem to have any real understanding of what Christmas is supposed to be about at all. Now, as I have often said, I am not a religious person, but I do feel this time of year should be special for everyone - regardless of faith. It's a time where you can get together with family and friends, you can set aside worries for a few days and just enjoy the company of those closest to you. Many people choose to spend their festive period helping those less fortunate, which is a wonderful way of showing the Christmas spirit.
Speaking personally, for reasons too long to explain, I will not be able to share my festivities with many people I would hope to be with at this time...it may sound selfish, but it seems to me, that's a far better reason to find this time of year difficult, than whether or not, I have matching glasses ! Quite honestly, if I could have a room filled with everyone I need, I would be happy to pass the wine out in bottles with straws !
I know there are many quite 'cheesy' quotes about the spirit of Christmas and I don't want to join in with them, but I do feel, perhaps it wouldn't hurt for some to take a moment, and perhaps re-evaluate their priorities. I don't find it hard to moan and complain about the 'injustices' in my life, but I try never to forget how fortunate I am..my children are healthy, I know the true meaning of love and friendship and perhaps, more importantly, having experienced homelessness, I know the joy of simply having a front door key.
As I said at the beginning, many of the customers I encounter, know nothing about hardship at all...I can see that statement might sound judgemental, but when they are downright abusive about the size of a table candle or the diameter of a dinner plate..it does suggest people who don't have to experience genuine hardship. I have often been reminded of one of my late mother's sayings, that it doesn't how much money you have, you can't buy true class...because that's best proved in how you speak and act to everyone regardless of their supposed status or the size of their bank balance.
As it happens, I am writing this to you before another long and busy day...I have to say, without the good humour of my workmates, I would not want to go back into the trenches at all and face the spoken 'gunfire' of the raft of customers I will have to deal with for the next few hours. I hope some will show a glimmer of festive spirit and perhaps even go completely mad and be reasonable...but I won't hold my breath. Although to be fair, there have been some who have been delightful and so - as always - not all hope is lost !
I will be back before the day itself, but I hope you all manage to find some time, amidst the shopping and frantic preparations, to take a moment and think about many of the good things you have..I know I am going to try, so why not join me ?
Until the next time..as always..
Take care out there xx
So my first example, a lady came in and almost immediately started ranting about how her whole Christmas was on the brink of ruin, owing to nothing more than the colour of her napkins did not quite match with the tablecloths she had ordered. It seems the difference between 'holly green' and 'festive green', which is barely discernible, would condemn her to being a social pariah after her guests realised just how awful her table arrangement would look. At first, I have to admit, I thought she was joking, but oh dear me no...so I searched high and low for the 'right' napkins, thankfully, there were some in stock and she literally sighed with relief and told me I had 'saved' Christmas. Now, far be it from me to belittle anyone who wants to make a day special, but her reaction did seem very extreme.
There are many more examples which seem to be happening on an almost hourly basis, people who seem completely obsessed with plates, cutlery, wine glasses etc etc but don't seem to have any real understanding of what Christmas is supposed to be about at all. Now, as I have often said, I am not a religious person, but I do feel this time of year should be special for everyone - regardless of faith. It's a time where you can get together with family and friends, you can set aside worries for a few days and just enjoy the company of those closest to you. Many people choose to spend their festive period helping those less fortunate, which is a wonderful way of showing the Christmas spirit.
Speaking personally, for reasons too long to explain, I will not be able to share my festivities with many people I would hope to be with at this time...it may sound selfish, but it seems to me, that's a far better reason to find this time of year difficult, than whether or not, I have matching glasses ! Quite honestly, if I could have a room filled with everyone I need, I would be happy to pass the wine out in bottles with straws !
I know there are many quite 'cheesy' quotes about the spirit of Christmas and I don't want to join in with them, but I do feel, perhaps it wouldn't hurt for some to take a moment, and perhaps re-evaluate their priorities. I don't find it hard to moan and complain about the 'injustices' in my life, but I try never to forget how fortunate I am..my children are healthy, I know the true meaning of love and friendship and perhaps, more importantly, having experienced homelessness, I know the joy of simply having a front door key.
As I said at the beginning, many of the customers I encounter, know nothing about hardship at all...I can see that statement might sound judgemental, but when they are downright abusive about the size of a table candle or the diameter of a dinner plate..it does suggest people who don't have to experience genuine hardship. I have often been reminded of one of my late mother's sayings, that it doesn't how much money you have, you can't buy true class...because that's best proved in how you speak and act to everyone regardless of their supposed status or the size of their bank balance.
As it happens, I am writing this to you before another long and busy day...I have to say, without the good humour of my workmates, I would not want to go back into the trenches at all and face the spoken 'gunfire' of the raft of customers I will have to deal with for the next few hours. I hope some will show a glimmer of festive spirit and perhaps even go completely mad and be reasonable...but I won't hold my breath. Although to be fair, there have been some who have been delightful and so - as always - not all hope is lost !
I will be back before the day itself, but I hope you all manage to find some time, amidst the shopping and frantic preparations, to take a moment and think about many of the good things you have..I know I am going to try, so why not join me ?
Until the next time..as always..
Take care out there xx
