Now, trust me I understand how stressful this time of year is, how you want everything to be perfect, how your MIL is never satisfied with what you carefully selected for her no matter how many hours you've spent. But taking your frustrations out on the clerk who's trying to help you won't solve your problem.
So I'm asking, Gentle Reader, to please keep the following in mind.
1) Retail clerks don't set the prices. Grumbling, bitching or screaming at them won't magically give them the authority to give you a lower price. If it truly troubles you, ask for the manager. If you're still not happy, ask for the name and number of the district manager or even the owner.
2) Retail clerks cannot magically pick out the perfect gift for your significant other. If you don't know their tastes, that should be a red light that something else is going on in your relationship.
3) Which brings me to--we're not being nosey when we ask you questions. We don't know your significant other, and we need more information in order to make appropriate suggestions.
4) If you don't like the selection of the store or there's a particular item you'd like to see stocked, please take the corporate number the clerk gives you and call. I work at a Hallmark franchise, and trust me, Hallmark Inc. WILL listen to the customers. Two years ago, corporate replaced the beloved musical snowman they put out every Christmas with Snoopy. Should have been a no-brainer substitution with the popularity of the Peanuts characters, right?
Oh, heck, no! Long time customers wanted their snowman, and this year, he's back!
5) When a clerk has been on her feet for six hours straight, a smile and a kind word from a customer will make her day. And those are the people who will get the extra effort. As my grandmother said, you can attract more flies with honey than with vinegar.
I hope everyone has a safe and pleasant holiday season!
