In which, I almost never shopped with Barnes and Noble again.

On February 23rd I went to Barnes & Noble.  When all was said and done my total came to $132.38 (I got a lot of books).  And I almost left without spending a dime of that. BECAUSE the guy at the register was such a pushy jerk to me that I almost said "Never mind."  And walked out of there empty-handed.  But I just let it go, got my books, and got out of there.

And I told myself, "Self, don't ever go back to that Barnes and Noble."  And I haven't. . . .until March 2nd.  I was in the area, and in need of a Barnes and Noble gift card.  And not even thinking about it, I said to myself "Self, there is no way the same guy is gonna be working so just go in here, get the gift card, leave."

So I go in there.  I get the gift card (and a few other things) and go to the counter.  And then I see that the same jerk is standing nearby and my heart sinks. And I have a bad feeling I am gonna have to fight with him over not having a Barnes and Noble membership card again.

But wait. . . here comes another guy!  And I breathe a sigh of relief thinking "Yay! I don't have to deal with the same jerk again."  And this new guy walks over, says "Hi', says "Bye" and keeps walking. And I am beginning to worry when he laughs and says "Just kidding, find everything you need?"  And immediately I am in a better mood.

This guy is sarcastic but funny, and not rude (though he wasn't ginger either*) and I thought "I can do this because this guy is being nice and has a sense of humor and isn't shoving a Barnes and Noble membership down my throat."  So he is adding up all my stuff and we're laughing and he ends up asking me if I want a bag at the same time I ask for a bag and we both end up laughing.

And having never put in a good word for someone for being kind before, on Monday morning I called Barnes and Noble and put in a good word for the guy because it is people like him that deserve recognition for their small acts of kindness that people don't realize make a huge difference when they really do! And my faith in Barnes and Noble staff has been restored, and I will continue shopping there on occasion.

And because it fits and I can, I leave you with a quote from The Hobbit.

"Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love." 

~ Gandalf

The Hobbit 

*Bonus points if you get the ginger reference*