Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Priorities?

When I open the mall Customer Service desk my shift starts at 9:30, but since I have to leave home at the tail end of rush hour I build a cushion into my commute time and usually get there about 15 minutes early. I fill up the extra time by using the wifi hotspot in the center of the mall to check my email, Facebook, and all things Internet.

Today at 9:15 I was logging in when two teenage girls (who looked like they might be 15 or 16) came up to me. The conversation went like this:
TEENAGE GIRLS: "What time do the mall stores open?" 
ME: "10:00, except for the Apple store, St. Louis Bread Company, and Starbucks."
At this they looked moderately annoyed.
ME: "What are you shopping for at the mall today?" 
TG: "Homecoming dresses." 
ME:  "Cool!  Where do you go to school?" 
They seemed not to want to give me an answer, and it occurred to me that today WAS a school day. I thought about it, realized there was an off-site store nearby that might have what they were looking for, and offered to look up that store’s hours. While I was searching on my phone, one of the girls spoke up…
TG: "We ARE planning on going to school today!" 
ME: "After you get a homecoming dress?"
TG: "Yes".  
Sadly, the off-site store also opened at 10:00. I remember from my high school days how long it took to find just the right dress; I wonder if those girls WILL make it to any of their classes today.

3 comments:

  1. Not that I had any transportation back in the day but I never would have cut school to go shopping. The sad thing is the parents probably knew that the girls we going shopping. SMH.

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  2. LOL that's funny the girls felt they owed you an explanation and made the comment they'd go to school. They were feeling guilty from the sounds of it. I hope they found "the" dress and can sleep tonight knowing they're ready.

    Have a wonderful week Kathy!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I'm thinking they had a guilty conscience :-)

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