R-e-s-p-e-c-t NOT Aretha!

Whatever happened to "respect?"

So often, it's necessary to deal with disrespectful clientele when working in a retail establishment. It's usually taken in stride--after all the, "customer is ALWAYS correct!"

This "customer is ALWAYS correct" attitude (often blatantly utilized by some customers), has often lead to some VERY disrespectful behavior on behalf of the customer!

It's one thing, when you're trying not to react to a customer (a "senior" customer) who is yelling across the check-out counter, that we are "trying to kill them, with the awful taste of Stevia!" and is threatening to call the police! (Really!) You bite your tongue and try not to laugh!

But, when you're in the process of fielding a phone call from someone who has just been diagnosed with breast-cancer, and they're seeking some guidance--and in walks another customer yelling "GET OFF THE F***ING PHONE!" (What's up with that?)

We've had customers root through pretty much everything in the store (as if it's THEIR house!). Nosy customers have purposely walked into the back-dock area to see what's beyond the closed doors (even though it's CLEARLY posted "personnel only!")

We've offer hot tea and cookies during the colder months, only to have several customers pocket ALL of the cookies--or worse, take a bite of one and throw it back in the pile (or spit it back--as one of our youngest customers did!), once it's been decided they don't care for their selection!!! (We won't mention names in order to protect the guilty here!)

We've had UNSUPERVISED children involved in "flour fights" with the flour out of the bulk-bin unit (parents often get upset if you remark about unsupervised children's bad behavior!).

We've had adults eat merchandise, throwing the wrapper on the shelf, not paying for the item.

We've experienced some VERY disrespectful behavior from customers, when a store item has become broken or damaged! ESPECIALLY if a child has done the damage--dealing with the attitude of the parent, is often less than pleasant! (We have often been cited as being, "at fault" by parents, for having "breakable items" in-store in the first place!) (Huh???)

The sad part is...this kind of behavior (and sometimes worse!), only seems to be escalating!!! Whatever happened to our manners? To being respectful?

The "customer is NOT always right" when this kind of attitude leads to disrespectful and belligerent behavior on the customer's part!

Unusual customer questions!

Customer conversations:

"Do you have any 'cam-mow-millie'?"
(Chamomile sounds like: "cam-ma-mill" I can't tell you how long I looked for this item, because the customer swore they bought it from us before!)

"I am looking for 'in-chin-a-sea-yah'
(Also heard as 'in-china-see-ya'). Echinacea Sounds like: "ek-kin-nay-shaw")

"My Dr. wants me to take 'she-laid' ('shell-laid' too!) Magnesium"
(The word is:"Chelated" sounds like "key-late-ed")

"I am looking for 'glue-gross-a-mine', my friend is recommending it for my knee!"
(Glucosamine Sulfate-I guess 'glue' might work..."glue-kos-a-mean")

"I don't remember for sure what the name is, but I think it's 'jin-co bill-boa' do you carry this?"
(No, but we do carry Ginkgo Biloba to help with memory!)

"My friend told me you carry 'glue-gull' for cholesterol."
(The word should sound more like: 'Goo-gull'; the correct spelling being 'Guggul')

"I am looking for 'letch-a-thin' granules (sometimes also pronounced as 'leech-a-thin', or 'leak-a-thin') to put into my smoothies"
(I laugh at this one; Lecithin-the pronunciation sounds like: 'less-a-thin')

"I am looking for 'collar-hah' (also heard as 'cholera'--a disease you wouldn't want!), my Dr. says I should have this everyday!"
(It's difficult to keep a straight face with this one; the word is Chlorella; 'klor-elle-ah')

"I just came from the eye Dr. and he suggested I take 'glutton' (sometimes also pronounced as 'gluten' and 'glue-teen') for my eyes!"
('Lutein'-sounds like: 'lou-teen.' I really should write a book!)

