Old Lady: “I can’t find this scarf you sell! I saw it last week, and now it’s gone.”

She describes the item, and I recognize it as one we have sold out of in the store.

Me: “Yes, we did sell out of all of those. We do still have stock online, though.”

Old Lady: “On the line? What line?”

Me: “Haha, no, ma’am. As in on the Internet. We still have some in stock on [Store]’s website.”

Old Lady: “You guys have a website?”

Me: “Yes, ma’am.”

Old Lady: “They sell things on the Internet now?”

Me: “Yes! Almost every retailer has a website these days.”

Old Lady: “Since when?”

Me: “For a good long while now, I’d say.”

Old Lady: “Huh. I thought the Internet was all just naked people and Facebook.”

I helped her order the scarf using our in-store iPad. There were no naked people.

A few years ago, I went to a department store to pick up some outfits for a friend’s wedding. I say “outfits”, plural because, in my friend’s culture, weddings take place over several days, with many different events.

I was picking out at least three dresses, with matching jackets and shawl options, as I wasn’t sure what would look good whilst being considered appropriate and modest. I was too nervous to wear a sari; I’d never worn one before, and even though they are beautiful, I’d have no idea how to put it on and take it off. It wasn’t something I wanted to bother the bride or her family with during her wedding!

I must’ve been carrying nine or ten items around the store, with pretty much my entire body blocked by the huge pile of clothes I was going to try on.

I’d come straight from work, so I was wearing a white button-down shirt and plain black trousers, and with the giant pile of clothes, it wouldn’t be immediately apparent that I wasn’t wearing a lanyard and obviously didn’t work there. I was just buying a lot of items!

As I was heading toward the fitting rooms, a lady maybe in her seventies or eighties walked up and gestured to one of the jackets I was carrying.

Lady: “Where can I find these jackets?”

Me: “Oh, I’ve wandered through so many departments that I can’t remember where I picked it up! I’m sorry. I don’t actually work here; I’m choosing items for a friend’s wedding.”

The lady was so sweet when she realised I didn’t work there.

Lady: “Oh, I’m so sorry for bothering you!”

Me: “You’re not bothering me at all!”

Lady: *Getting a bit teary* “I love weddings! I’ll say a prayer for your friend and her future husband. I wish them a long and happy life together!”

She even told me which of the dresses I’d picked up she thought would look best on me. (It was a dress in a jewel tone that was a bit brighter than what I would usually wear, but when I did try it on, she was totally right; it looked lovely!)

Sometimes I think about that sweet lady and hope that she gets to attend many more weddings and joyous events in the future.

No shouting, no Entitled Jerks, no drama — just a lovely older lady and me carrying a comically large pile of clothes!

I work in and manage a music store where, within reason, we can play whatever we want over the speakers. I’m in a chill mood, so I’m playing some Hawaiian ukulele music that’s making me happy.

The music can sometimes gently make its way out into the street, and this is where I spot an older couple standing near the store. The woman is in a wheelchair but has her hands up and is smiling, swaying to the music. The man is just staring at her, also smiling, but has some tears running down his face.

Me: “Are you guys okay?”

Husband: “Oh, we’re fine. Sorry if we’re in the way.”

Me: “No, not at all. I just saw you, and I thought… well… Actually, I don’t know what I thought.”

Husband: “Oh, it’s just that my wife recognized the music. We’re both originally from Hawaii, but we’ve been here for a while now. My wife has dementia, so she’s not always present, but we were going past, and she just started… well… doing this.”

He gestures to her as she continues to sway and smile, her mind taking her somewhere happy.

Husband: “Could I get a copy of whatever it is you’re playing?”

Me: “You can have the album, on the house!”

I hand the CD over to him, and he spots the sticker on the cover saying it’s both a rare CD and vintage.

Husband: “Oh! Oh, no, I can pay.”

Me: “You go and you give your wife as many happy moments as you can. My store can take the hit.”

I held my hand up and sent him on his way. He became a new regular, sometimes with his wife and sometimes without, but every time he brought his wife, I would play the other copy of that CD we had in the store, and she would be transported back to a happy earlier memory. 

I know it wasn’t perfect, but I am glad I could provide her with little pockets of happiness through the music.

I was getting a slew of good customers after a few days of mean ones. One lady even tried to tip me even though I work at a fast food restaurant and we’re technically not allowed to accept tips. (I do anyway if the district manager isn’t here.)

Me: “People are being nice to me today!”

Manager: “That’s great! I hate it when people are mean to you.”

Little Old Lady: “Honey, are people being mean to you? Tell them to suck their own d**ks!”

My manager and I burst out laughing, and I gave her a ten percent discount, the highest discount we’re allowed to give customers who we haven’t screwed up for.

I’m going with my boyfriend of two years to visit his family in Texas.

Boyfriend: “Now, just so you know, if things get uncomfortable, it’s not your fault.”

Me: “What?”

Boyfriend: “My grandmother is a huge b**** and hates everyone and everything. But she is the matriarch, so no one challenges her. I’m so sorry, but if she starts harassing you, no one will be able to stick up for you.”

I am young and very invested in the relationship, so I don’t hold that against him.

We drive up to the grandma’s house and go inside, and I’m quiet as a mouse looking around and trying to not be noticed. I see there are pretty prisms and crystals everywhere — cheap ones, similar to one I have with me on a necklace. I love how they make rainbows.

I know what to do now, and I go find the matriarch.

Grandma: “Oh. You must be the new girl. You won’t last.”

Me: “I will continue to exist regardless of who I date. I will last. I will endure.”

Grandma: “I don’t care about any of that…”

But she is looking at me and facing me!

Me: “That was a bit silly, wasn’t it? My name is [my name], and I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. I have something for you!”

Grandma: “I don’t want—”

I take off my necklace, and she stops talking to watch it. I reach forward and clasp it onto her.

Me: “Thank you for letting me give that to you. It means a lot to me.”

I pat her shoulder and step back. She touches my shoulder briefly and has the tiniest smile. Then, she silently walks away.

My boyfriend approaches me a few minutes later.

Boyfriend: “What did you do? She hasn’t yelled at anyone yet, and she told [Aunt] that she met you, using your name.”

The next few days are uneventful; we aren’t staying with grandma. Then, we return for dinner. She is wearing the necklace. She even says hi.

We are sitting at the table, and Grandma starts laying into some family members about something. I get tired of it.

Me: “Why are you doing this? You love these people; I can tell. But you are being so mean!”

Grandma: *Laughs* “Oh, this one has some moxie! I forgot people could stand up to me. I like you, [My Name].”

I broke up with the guy in the airport on the way home because he was cheating on me and his family was dysfunctional, but I enjoyed winning over that woman. I never told him how I did it, and he wasn’t observant enough to notice the necklace. I did find out that the woman died recently, which surprisingly made me very sad.

Be nice to your elders, and take no s***.