It’s been a while since I’ve posted, so I’ll sum up the latest happening.
Christmas with my family was wonderful. The best gift was Dan's present to Mom: Pac-Man. Yes, a two-player, sit-down machine from the 80's. Why? Well, when Dan and I were kids, we all (Mom, Dan and I) loved Pac-Man. We used to go out with a roll of quarters and play for hours. Mom didn't think Dad would approve, so we'd wait until he went to his weekly bowling league and then the three of us would sneak out to play. One evening, I got ready for bed, but left my jeans on under my long nightgown. I wanted to be ready to go as soon as the door closed behind Dad. As he gave me a goodnight hug before leaving for bowling, he noticed I was still in my jeans. "Mandy, why are you wearing pants under your nightgown?" I panicked, but quickly replied, "Um, because...I'm cold?" Anyway, it was a great gift that gave us hours of entertainment.
Let's see, what else? The Steelers’ season ended with an 8-8 record; no playoffs for them. Boo!
New Year’s Eve with Kirstin, Ann and Chris was pleasantly quiet and mellow. And 2007 has already been an eventful year. I
finally saw
The Light in the Piazza and loved it. It’s not big and showy, but that made it all the better. The music is complex and beautiful. The staging and sets are simple and natural. The story is uplifting. “Love if you can, and be loved.”
Friday, I had a harrowing evening of shopping. It’s a long story, but I still feel the need to vent about it a bit.
I went to The Bon-Ton store at Frederick Towne Mall to return a few things and take advantage of the post-holiday sales. After finding two sweaters on sale and a cute red corduroy purse, I approached a Service Center to check out. The sales associate at the register was in the midst of ringing up a ton of things for a little old Asian woman. I waited patiently while they argued about the total of the woman’s purchases. (At one point, the woman even asked for a calculator, so she could total the items herself.) Finally, the cashier suggested that I go to another Service Center to checkout, which I did.
As I approached the desk, I realized there were no sales associates in sight. I waited a few minutes, assuming that someone might return to the register, or at least see me waiting there and offer to help. Never happened. So, I walked to another department’s Service Center. Again, I found no one, so I waited. And waited. And walked around to find someone. Then waited some more. I was incredibly frustrated at that point, but I walked to the next department, assuming I would eventually find someone.
Finally, as I was waiting at the fourth Service Center, a man approached the desk and said, “I think someone’s working here, but she must be in the fitting room.” He walked to the fitting room, called for the associate, but with no luck. He returned to the desk and said he would ring up my purchases.
I asked if he was the manager; he was. As frustrated as I was, I made sure to keep a calm voice and try to explain the situation as objectively as possible. I said, “Well, I’ve had a very unpleasant experience here this evening. This is the fourth Service Center I’ve been to, trying to return these items and purchase others. The first register was busy with a problematic customer. I waited there for over 15 minutes before the associate suggested that I try another Service Center. So, I went to the Petites department, waited for several minutes, but no one was around. Next, I went to Intimates. Again, I waited, even walked around, looking for someone to help me. Finally, I came over here and, after waiting several minutes, you helped me. The service here this evening has been horrendous and I’m very disappointed.” What was the manager’s response? “Yeah, we’re spread pretty thin tonight, but I thought I at least had someone working in this department.”
What the…? I could hardly believe my ears. He wasn’t the least bit concerned that his store was functioning in such a manner. It didn’t faze him that it took almost half an hour for a customer to check out, not because the store was busy, but because she couldn’t find someone to help her. I was completely dumbfounded and absolutely disgusted. As he took the security tags off the sweaters, I agonized over the situation. I wanted those sweaters. That purse was so darn cute and a great deal. But damn it! I didn’t want to give my money to him! As he asked if I would be charging the items to a Bon-Ton credit card, I said, “You know what? Just forget the purchases. I’m only want to return these things.”
I finished the return and called Kirstin to vent. While talking to her, I crossed paths with the little old Asian woman, who stopped me and said, “Do you know where the shoe department is?” What the…? First of all, I was in the middle of a conversation. Secondly, did I look like I worked there?!
I headed down to Boscov’s, hoping they’d have the purse on sale. As I was browsing the purses, still relaying the details of my evening to Kirstin, I realized something was wrong with my shoe. Low and behold, somewhere along the way I stepped in gum.
2007, here I come!
Labels: fact, family