"Dr. Oz was just on today talking about 'ucky' (also heard pronounced 'aw-key'& 'ace-y') for weight-loss, do you have it?"
(Acai: sounds like 'ah-sigh-e')

"Dr. Oz was on today talking about 'kin-d-wah' (also pronounced 'kin-d-ah' 'kween-o-wah' 'kino-ah' 'queen-know-hah'), I understand it's really good!" (Quinoa-sounds like 'keen-wah')

"Tar-ee (yes, even MY name isn't immune!) my mom has been using 'calm-fart' (also heard as 'clam-fart' & 'calm-fort'--really!) and I'd like to get some more for her while I'm here."
(Calms Forte' is used for relaxation & sleep. Pronounced as 'fore-tay'. 'Clam-fart'...really!!!)

Toxicity, Organics & Made In The U.S.A.!

For those of you that know me (and for those of you that I haven't met...yet) know that I feel very strongly about several things: what I do in my chosen profession as well as the items that are part of it!

With that said, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit a small manufacturer located in Oconomowoc Wisconsin. What's so special about this company? Well, a couple of things: Organic Wool, Organic cotton, Made In The U.S.A. beds & bedding! I would like to tell you about, The Wool Bed Company of Kerry Hill Farms.

Of the MANY wonderful things about this company--is it's close proximity to our state! What this means as a consumer--it's close enough, (approximately 3 hours drive time) that if you want to experience their products first hand (you know--the "touchy-feely" kind of thing) this could be accomplished in one morning (or afternoon, as in my case.)

This company raises their own sheep (400 sheep from what Susan tells me); covers this AMAZING wool with certified Organic cotton cloth (purchased from a mill in South Carolina--cotton grown here in the U.S.A.!) All these items are hand-stuffed, hand-sewn, and "hand-tufted". (For those of you unfamiliar with this term: tufting consists of running yarn from the top layer fabric through the material contained in the center, to the bottom layer of the fabric (and tying it off with a knot) to prevent the center contents from "shifting.")

Do you have environmental-allergies? Are you aware that your bedding (this includes you mattress too!) can be a major factor in contributing to you sensitivities? The "flame-retardant" chemicals required by law, alone are enough to give even the most healthiest of us, some physical reactions! Add to this, the "sizing" and "dyes" that are used in your sheets, blankets and comforters... and it's enough to make your head spin!

In the field of work that I do, "toxicity" is an issue brought up by our customers almost everyday! Observing the immune-imbalances, (as well as the changes in cognitive function with our youngest of customers), often resultant of their day-to-day toxicity exposure through diet, water and environment, is almost overwhelming! As time marches forward, it becomes even more apparent, that we (as consumers and parents) need to be pro-active in cutting toxic-chemical exposure wherever possible! This also means paying attention to where you spend two-thirds of your life--in bed sleeping!!!

Take a moment, to think about the amount of hours you spend lying in one location...breathing in the "off-gassing" of a new mattress, new sheets, new comforter...new pillows...over and over...for hours! I'm sure you've heard of "new-house" syndrome--where all the paint, drywall compounds, flooring adhesives, counter top & cabinet sealers, caulking, wall and window sealers, carpeting...(well, you get the idea!) oozes into a now, well insulated and draft-free sealed interior of your home. This wonderful "cocktail" of toxic chemistry can (and often does) affect your body! The same is true of your chemistry exposure with your bed and bedding! Take a moment and think about this...

Do you have options? Of course you do! Is it worth the extra expense? It depends on where you place the value of your health & immune system! Quality-of-life (not just quantity) should weigh in here!

I want you to take a moment to check out this company; I did! I spent quite a bit of time researching the information out on the web, in order to get it through my head--THIS IS IMPORTANT! As much time as I spend teaching about diet and supplements...I feel the importance of emphasizing environmental-toxicity exposure too!

Oh, by the way...The Wool Bed Company also manufacturers pet beds (I had the delightful opportunity of meeting Susan's barking "four-legged" companions, whose photo graces her web-site!) as well as crib mattresses and bedding too!

If you would like to view the information Susan has compiled on The Wool Bed Company, you can either visit her web-site OR stop by our business; we have a binder with information & pricing, here in-store that Susan has so graciously given us!
www.surroundewe.com
You can also call: 1-888-WOOL BED