I walked into the store because the boots in the window were super cute. And I needed new boots.
But nobody even acknowledged me. There was one other customer in the store, and there were 3 employees. I picked up the boots in the front of the store and looked for a price and there was none. 3 sales people saw me do it and no one offered to help.
I walked to the back of the store where the boots were displayed and I could see the prices. I picked up several pairs, even muttering to myself “these are cute. These would work.”
And still, nothing.
And suddenly I felt small. And insignificant. And unworthy.
Unworthy to buy boots.
Do you ever feel that way? It’s a lie, you know. Because I actually am worthy of buying those boots. But it sent me into a tailspin. Was I dressed shabbily? Is it my naturally curly hair that I refuse to straighten (because it takes forever and I have better things to do)? Was it my lack of that bag that every other woman in my town has but I can’t justify buying (because really, who NEEDS a $2200 handbag)?
I’m not sure why I was invisible in the expensive boot store, but I’m ashamed of myself for how much time I spent trying to figure it out.
I tell you about what happened to me today so that you know, and understand, deep in your heart, that we all have invisible not good enough days. But those days are liars.
They are big, fat, smelly stinky liars. And they are wearing bad shoes.
We, every one of us, has value and worth. I don’t care what kind of car you drive, where your hand bag is from, or where your child is going (or not going) to college. You have worth because of who you are and more importantly, you have worth because of WHOM YOU BELONG TO, a loving, gracious God who finds infinite value in all that you are.
And by the way, those boots weren’t so cute after all. Tomorrow I’ll go to DSW where they are always nice to me and never make me feel not good enough to buy their boots.
Carry on.
I’m sorry that happened to you. I know exactly how you feel. That happens to me every single time I go into the Talbots at Southlake Town Square. It makes me so mad. I keep saying one day I’m going to try on a bunch of clothes, act like I’m going to buy them, and then walk out with nothing. It reminds me of that scene in Pretty Woman.
Right? And it’s so bizarre . . you’re at Talbot not the Mercedes showroom, for Pete’s sake and even if you were, there’s just no excuse for it! Sorry that’s happened to you, too.
That’s funny you mention buying a car. Last month I did buy a new car. I spent WAY more than I ever would have spent at Talbots and they never made me feel unworthy.
I worked retail once upon a time, like so many have, during my college years. Anyone who felt they weren’t acknowledged went straight to the store manager and the manager pulled us aside for a lecture. Helped me understand the importance of addressing everyone regardless of lack of eye contact and guessing their intent to purchase. Today I have zero qualms addressing staff. Hi, would one of you three ladies be able to assist me? I may be interested in these high dollar boots. LOL. The ONLY reason they should be working the store is Not to judge the customer, but to hit their quota. Sounds like they fail at both the sales part of their job and the customer service.
Well, since I’m in retail currently, I totally agree with you! But the reality is why did I even care?? There’s a deeper theme there about why we allow people to make us feel a certain way. Or, at least, why I do.
Ugh. I’ve been there. And it makes no sense for them to snub us or for us to accept the snubbing! i hpoe you find great boots at DSW — I need some more boots myself.
I’m sure I will! Glad to know I’m not the only one, Coco!