Encounters of a Beauty Advisor

Before my journey to become a professional writer, I made money to support my family by working at Walgreens. It's not my favorite thing, being a Beauty Advisor. I don't have much respect for trendy insistence that beauty involves covering-up your natural look and so typically your natural essence. But it was a job, so I was blessed, and while it had some harrowing moments with unpleasant people, it also involved some precious gems. In order to focus on the positive, I would post stories about these inspiring Customers of the Day on my social profile, and my friends and family loved them!

So, with names changed (even mine) as well as a few telling details, I am posting them for readers to appreciate. I think these stories are an accurate example of what different types of people one may encounter in life.

On Gratitude, Great Moments In:

I was just putting on my badge, coming in on an 8am shift. As I rounded my “bullpen” to go behind my counter, I saw a young lady slowly walking out of aisle one, carrying a banana and an apple she had come in with, and a $1.29 travel-sized Sensodyne toothpaste she had just picked up. She was also holding her phone, poking at it as she slowly took each step toward the counter.

I said, “I don’t know how particular you are about your toothpaste, but I have a free sample of Crest 3D Whitening here. I would feel awful if that’s all you need and you’re paying for it when I could give it to you for free.” She looked at me with wide eyes like she couldn’t believe what just happened. I had to sort of coax her to take the toothpaste, and then I pointed-out the “not intended for sale” sticker over the bar code. “Thank you!” she finally gushed. “Honestly – I was just transferring funds to my account in order to be able to pay for this! Look!” she showed me that her phone screen was on her bank site. “Well, now you don’t have to worry about it,” I laughed. “I’ve been in the same spot, transferring money for the smallest, necessary thing. I totally get that.” “Thank you! - What’s your name?” She looked at my badge. “Amanda. Thank you so much, Amanda! Can I just – give you a hug?”

She leaned in and we hugged and I had a sense that this is exactly how a day should start for everyone – with thoughtfulness and gratitude. “Thank you,” she repeated. “You’re welcome,” I kept smiling. She was so grateful for this small thing. I took the Sensodyne from her. She kept thanking me. I think that on that morning she had more than toothpaste on her mind, and the strain of one stress following another was weighing on her. I believe she wasn’t so much grateful about toothpaste, as she was grateful for a break in the stress. An oasis of pleasant surprise. She left with a huge smile, and I felt that we both started our day off with a blessing, no matter what happens for the rest of the day. That small exchange made the day for both of us.

#gratitude #toothpaste #hug #customer