Start Them Polite And Hope It Sticks

A mother and her son (about eight years old) came in, wanting to buy a stone statue. They asked if we could set it aside so they could get it on their way home. Noticing that the boy was very eager for this purchase, I turned to him.

Me: “Of course! I just need a name and phone number.”

Boy: “My name is [Boy].”

Mother: *Smiling and whispering* “Oh, and my phone number is [number].”

Me: “Great! Do you want me to wrap it up so it is protected while you are away?

Mother: “What do you say, [Boy]? Should she wrap it?”

Boy: “It is not a present; it is for me.”

Mother: “Yes, but this is just to protect it so it doesn’t break.”

Boy: “Oh.” *Turns to me and answers firmly* “Yes!”

I did so and put the note with the name and number on it. Later that day, the boy came back.

Boy: “I have a package set aside. My name is [Boy].”

I gave it to him and told him the total, and he paid with what I assumed was his mother’s card. We exchanged all the normal platitudes, and as he walked away, I noticed his mother waiting by the door, smiling proudly.

It is always nice to see kids so happy that they can do things themselves.