Pointy-haired boss approved my vacation days, so sometime tomorrow I load up the kitties, a couple of bikes, and my birthday outfit stash and drive south.
Planning to arrive sometime on Sunday, and leave for the great white north next Saturday.
Dairy Ashford & Westheimer 'hood. Let's have a meet-up!
--Karen D.
Went shopping via bicycle yesterday (the perfect vacation!) and discovered some major customer service issues here.
Started at HEB, which is a super mega grocery store. In the floral department, an employee was frantically unpacking new shipments of cut flowers. Problem is, she didn't want anyone to browse them, let alone buy any. "If you want some of those we'll be happy to get them out for you. But they are fragile." She said this again and again. And I'm not referring to delicate arrangements, but hardy stalks in cello cones packed in tall boxes. Over the five minutes I was in her area, she became increasingly aggravated with several customers just for using their hands to look.
Progressed to Hancock. The open floor plan amplified every word that one clerk said to shoppers, either live or on the phone. One caller wanted directions, and this clerk testily recited landmarks, finally ringing off with a "tsk." I heard her "tsk" at several other callers, and make unfriendly comments at fabric purchasers while cutting. (I did not buy anything there.)
On to TSWLTH. One clerk was friendly and helpful, while the other had An Attitude. Customer wants help with vinyl table cover goods on a roll. Attitude made it really clear that she didn't know what she was talking about, proudly explaining, "I don't sew," said "I don't know" many times, actually suggested that the customer go buy a table cover at the Wally World across the street. Finally she said she'd get the other clerk, who did close the sale. The customer just wanted to know how much yardage to buy to cover a table, for which she had the dimensions!
Attitude also gave some back to the helpful one (who might be an assistant manager). She was asked to start putting bolts away, but argued. "They were here when I got here. I didn't put them on the cutting table." FWIW, this woman was Old Enough to Not be Whining Like a Brat; 40-something, I'm guessing.
While I was there I had the delightful experience of assisting a grandma and DGD who wanted to craft a poodle skirt. I demonstrated (using felt on the bolt) how to cut a circle, no you don't need a pattern. I threw in some feminist comments about Barbie big hair and the female electorate during the era.
Off to Garden Ridge Pottery to track down a cactus Christmas tree. Clerk in silk floral found a fake cactus ($60!!!) and said that they had formerly offered a wire-frame lit-up succulent decoration. She actually walks the half-mile (it's a huuuuge place) over to the seasonal stuff to see if she could find it. No linger available. But in the birthday party ailse my brother found one of those silly front yard inflatables, shaped like a cactus, really big, and on 50% clearance.
More retail visitations today! I need to find some cowboy boots to fit my big flat-heeled feet, some cowboy christmas music (I'm doing a gig called a Ho Ho Hoedown next week!), and I want to hit my favorite thrift.
Happy day-before-Thanksgiving!
--Karen D. wore shorts & sunscreen yesterday!
Now you know why I seldom ever go to Hancock's or TSWLTH here in Houston. There is one clerk at TSWLTH @ Hwy 529 & Hiway 6, that is friendly, helpful, very courteous and has a good knowledge of sewing. When I need thread, needles or something that's on sale, I call to see when she is working and go then, if at all possible. I like the Hobby Lobby in Cypress, near the house; the clerks, as in all their stores are helpful etc. If Hobby Lobby doesn't have what I need, I will go to Wal-Mart for needles, thread, etc, that is out in sight. I seldom see a clerk in the dept unless they are stocking, which means they do not want to be interrupted. Emily
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