I’m working at a women’s clothing store. We have a male cross-dresser who comes in once in a while. Some of my coworkers find it weird, but he’s always polite and sweet to us, so I will volunteer to help him, as our store’s goal is to make everyone look and feel beautiful.

One day he comes in looking for a new dress, as we’re having a big sale. I bring him some and offer my candid opinion on each of them, telling him what looks good or bad on his figure, which he seems extremely grateful for. The whole time he’s just so nice that I can’t help but smile.

Eventually I find him a discounted designer dress that fits perfectly and looks amazing. He buys it, gushing about how happy he is with my pick.

A month later he comes back to the store and specifically asks for me. He tells me how he wore it while in NYC and got so many compliments and how he thought of me the whole time. He asks if there’s a number he can call to give me a review. I direct him to the online survey, and he gives me a great big hug, thanking me again.

A few days later my boss shows me the great review he’d sent corporate, which went towards getting me a raise. It may not have been much, and I’ve moved on to a new job since, but I still think fondly of that customer and how much it must have meant to him to have someone willing to help him without being patronizing or rude.

It just shows that no matter a person’s gender, style, or body type, you should always do your best to help a person look and feel beautiful.

(I have put in my two weeks’ notice, as I am transferring colleges. My coworkers aren’t exactly supportive of this decision, as they think “no one needs a degree.” I am working a register when another coworker runs up to me…)

Coworker: “YOU RESIGNED?!”

Me: “Yup.

Coworker: “WHY?!”

Me: “Well, I’m transferring to [College], as they have a better program for the degree I want to get—”

Coworker: “You don’t need a degree! [Grocery Store] is a great company to work for, and they don’t require a degree!”

Me: “See, that’s the thing. I don’t want to work here forever.”

Coworker: “It’s a steady job! You’re not even guaranteed to find a job after you graduate! You’re crazy to throw this away.” *walks away*

(I roll my eyes and sigh, as I’ve had similar conversations with multiple coworkers in the last week. An older gentleman walks up to my register.)

Customer: “I couldn’t help overhearing. You are transferring to [College]?”

Me: “Yes, I am!”

Customer: “I graduated from there. So did my kids. You’ve made a good choice. You won’t have any problems finding a job after graduation.”

Me: “Thank you, sir!”

Customer: *leans in and whispers* “Don’t worry about what other people think. At the end of the day, you get to leave.” *shakes my hand* “Good luck, young lady.” *walks out*

(Two years later, I graduated with honors. I found employment in my degree field just a couple months after graduating. Thank you, nameless customer, for taking time out of your day to give me some encouragement.)

Me: *on the phone* “My doctor said she sent a prescription in, and that I should call to see when I can pick it up.”

Pharmacist Tech: “Let me check… Will Wednesday afternoon work for you?”

Me: “Well, that’s two days away, and I’m in a lot of pain. But— if that’s what you can do, it’s what you can do. I don’t suppose yelling or whining will help, right?”

Pharmacist Tech: “We’ll send a text when it’s ready.”

Me: “Thanks!”

(45 minutes later, I get the text! She expedited it for me! And because of that, I was able to sleep that night without much pain! Thanks so much, lady!)

(The late shift at our call center ends at 10 pm, but it’s policy that you have to stay on the line till exactly 10. If a customer calls at 9:59 and the call takes half an hour… your bad luck. That’s just what happens to me, and the issue with the customer’s Internet IS complicated. We talk for about forty minutes, until:)

Me: “See, finally! I’m glad we could solve this and— ah, s***.”

Customer: “What’s wrong?”

Me: *realising I just swore at a customer, totally embarrassed* “Oh, dear, ma’am, I’m so sorry. That was not aimed at you; you’ve been really polite. I just realised I missed the last train, is all. It’ll be fine.”

Customer: “Oh, let me guess. I made you stay longer, didn’t I.”

Me: “Ma’am, seriously, it’s fine. That’s my job. I’ll live.”

Customer: “Absolutely not! What city are you in?”

(This ISP’s tech support that call centers in various places.)

Me: “Uh, I’m in [City], but why…?”

Customer: “I knew it. It’s the accent. Well, that’s my city and if you give me the name of your train station, I’ll come and pick you up. This is all my fault.”

Me: *by now convinced she’s joking* “Hah, it’s [Station] and I’m the guy with the green mohawk. Seriously, ma’am, don’t bother.”

(She promised to be there in ten minutes. She ended the call, I left for the long trek home, and for a laugh decided to check out the train station, since it was on the way. Sure enough — she was waiting for me and drove me across the city to where I lived! I’m not sure if this lady realised that I left a note in her file so whenever she called, everyone would be bending over backwards trying to grant her every wish. Kindness goes a long way with call center agents!)

(A customer walks in.)

Me: “Hi!”

Customer: *smiles and waves, wanders about for a bit before finding what he wants, makes eye contact with me and points at counter questioningly*

Me: *nods and indicates register* “Yes! I can take you right here are you ready? Would you like a bag?”

Customer: *indicates ear* “Deaf!”

Me: *now signing* “ASL?”

(I don’t think I will ever forget the look on his face. I have been taking ASL for over a year and a half, not for my job but for school and because I like it. He was stunned. I didn’t even think twice.)

Customer: *now also signing* “Yeah.”

(I did the rest of the transaction in ASL and he even taught me a new sign!)